By HTE Founder, Erin Hughes.
Tucked away in a hidden corner of Bali is Jelly Fish Villas & Banana Lounge– a boutique escape where the food is thoughtful, the service is heartfelt, and the villas feel like a home away from home. It’s the brainchild of Sunshine Coast native Melissa Moyle, who, alongside her husband Jason, officially opened the doors in September 2022.
The journey to get there was anything but simple. After leasing the land back in 2018, Melissa and Jason broke ground in January 2020 – just weeks before COVID would grind the world to a halt. But patience (and persistence) paid off. Now, Jelly Fish Villas & Banana Lounge has quietly become a destination loved for its warm atmosphere, beautifully curated spaces, and that feeling you’ve just stepped into a close friend’s tropical home.
For Melissa, the inspiration came naturally. After working in retail for over a decade, honing her skills in customer experience and service, and assisting to run a commercial landscaping business with Jason, she was ready for something new. They’d always loved Bali (Jason’s been coming since he was 18) and after selling their business in 2007, decided to make the move.
“I wanted to build something boutique,” Melissa says. “A space with beautiful service and a restaurant that really offered quality food and drinks.”
Drawing from places she adored, like The Living Room in Petitenget, and her own passion for entertaining at home, the vision for Jelly Fish Villas & Banana Lounge was born: a cosy, relaxed space where guests would feel well looked after and completely at ease.
Melissa and Jason worked side by side on the concept. While Jason handled the construction, Melissa led the design and aesthetic, collaborating with a draftsman she’d worked with before. Her goal was simple but specific:
“I wanted it to feel open, earthy, tropical… with boutique Balinese vibes and modern comfort,” she says. Unpretentious but beautiful, relaxed but thoughtfully designed. The villas and pool lounge reflect exactly that.
There are five one-bedroom villas and one two-bedroom villa on-site, each with its own plunge pool and calming, tropical aesthetic. All the one-bedroom villas are identical in design, while the two-bedroom space offers a little more room, but the signature earthy, luxe feel runs throughout. What sets Jelly Fish Villas apart is the experience itself. Guests get the best of both worlds: privacy in their villa, but also a restaurant, pool and service that makes them feel part of something special. There’s room service, a WhatsApp butler, turn-down service and a real emphasis on quality food. “We’re not just a place to sleep,” Melissa says. “We’re an experience.”
Managing Jelly Fish Villas & Banana Lounge has become a deeply personal project for Melissa. “I love what I do, and it’s an extension of who we are,” she says. “Everything I’ve learned over the last decade, from design to food to service, I’ve been able to apply here.” The autonomy is what she loves most, but like any business owner, there are challenges too. Awareness is key when you’re tucked away in a hidden spot. “We’re a destination, you won’t stumble across us walking by, so we have to work hard on marketing,” she admits.
Still, the rewards far outweigh the hurdles. Guests often tell Melissa how relaxed and looked after they feel, like they’re in Bali, not just another generic resort. You can stay tucked away in your villa or wander out to the pool lounge to be social, it’s all up to you.
“I want people to feel like they’re at home in Bali. Relaxed, nourished and connected, to themselves and the environment around them,” she says.
That sense of connection also flows into Jelly Fish Villas’ growing focus on retreats and wellness workshops. Melissa has hosted several already and has more planned for the year ahead. “It’s a big focus for us,” she says.
These days, Melissa lives in Bali with Jason and their two grown kids, Bede (21) and Gabriela (18). It’s peaceful, beautiful and safe, with the beach close by and those famous Bali sunsets just steps away. The villas suit couples, solo travellers and families alike, striking that sweet balance of privacy and community.
So, you’ve booked your trip to Jelly Fish Villas, what’s Melissa’s top tips?
- Catch a sunset
- Visit Impossibles Beach at low tide and swim in the rock pools.
- Take a morning walk on the beach (dogs welcome!).
- Book a private dinner on their ocean-view deck at Banana Lounge
- Head to Istana in Uluwatu for a digital detox – think cold plunge, sauna and no phones. “It’s divine,” she says.
It’s these thoughtful touches and lived-in warmth that make Jelly Fish Villas & Banana Lounge something special – a boutique stay that’s far from ordinary, and all heart.
