We visit Villa Marcolina 57 at least a few times a year, drawn by the fantastic set-up and laid-back vibe.
The facilities are well worth the visit and a rare mix too: large gardens to explore, several bowls for skateboarding and rollerblading, and even a fishing pond where you can hop in a kayak. The place is owned and operated by a very friendly, it’s not too big (around 20-ish rooms), which makes us feel safe enough to let our kids roam freely (boy do they need it!).
Even for those who are not looking to be active, it’s a nice place to get away from the city: the staff works tirelessly to keep the gardens in tip top shape and the surrounding hills are lush with trees and rice fields.
We usually come here with a few other families, kids run around, fish, and rollerblade while we adults just enjoy each other’s company and the change of scenery.
Quick tip: there is no restaurant on site (they only provide prebooked meals for groups of 20+ pax) so we’d normally pack food, order via GoFood (limited options) and eat nearby at the Vimala hotel which is only 10 min away (Talaga Sampireun for Indonesian food, or Mad Cow for Western). There are other options nearby which we havent tried yet but look nice: Teras Gadog, RayaFood Garden…
I would NOT recommend this place for a quiet getaway: Villa Marcolina is usually packed on weekends with skateboarding enthusiasts, everyone knows each other, it’s very friendly and festive but also very noisy (think loud music or karaoke). Even during weekdays, when Villa Marcolina is usually empty, nearby properties accommodate very large groups who can be very very loud.
The rooms are what you’d expect when glamping: the chalets are made of wood and shake whenever someone takes a step, the room are a bit dusty but it’s all manageable for a short stay.
What to pack:
- Skateboards / scooters/ roller blades
- Any outdoor games (balls, badminton rackets, fishing equipment…)
- Swimsuits (although the water can be cold)
- Warm clothes (it rains much more than in Jakarta and the temperature can drop to 20degrees in the evening/night)
- Something to keep kids busy in case of rain (boardgames, books…)
- Snacks
- Your dog! Villa Marcolina is pet-friendly