Villa Istana

The Istana is located on southwestern tip of Bali in an area named the Bukit. This five bedroom estate overlooks white sand beaches and a blue lagoon abundant with fish and living coral, and offers a prime location from which to witness the island's stunning sunsets. When the trade winds blow, a massive swell from the Pacific Ocean crashes onto the reefs surrounding the area creating waves that attract surfers from around the world; the breaks are rated to be the fifth best in the world, and Uluwatu beach is only a ten minute walk from the villa. With the property located so close to the holy Pura Uluwatu, one of island's nine mother temples, the site is spiritually inspiring and undeniably unique. The staffing is of luxury hotel level with restaurant-standard food, a live-in manager and butler service, all devoted to facilitating intimate service among private splendor.

Location: Uluwatu
Number of bedrooms: 5
Capacity : 10 people
Total Area of Property: 5200m2
Total Area of Living Areas: 625m2

Ensuring the privacy and security of its guests, The Istana, which is Indonesian for 'Palace', is surrounded by an imposing white wall, and it is accessed through a constantly manned massive wooden gate. Within, is a large parking area which accommodates many vehicles, facilitating hosting large groups and events such as weddings. Flamboyans and flame trees line the wall, providing shade, with flowering pink, white, and red oleander and fragrant lilac planted below. The modern kitchen, which is fitted with state of the art commercial grade equipment, is in this vicinity, set apart from the rest of the structures.

Lotus water gardens flank the streamlined covered wooden walkway leading from the entrance into the main house, forming a straight line of sight leading all the way through the living room, over the central swimming pool, to the horizon. The colour of the pool water blends into the backdrop, merging within the mind's eye, to that point that the pool becomes an extension of the Pacific Ocean that lies beyond it.

Pool - Villa Istana Master Suite - Villa Istana

The main garden is decorated with palms, heliconias and ferns, mixed with white flowering Spider lilies, Aturium, and dwarf lilacs, whilst the gnarled trunks of numerous frangipanis lead the view upward to their magnificent, flowering blooms. The tropical flora shades the side of the house and creates a privacy screen from parking area and kitchen, while the water-ponds serve to naturally cool the living room with the help of the south-easterly breezes.

The walkway leads to the huge open-air living room, which overlooks this breathtaking estate. The living room is located at the center of the building, and the rich teak wood floors are accented by the eight-meter high, self-supported, exposed cathedral ceiling. Matching natural wood wardrobes, and a stunning U-shaped sofa bed surrounding a matching table enable the décor to maintain a natural cozy interior, and a large white limestone carving, depicting the legendary establishment of Uluwatu, accents the right wall. The carving represents the arrival of the priest Pedanda Sakti Wawu Rauh, who, according to legend, came to Bali from Java riding on a Kaluwih tree leaf in A.D. 1546, and achieved Moska, Hindu liberation, at the spot at which the temple was then established.

The open view offers constantly changing natural lighting as the sun moves in the sky from dawn to dusk and into night. At nighttime, with tactfully placed ambient lighting accenting the villa's design, one is immersed in the interior, and the villa becomes it's own expansive private world.

Two symmetrical wings attached to the living room accommodate the bar and dining room to the left, and the Dotcom room to the right. Both rooms are slightly separated from the rest of the space, and are fully paneled internally and externally with teakwood, evoking a warm comfortable feel. The impressive dining room table consists of one solid slab of teakwood, and easily seats ten. This air-conditioned area is enclosed by four sets of swinging glass doors that can be opened if desired, and overlooks the lily gardens to one side, and the expanse of the ocean to the other. The specially designed lighting fixtures in the dining room offer an intimate atmosphere, complimented by the meditative sounds of the water feature in the garden.

The bar area is connected to the dining room by a glass door, and from here one can look into the living room and out over the entire property. Chic barstools line the bar, offering a prime location to enjoy a refreshing cocktail.

The Dotcom room is an enclosed air-conditioned space, which can be opened up if desired to overlook both the front and back of the estate. Dominating the room is a massive relaxation couch, which easily seats the capacity of the house, covered in Thai silk pillows, which faces the wide-screen projection TV and entertainment centre. Alcoves in the back feature desks and internet access, providing a convenient place to catch up with the outside world.

Four bedrooms are located down open corridors, two of which lead past the dining room, and two of which lead past the Dotcom room. Each suite entry is decorated with carved limestone blocks representing traditional Ikat weavings from the islands of Flores and Sumba.

Pool - Villa Istana Suite Room - Villa Istana

Each of the four matching suites is comprised of a bedroom with a capacious walk-in closet, and indoor and outdoor Bali-style bathrooms. All of the bedroom walls are faced with timber paneling to mid-height with white sand wash on top, leading up to the high cathedral timber-lined ceilings with ceiling fans, and air-conditioning.

The furniture in the bedrooms was designed especially for The Istana, as were the exquisite lighting fixtures, and are made exclusively of recycled teakwood. The décor in each room is primarily the same, with differences in the color schemes. All of the bedrooms are walled on two sides by folding glass doors which open up to the private gardens in the case of the bedrooms facing the entrance of the property, and on the other side which open onto the ocean.

Each bedrooms' ensuite bathroom is walled in white sandstone and feature bands of intricate designs in carved stone. All have huge teak-framed mirrors above twin vanities set in wood. The indoor showers have huge rain-heads, and are enclosed on two sides with glass but open to open-air private gardens with sunken bathtubs, allowing for immersion al fresco.

The master bedroom is located within the guesthouse, which is separate from and slightly more elevated than, the main building, and set back so as to offer complete privacy. It has its own entrance way, parking facilities, and private swimming pool. The L-shape pool is two and a half meters deep and is faced with a black volcanic stone. It has its own outdoor shower and lounge chairs.