Deep in the heart of Bali, perched on a
venerated spur of land at the confluence of two rivers, is the stunning
hideaway known as Villa Vajra.
Designed by the internationally acclaimed architect, Guy
Morgan, this modern, spacious villa sleeps
up to seven guests and offers the ultimate in
luxurious accommodation within a totally private and exclusive,
close-to-nature setting.
The property and gardens
are landscaped into the slopes of the steep valley, and the approach,
via a raised wooden walkway through undisturbed rice fields, gives no
clue to the remarkable design of the villa, or the
breathtaking views of the jungle and river gorge.
Constructed with high quality local materials
including ‘alang alang’ thatch, Palimanan stone and teak wood; the
property combines the very best of Balinese architectural elements with
contemporary flair, elegant finishes and modern amenities. The
villa presents a blend of outdoor living and air-conditioned comfort.
Villa Vajra is named after the
quintessential symbol of Vajrayana Buddhism, a
five-pronged ritual object often employed in conjunction with a bell.
The Vajra is
represented by a carving in a freestanding stone at the main entrance.
Villa Vajra is situated in the quiet
traditional village of Sebali in
the district of Kaliki, an
hour and fifteen minutes’ drive from Ngurah Rai international airport,
and about ten minutes’ drive from the cultural town of Ubud.
- This remarkable town is Bali’s
centre for fine arts, dance and music, and the surrounding villages are
home to Bali’s most accomplished painters, dancers, musicians and
carvers.
- It is located 300 metres above sea level
in the foothills of the central mountain range; this gives it a
fresher, more pleasant climate than the southern coastal regions.
- The numerous art galleries in Ubud
display traditional and modern work; the museums showcase the island’s
rich history, and the shops and the market stalls sell handicrafts,
jewellery, woodcarvings, textiles, paintings and antiques.
- There are many, well-presented, cultural performances
staged in the town, in particular the Hindu epic, the
Ramayana; also the Kecak Dance, the Fire Dance, the Monkey Dance and
the Legong Dance.
- The countryside around Ubud
is particularly beautiful, with an abundance of trails offering
memorable walks through the peaceful rice fields.
- The location is convenient for tours all over the island
and is only a forty-minute drive from the coast.
Facilities
- Fully air-conditioned Master Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
- Fully air-conditioned Guest Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
- Fully
air-conditioned Guest Room which can be configured either as two twins
or with one queen-sized bed, with en-suite shower room
- Fully air-conditioned Study Room that doubles as a bedroom,
with en-suite shower room
- Open-air Living and Dining Pavilion suitable for large
parties and functions
- Exterior decks and terraces for outdoor dining,
entertaining and relaxing.
- Swimming pool and Jacuzzi
- Stereo system, Satellite TV, DVD Player
Services
- Welcome drink and cool towel for all arrival times
- Laundry services
- Dry-cleaning services
- Able to organize additional cars and drivers for guests
- In-house computer for guests
- Spa treatment
Miscellaneous charges
- Service charge (food & beverages)
Children
- Baby bottle sterilizer
- Baby cot with mosquito net
- Baby high chair
- Able to arrange after hours baby sitting
AV Systems (In addition to bedrooms)
- DVD player
- VCD player
- Stereo system with or without CD player
- Satellite TV
Kitchen Appliances
- Microwave
- Juicer
- Blender
- Coffee machine
- Conventional oven
Communication
- Radio telephone
- Local telephone access
- Interlocal telephone access
- International telephone access
Small Functions
- Sit down dinners and small gathering
- Maximum 10 pax
- In-house catering
Security
- Safe deposit box
- 24 hour security
Extra Facilities / Appliances
- Electrical adaptors
- Hair dryer(s)
- Extra bed available
- Book library
- Board games
- Generator backup during power failures
- Able to provide water pressure during power failure
- Pool Deck Chairs / Sun Loungers
- Tennis court
- Jacuzzi
- Gym equipment
Staff
Villa Vajra is fully serviced by:
- A Full-time House Manager
Oversees and coordinates the staff and property and is available to
assist guests during their stay.
- Two Cooks
Trained in the preparation of both local and international
cuisine. A menu is provided, and the cooks will do all the
market shopping.
- Two Housekeepers
Responsible for housekeeping duties and taking care of daily laundry.
- One Waitress
Providing waitress service around the grounds and buildings of the
property.
- One Gardener
Tending the garden and the grounds of the villa.
- One Pool Tender
Cleaning and maintaining the swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
- Two Security Guards
Duties are to patrol the grounds and guard the entrance of the villa
from dusk to dawn ensuring the security of the guests.
Every room and corner of the property has
the effect of producing gasps of surprise and delight as guests view it
for the first time.
The villa is comprised of two buildings,
linked on the upper level by a lotus pond and pergola. A serene Buddha
statue stands within the lotus pond and white thunbergia cascades over
the pergola-covered walkway leading to the Master Bedroom and
Studio.
The Master Bedroom
is characterized by elegant furniture, teak floors, and glass on three
sides to maximize the awesome views of the jungle and river valley.
- Sliding
glass doors open on to a timber balcony, fringed by a food forest of
fruit trees; the built-in bench seat is an ideal place to absorb the
natural surroundings and listen to the ceaseless gurgle of the Ooz
River as it coils its way through the deep gorge below.
- The
en-suite garden bathroom is dominated by a large black terrazzo
bathtub, creating a strong contrast against the white Palimanan stone
floor.
- A black terrazzo wash stand supports a stylish chrome
washbowl, and the shower is flanked by shelves and cabinets.
- Everything
possible has been considered for the comfort of the guests; the
luxurious open-air bathtub is sheltered by a thatched canopy, and
privacy is maintained by a wall.
- Wooden shutters,
like hatches within the wall, can be opened to reveal a view of the
rice fields, and a larger hatch beside the bathtub offers the
delightful alternative vista of the jungle.
- Tree
ferns, birds’ nest ferns, and stepping stones across a star-grass lawn
complete the natural décor of this charming garden bathroom.
Colourful local artwork adorns the walls of a passage
way leading to the Studio on the
same floor.
- Situated
on the western side of the villa, this room boasts a panoramic view of
the rice fields, and features a pitched roof, a cream terrazzo floor
and more built-in cupboards and storage space.
- The
Studio doubles as an additional bedroom and includes an en-suite toilet
and shower room with a marble floor and black terrazzo washstand.
The adjacent building, across the lotus pond, holds the Study,
with a flat screen satellite TV, DVD player and a quality sound system
for the entertainment of the guests.
- This
room also doubles as an additional bedroom with an en-suite shower room
and a stone terrace that appears to almost float within the gently
swaying fields of rice.
- Cushioned seating is built
into the low wall encircling the terrace, thereby creating a
comfortable place for relaxing with a book while enjoying a coffee or a
cocktail at sunset.
- A cathedral window in the Study room
overlooks the main living and dining area on the lower level, which is
accessed by an external cantilevered staircase.
It
is upon reaching this lower level that visitors will be able to fully
appreciate the unique design of the villa. The gargantuan, 12 x 8
metre, living and dining pavilion extends the full
height of
the building and features a marble floor underneath a vaulted roof
supported by coconut-wood pillars on stone plinths.
- Furnished with rattan chairs and sofas, pendulous steel
globe lanterns
and Buddhist welcome statues, this pavilion represents open living at
its very best, and is a fantastic venue for parties, receptions and
functions.
- A small aviary is situated to one side, and a large hatch
links the dining area with the fully equipped kitchen,
where the cook will prepare a range of delicious Indonesian and Western
meals.
- Next door is a toilet and a shower, and
the laundry and staff quarters are situated at the back.
- The
adjoining semi-circular timber deck overhangs the lush river valley and
provides an alternative romantic dining area. Living jackfruit trees
grow through holes that have been cut in the floor of the deck,
creating a solution that blends style with nature without threatening
the environment.
- A further example of environmental
conservation is the water recycling system that has been devised for
the 8 x 3 metre infinity edge swimming pool, the outdoor Jacuzzi, and
the graceful cascade flowing down from the lotus pond above.
- Another Buddha statue rests within an alcove behind the
cascade.
The Guest Room is situated at pool level,
within the building that houses the Master Bedroom and Studio.
- Furnished
with a dreamy four-poster bed, the Guest Room features a Palimanan
stone floor, windows with sliding doors facing the valley, a dressing
room, and a garden bathroom with a black terrazzo tub, shower and
toilet.
Rustic stone steps lead down from the swimming pool
to the lowest level, past an outdoor shower, a bed of beautiful white
peace lilies, and a small lotus pond contained within a stone pot.
At this level there is an open terrace
overlooking a grassy meadow within the valley.
- Another wooden deck juts out to one side and a narrow path
leads down to the river past a small temple and a coconut grove.
- On
one side is a secret sanctuary, a traditional open pavilion, known as a
‘balé’, with a thatched roof and a raised teak floor scattered with
cushions for relaxing. Even here, guests can enjoy music from the sound
system, which boasts eight speakers directed towards every corner of
the property.
- On the other side, a fully equipped gym
provides the facility to maintain a daily fitness routine while
appreciating the wonderful views.
The Master Bedroom, Guest Room, Studio and Study
each feature individually controlled air-conditioning units
and powerful ceiling fans to keep the rooms pleasantly cool.
There are
- telephone lines for IDD calls
- lines for in-house calls in each room
- safety deposit boxes.
At night the villa takes on a different persona, with cleverly
concealed lighting. Guests will appreciate the fresh cool air,
and will be serenaded by a chorus of frog song to the accompaniment of
ritual music from the village temples and the constant murmur of the
river.
There is a barbeque terrace at the front of the
villa beside the rice fields and parking space for up
to six vehicles.
*** Due to the steep hillside elevation, the villa is
not recommended for disabled people or young children.
