They are undeterred by continuing terrorism warnings, the world’s deteriorating economic situation or even the island’s wine shortage. Sean Brennan, the Australian general manager of Alila Villas Uluwatu, says one of the buyers of the three-bedroom villas is a Sydneysider. Two others are Australian expatriates living in Jakarta and another in Hong Kong.

Mr Brennan says 13 of the 26 villas have sold off the plan and could attract rents as high as $4500 a night from wealthy Chinese or Russians. But the buyers so far are so rich they plan to keep their purchases as their own holiday homes.

“They’ll pay a monthly maintenance fee of about $US1000 ($1500) and use it for three or four weeks a year,” he says.

The complex, developed by the Indonesian-owned Alila group, is in Bali’s newest development hot spot, the southern Bukit region.

Australians, who cannot buy freehold property in Indonesia unless they marry a local, are offered a 100-year lease at Alila.

Australian Lewis Norman, who owns Alu Bali villas in the upmarket restaurant haven Seminyak, says: “They have a second home and a holiday home here that generates income. But you need to do due diligence … before you buy.”

Former Sydneysider Saxon Looker had the job of selling the Sentosa villas in Seminyak during the Schapelle Corby trial, followed by the second Bali bombing. Half the villas sold to Australians.

Mike Pugh, of Exotiq Real Estate in Seminyak, says the prices of some luxury villas have fallen 30 per cent because of the financial crisis. News from canberratimes.com.au

An expatriate Irishman Mr Murphy joins the upmarket boutique property with a wealth of international experience.

Prior to his arrival in Bali Mr Murphy enjoyed a two year stint as General Manager of the five-star The Gumaya Hotel  in Semarang, Central Java.

His time in Asia also includes four years in China where he managed several hotels – two in Shanghai and a further property in the city of Nantong.

Mr Murphy also has more than 20 years experience in US-based hotel management.

The Dreamland Luxury Villas Bali is located close to Uluwatu and a short distance from secluded Dreamland beach.

The resort offers 42 extremely private villas, each with 3 x 8 meter private pool, flat screen TV, DVD player and home theatre system, fully-stocked bar and outside Balinese-style gazebo.

One bedroom villa suites feature a personal Jacuzzi while one bedroom garden villa suites feature a waterfall spa.

The resort’ s facilities include a main pool, restaurant specialising in both Asian and western Cuisine, the Dream Spa and aromatherapy massage centre and a business centre with free Internet access.

The resort also offers a regular complimentary shuttle bus service to Dreamland beach and Kuta area.

The Dreamland Luxury Villas & Spa is represented by The Little Bali Hotel & Resort Company. News from etravelblackboard.com