Anyone who is a regular visitor to Bali likely knows the hype around Canggu, the thriving tourist hotspot that has experienced a major uptick in recent years.It is easy to see why. Canggu features incredible beach clubs, a very creative dining scene, from casual, cool cafes to high-end options, as well as popular gyms and plenty of markets. There’s no shortage of places to visit, or incredible food to eat. Canggu’s trendy charm is exactly what drew Australian couple and property co-founders Tess Keddie and Tim Dugdale to the destination. The husband and wife duo built The Cali Villas in 2022, widely known as one of Bali’s most successful boutique accommodation offerings and still a favourite among Aussie influencers today. Following their initial success, it was a no-brainer to expand with a second location.“Tim had over 10 years experience working in Bali prior and The Cali was our first venture into villas,” Tess told news.com.au. “We wanted to offer a villa experience in Bali that wasn’t like the rest. Drawing on inspiration from our travels to LA, we built what is now the iconic Cali Villas on Jalan Nelayan, one of Canggu’s most popular streets.”The Huntley Villas, located less than half an hour on foot from The Cali, opened in 2025 and the new offering was declared “Bali’s hottest opening” of the year by The Urban List. With burnt orange pops of colour throughout, retro touches, and artwork from the one and only celeb photographer Slim Aarons, The Huntley is an equally beautiful space created by the same craftspeople who brought the Aussie couple’s first project to life.Tess revealed they drew on the nostalgic charm of West Hollywood in California; a “place where resort glamour lives on in every sunset and silhouette”.“We’ve taken everything we’ve learned about what our guests respond to from The Cali and evolved it. At The Huntley, there’s a bit more focus on wellness spaces, with a neutral palette that creates this really calming atmosphere,” the co-owner and founder explained. Think Palm Springs’ most luxe star-studded getaway, but instead, you’re just moments away from the heartbeat of Canggu. Private pools with leafy greenery, marble finishes, the spiral staircase of your dreams, a guest-only gym, sauna and ice bath. All of the luxuries of a hotel within the privacy of a villa. “Drawing on 70s resort architecture, desert palettes and distinctive design elements, we envisioned a destination where California’s desert glamour would blend with Bali’s charm and nature. The Huntley is the physical manifestation of this,” Tess added.The villas recently went viral on social media after hosting an activation with The Upside, a four-day wellness retreat attended by Aussie influencers and friends of the activewear brand to showcase their latest collection. With morning pilates, colourful smoothies, exquisite food, mocktails, and matching activewear, all set against the dreamy background of The Huntley, it proved to be the perfect collab. Why Canggu?“Canggu offers this perfect balance that’s hard to find elsewhere in Bali,” Tess said of the area that has become her family’s second home. “You’ve got amazing beach access and surf breaks, but also this incredible food scene with both local warungs and innovative restaurants. It’s got a more relaxed vibe than Seminyak but still plenty happening.”The village has developed extensively over the last five to seven years in response to tourism popularity, and during that time the hotel owner says consumer behaviour has changed a lot too.“Hotels and resorts used to be the most popular option for travellers, but nowadays people want the privacy, space and freedom of villas to holiday how they want.”The couples’ vision with The Huntley was to offer the best of both worlds – freedom and the privacy of stand-alone villas coupled with the hotel luxuries of reception, daily housekeeping, security and in-villa dining options.“Alongside surfing, there is so much to do in Canggu now. It really has become such a global destination people put on their list like Ubud and Nusa Dua.” When it comes to the popularity of the island hotspot, tourists continue to flock to Indonesia in record numbers. Bali in particular continues to thrive as a popular destination, with just over a million tourists visiting in March this year alone — a 10.50 per cent increase on the same month last year.Indonesia saw 121,980 Aussies visit during that month, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).In April this year, Indonesia saw 161,700 Aussies return home after visiting – a jump from 139,910 in April 2025. The destination also shot past Australia’s other neighbouring country, New Zealand, in terms of popularity – with 138,040 Aussies returning from New Zealand in the month of March versus 135,190 returning in April. For Tess and Tim, Melbournians with two children who have split their time between Australia and Bali for almost seven years now – and for so many Aussies – Bali isn’t just a holiday destination, it’s their happy place, and they return year after year.“You step off the plane and instantly feel this wonderful mix of excitement and peace that’s hard to find anywhere else,” Tess said.“What I adore about Bali is how it offers something for absolutely everyone. One trip you might be all about the surf and beach clubs in Canggu, the next you’re doing a wellness retreat in Ubud, and then you’re exploring the incredible food scene in Uluwatu.“The pandemic really showed just how strong that Australian-Bali connection is, the moment borders reopened, Aussies were the first ones back. I honestly believe Bali will always have a special place in Australian hearts.”The writer was a guest of The Huntley Villas