Ubud | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Bali Indonesia luxury home

June 17, 2014 by David Herd

Albert Mantello’s beautiful home

Bali Indonesia luxury home staying at the beautiful waterfront home owned by Albert Mantello who was an ex North Melbourne Aussie Rules footballer & North Melbourne football club president Allen Aylett, who was another famous footballer was there as well, plus Ron Joseph, a well know North Melbourne supporter and a players agent.

The Mantellos bought a long-term lease on a beach front property in the now fashionable Semanyak region and built a grand villa called Atas Ombak. It sleeps 10, boasts a pool, private beach, 5000 square metres of land and 25 staff including five cooks and its yours for $US1250-$US2000 a night depending on the season.

Villa Atas Ombak, Indonesian for “Villa On Top of The Waves”, is directly located on the beach only a few kilometres north of Legian. Featuring breathtaking views of Bali’s famous sunsets, the Villa encompasses an acre and a half of garden area, with over 100 meters of beach frontage. It also includes a large swimming pool, a main building with three bedrooms, a large entertainment pavilion that functions as an open-air living room, and two separate Ocean rooms. Located far enough away from the tourist crowds to ensure total privacy, this villa is still close enough to offer easy access to Bali’s favourite shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Bali Indonesia luxury home

What a fantastic setting for a Balinese massage, this is the way to live in Bali.

`Bali Indonesia friends, lunch is served`

I was invited by my friend Ross Ansell who was a good friend of Alberts. Ross is at the head of the table, Albert is on the left. A huge bonus was Ettore who was the editor for a Melbourne Soccer magazine. He flew two models to Bali for a photo shoot. I really had a great time in Bali with friends both old & new.

Naturally I had to get among the action

Of course I had to hover around the photo shoots to see if I could pick up any tips. 🙂

Some of Albert’s many staff

There were cooks, gardeners, carpenters, security, you name it, in Bali Albert had them all.

The Melbourne crew

Ron Joseph and Alan Aylett, North Melbourne fanatics.

Ettore & Ross Ansell on the plane to Bali

Two very nice Melbourne guys.

Cocktail time at Albert’s home

Two gorgeous Melbourne girls, what about that magnificent black dress?

Sadly Albert passed away September 29 2021

Albert Mantello passed away at the ripe old age of 87. I’ll never forget a fabulous holiday we had in 1997 at Alberts beautiful home you see above, RIP Albert.

The photo was taken at my home on the Gold Coast featuring Albert & Paul Lynch.

One of the many horse statues

There are many of these similar statues on or near roundabouts in Bali, this on is close to Kuta beach

Kupu Kupu Barong Villas And Tree Spa

This is a wonderful hotel in the mountains at Ubud

Kapu Kapu Barong

A beautiful setting with views to die for.

Street market in Ubud

As you can imagine everything here is rather inexpensive.

Great Bali golf hole

I can’t remember if I hit the green or not, probably not. 🙂

Hotel Serai on the coast

I think this Serai hotel may have changed its name. It was on the eastern shore of Bali at Candidasa, however while I was looking for it on Agoda I found this beautiful hotel The Rama Candidasa Resort.

My room was beside the pool

There is so much more to Bali than Kuta beach or Legian, there are some wonderful luxury resorts scattered along the coastline. So if you want to escape from the maddening crowds check out The Rama Candidasa Resort.

Reunion lunch at Lynch’s in Domain Rd South Yarra.

A short time after my Bali Indonesia friends adventure we gathered at the famous Lynch’s restaurant in Melbourne. I’m on the left beside Ross Ansell, then Albert Mantello & Paul Lynch the restaurant owner, not sure who the lady was, and finally Ettore on the right. Sadly this famous restaurant now does not exist after the retirement of founder Paul Lynch in December 2007.

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It would be 11 long years before I returned to Bali in 2008, and there is no way I had the same fun as I had at Albert’s beautiful home in 1997 with a fascinating group of people.