If Damai feels like a home, it is perhaps because it once was one. The resort started as the dream of building a home on a hill in Bali when a Danish advertising executive passed by this beautiful, unspoiled village in the early 1990s. Even now, decades later, when this dream of a home has grown into the region’s premier resort, Damai retains the original dream in its DNA. The many personal touches, the private gardens, the collections of antiques often make you feel like you are staying in the villa of a friend, rather than in a hotel. If your friend has a staff of 100 friendly Balinese, that is.

The villas are beautiful, the restaurant and spa are outstanding and the views are sometimes unforgettable. But what truly makes staying at Damai a unique experience is the staff. Many have been with the resort since the very beginning. Most are from Kayuputih, Damai’s village, or one of the neighbouring villages, like Kaliasem or Kalibukbuk. But all will welcome you with the typical grace of Balinese hospitality, just as they would if you were a guest in their home.