By HTE Founder, Erin Hughes.
Need a family holiday without the stress? These thoughtfully curated villas are designed for real families – with all the extras you didn’t know you needed, and none of the overwhelm.
By the time her first child was walking and talking, Emily O’Neill had already relocated from Melbourne to Bali and started laying the foundations of a business that would change the way families holiday on the island.
“I started Bali Family Villas more than 15 years ago,” Emily says, reflecting on the journey. “It all began organically. I was pregnant with my second child and looking for a way to work that allowed me to prioritise my family, without giving up on purpose or creativity.” What started as a small idea quickly became a thriving business, and a full-blown calling.
Today, Bali Family Villas is still run by Emily and her husband, alongside a dedicated team of long-term local staff who feel more like extended family. Together, they offer a boutique portfolio of hand-picked villas across the island, all carefully vetted and customised for families, complete with toy baskets, pool fencing, baby gear and a seamless sense of support.
The team doesn’t just hand over a villa key, they offer grocery shopping, connect guests with trusted nannies, arrange chefs, and ensure families are set up with everything from cots and highchairs to local tips and custom itineraries. “We want people to feel relaxed, supported, and recharged,” Emily says. “Like they’re at home, but better.”
Originally from Melbourne, Emily now lives full-time in Bali with her husband and three children, aged 12, 14, and 17. The move was born out of a desire for a slower, more connected way of life – and it delivered. “For us, the lifestyle here is unbeatable,” she says. “We’re part of a multicultural community, we eat incredible food, spend time at the beach, and have a flexible work schedule that gives us more time together as a family.”
But it’s not without its challenges. Raising teens in Bali comes with logistical hurdles, especially when it comes to driving laws, access, and planning for life after secondary school. “We’ll always call Bali home, but as the kids grow up, we’ll likely split our time more between here and Australia or wherever they choose to go.”
So what sets Bali Family Villas apart from all the other local accommodation options? In a word – care. “We’re not about mass listings or filling rooms,” Emily explains. “It’s about quality, not quantity. Each villa has been chosen with intention, and we stay close with villa owners to ensure high standards are maintained.”
This also means letting go of villas that no longer meet their criteria, especially post-pandemic as the island evolves quickly. “Managing expectations and quality control is one of the hardest parts of the business,” she admits. “But we’d rather keep things manageable and meaningful.”
For Emily, the most rewarding part of the job is helping other families feel held. “Creating stress-free holidays where parents can actually relax, and kids can feel truly welcome, that’s the magic.”
She believes family travel should be both enriching and effortless, and her team goes above and beyond to make that happen. Whether it’s booking a sunset dinner, organising a massage in-villa, or just ensuring the coffee machine is stocked, the goal is always the same: ease.
So, what’s Emily’s advice for families heading to Bali?
● Don’t overschedule – leave room for spontaneity.
● Chase sunsets – they’re pure magic here.
● Say yes to pampering – massages and spa sessions are part of the experience.
● Let kids be kids – embrace the slower, spontaneous rhythm.
● Try something new – from local food to day trips, there’s always something to discover.
Running a business while raising a family isn’t without its juggle, but Emily’s found her rhythm. “It’s about strong boundaries, teamwork, and knowing when to outsource,” she says.
“Each season of life brings new challenges, but we find being in Bali makes it easier to stay balanced.”
Whether you’re dreaming of a tropical escape or planning your next family adventure, Bali Family Villas offers more than a place to stay, it’s a thoughtful, wholehearted experience curated by someone who truly gets what family travel should feel like.
