When Patrick Coward, the entrepreneurial force behind Western Australia’s celebrated Margaret River Chocolate Company and Coward & Black Vineyards first stepped through the unassuming entrance of Villa Samuan in Seminyak, Bali, he wasn’t looking to buy a property in Bali. But what he found there was more than a place to stay – it was a legacy – one steeped in art, culture, and soul.
In October 2019, Patrick and his friend Daniel Frichot booked Villa Samuan for what was meant to be a relaxing holiday. They had visited Bali before, but this time, something felt different. The villa immediately struck a chord – aesthetically, emotionally and spiritually.
“We weren’t looking to buy a property,” Patrick says. “We were looking to unwind. But from the moment we arrived, we sensed something extraordinary. There was a quiet elegance to the villa, a calmness that felt curated, lived-in, and deeply human.”
“Everything about Villa Samuan was truly magical,” Patrick says. “It had a soul… I fell deeply and profoundly in love with the place.”
As their stay unfolded, so too did the story behind the property, one not just of design and luxury, but of guardianship. “We discovered that the villa was for sale but that the owners were not looking for a buyer,” Patrick explains. “They were looking for custodians not only of the villa but of the curated artwork collection, their furniture, and their incredible world-class collection of artefacts and antiquities.”
Before they left, Patrick and Daniel met with owners, and within an hour both the owners, and Patrick and Daniel, knew that the villa had come to them. They began the private acquisition process – not out of impulse, but with a sense of duty to preserve something truly rare.
An Architectural Dialogue Between Continents
Conceived by Hans Witt, founder of Amsterdam’s acclaimed 03 Architects, and his husband Rien Bekkers, head designer for the Dutch Opera, Villa Samuan is a profound meeting of European design precision and Balinese soul.
Starting from scratch, the pair built the villa from the ground up, refining every detail. Vaulted ceilings reach four metres, clad in hand-cut coconut wood shingles that have aged to a warm, earthy patina. Volcanic stone, polished concrete, and tropical hardwoods interplay with open-air pavilions and indoor-outdoor transitions that echo traditional Balinese compounds.
“The materials were selected with time in mind,” Patrick explains. “Everything from the stone, the timber, the roofing, was chosen to grow more beautiful with age. It was a philosophy, not just a design choice.”
From the high walled, private exterior, I’s not possible to see the grandeur of the excusive compound that lies within. But inside, Villa Samuan unfolds like a gallery — each space a carefully lit stage for art, conversation, and rest.
A Museum in Disguise
As Patrick and Daniel explored deeper, they began to understand that Villa Samuan was no ordinary holiday home. “There was a library and artworks collected over decades, some commissioned, some ceremonial,” Patrick says. “We walked down a long corridor, turned a quiet corner, and there was a Matisse on the wall.”
Indeed, the villa is home to works by Picasso, Matisse, Indonesian masters, and European modernists, as well as antique Javanese puppets, ceremonial masks, and Balinese sculpture with spiritual significance. Tucked into corners are Bekkers’ original theatre costumes, many of them hand-sewn and worn on European stages.
“This wasn’t a curated art collection for tourists,” Patrick explains. “It was an intimate autobiography told through objects. Each piece had a place, a story, a reason to be here.”
Remarkably, all of this remains in the villa today – unaltered, intact, and lovingly maintained.
Discreet, Private, Utterly Luxurious
Situated just 300 metres from Seminyak Beach, Villa Samuan consists of two exclusive private villas Villa Kalih (2-bedroom) and Villa Siki (3-bedroom) that have been masterfully designed to seamlessly offer one large 5 bedroom estate when desired. Though centrally located in Bali’s vibrant Oberoi District, the villa remains hidden from view, shielded by high walls, dense tropical gardens, and a private cul-de-sac entry.
Each villa has its own pool, outdoor lounge, dining pavilion, and spa-style bathrooms, blending complete autonomy with the potential for larger gatherings. The configuration of the estate offers the opportunity for large groups to come together while also offering multiple spaces for privacy.
The estate also includes a charcoal-filtered, UV-sterilised water system that supplies drinking quality water to every tap within the estate – a rarity in Bali, and a 61kVa Cummins diesel generator, providing seamless backup power.
“This is one of the few properties where you can be entirely off-grid if you needed to be,” Patrick says. “It’s designed for both beauty and resilience.”
A Staff That Feels Like Family
For all the grandeur of its architecture and art, the heart of Villa Samuan beats strongest through its people. Many of the staff have served the property for more than a decade. Their knowledge, grace, and discretion are woven into every guest experience.
“The more we saw of the place and the more we heard their story, the more we realised this was much more than a building,” Patrick reflects. “It was art itself. The art of harmony, of mutual respect, of complementary skills, of co-operation, of vision, of ingenuity, wisdom, generosity and kindness.”
Daily butler service, in villa chef-prepared meals, barista coffee, on-site massages, and airport transfers are all included – not as luxurious extras, but as intuitive expressions of care.
“Some of our team still wear ceremonial headpieces for formal occasions. There’s immense pride in what they do. And you feel that.”
A Seamless Evolution of a Life in Experience
With the Margaret River Chocolate Company and Coward & Black Vineyards, Patrick has long crafted experiences that blend taste, place, and memory. The acquisition of Villa Samuan was less a shift in direction than a continuation of that ethos.
“People talk about luxury, but this is something deeper,” he says.
“There are beautiful villas all over Bali. But there’s only one Villa Samuan.”
VILLA SAMUAN – FACT FILE
– Location: Oberoi District, Seminyak, Bali
– Accommodation: Villa Kalih (2BR), Villa Siki (3BR), or both combined as the Villa Samuan Panca (5BR estate) meaning – A grand Balinese retreat!
– Architect: Hans Witt, 02 Architects (Amsterdam)
– Design Features: Vaulted 4m ceilings, hand-cut coconut wood shingles, volcanic stone, tropical hardwoods
– Art Collection: Works by Picasso, Matisse, Rien Bekkers, ancient Asian antiquities and a curated selection of traditional Javanese and Balinese pieces collected over 40 years
– Systems: UV & charcoal-filtered water, 61kVa Cummins diesel generator
– Services: Butler, chef, barista, massage, airport transfers
– Rates Low Season for 2025/2026:
2 Bedroom Kalih: From USD $480 per night
3 Bedroom Siki: From USD $795 per night
5 Bedroom Panca: From USD $1,275 per night
Book your luxury Bali escape at www.villasamuan.com
