The splendid 5-bedroom Puri Bawana
Estate, complete with 30-metre swimming pool,
rests upon almost two
acres of land (7000m2) surrounded by emerald rice fields, within
walking distance of the beach at the fishing village of Canggu on
Bali’s southwest coast.
Designed by the internationally
acclaimed architect, Guy Morgan, the estate is resourcefully integrated
into the natural terraced contours of a hill.
It is comprised
of a series of thatched pavilions, housing a remarkable open Living
Pavilion, an elevated Dining Pavilion, an
Entertainment Room, two
Kitchens and five Bedrooms,
complete with an additional smaller room
which can be used for a children or nanny’s bedroom.
The buildings are linked by pergola-covered walkways,
achieving a unique sense of space within a natural setting.
Maximising
the spectacular views and the natural light, and catching the cool
breezes even at the hottest time of year, the property offers a blend
of air-conditioned comfort and tropical open-air living.
There are numerous relaxation areas, so guests will always
find a private spot for peace and quiet.
It is ideal for large groups or families with children.
Puri Bawana is a member of the Canggu Club (Bali’s first
country club) and its guests are eligible to use the club facilities.
The Puri Bawana Estate is located in the
fishing village of Canggu,
within walking distance of the rugged beach, which is renowned for its
world-class surf breaks.
The locality is dotted with some of the most impressive villas
on the island and the sweeping view is enhanced on clear days by the
magical sight of the Bali’s mountains. This out of town setting offers
the double attraction of being relatively close to the shops and
restaurants of Seminyak, while
also presenting a fascinating insight into the traditions of rural Bali.
Cows are herded through the fields, rice is planted and
harvested throughout year, and the sound of ritual music is carried on
the breeze.
The Beach House Restaurant at the nearby Echo
Beach is the place where the local community gathers in the
evenings to watch the legendary sunsets.
A variety of eating areas and tables spill out onto a
beachside buff, and live music is complemented by seafood
barbeques.
The trendy Seminyak area, with its wide choice of
international restaurants―including the famous Kudeta, Kafe Warisan,
Living Room, Hu’u, La Lucciola and Blossom ― together with a plethora
of chic cocktail bars, exciting nightclubs, lavish spas and elegant
boutiques, is a mere 25 minutes’ drive away.
The location offers easy access up to the mountains and rice
terraces on the western slopes of the island; it is one hour from the
famous cultural and artistic town of Ubud,
and just twenty minutes’ drive from the Sunset Route,
gateway to the eastern side of the island.
It is also convenient for all of Bali’s shopping malls and
main tourist attractions.
The international airport is forty-five minutes’
drive.
Entrance
Guests enter the estate via a spacious car parking area.
An
antique door then opens into a grand entrance pavilion complete with a
carved Palimanan stone screen and a Balinese Hindu feature known as the
‘aling aling’, a short screen wall designed to protect the villa from
troublesome and malign influences, because evil spirits have great
difficulty in turning corners.
Guests will then cross a timber bridge over a reflecting
ornamental pool.
Living Pavilion
The magnificent Living Pavilion presides over the property.
It is flanked by a terrace laid with
grass-edged Palimanan paving stones, and overlooks the
swimming pool, terraced gardens and rice
fields.
This
open-sided pavilion is modelled upon the traditional Balinese
‘Wantilan’, or village meeting place, with a soaring, two-tiered roof
supported by pillars, complete with pendulous lanterns and ceiling fans
above a mint-white sandstone floor.
The expansive space is furnished with two comfortable sofas,
ottomans, a coffee table, a decorative, antique
Javanese daybed, and a pair of white coconut shell
chairs with a small matching table.
The Living Pavilion is linked to the rest of the villa by a
covered, colonnaded walkway with black and white chequered tiles.
Off the walkway is situated a guest washroom
decorated with Indian stone tiles and accessed by a colourful, antique
Balinese door.
Dining Pavilion
The
open-sided Dining Pavilion is elevated above a high buttresses composed
of indigenous serai stone, portraying a geometric jigsaw of shapes.
A long suar wood dining table seats up
to 14 dinner guests.
The pavilion is cooled by natural breezes and ceiling fans and
commands fabulous views of the bordering rice fields.
Kitchens
There
are two fully equipped kitchens at Puri Bawana Estate servicing the
villa, one is the service kitchen and the other is a state-of-the-art
kitchen positioned next to the dining pavilion and linked by a large
service bar.
This immaculate, designer kitchen reveals a discriminating
taste for functional beauty and cutting-edge style.
Crafted in black marble with a central island, silver grey
units and glassless shuttered windows, it is equipped with a hob,
oven, wine fridge, coffee machine and other high tech appliances.
There is even the provision of a sound system.
TV & Entertainment Room
Located under the Dining Pavilion, is the air-conditioned TV and
Entertainment Room.
The room is equipped with a ceiling fan, teak wall units, and
a large satellite TV mounted upon the wall,
complete with surround sound, a DVD/CD player, and
a Wii Game System.
The
furnishings - two large sofas, a glass-topped antique coffee table and
two ottomans - can be pushed back against the wall to create an
impressive party space.
In one corner is a bar that can double as
a DJ’s nook.
Glass
doors open from the Entertainment Room onto a terrace with a pergola
supported by serai stone pillars beside the pool deck.
Furnished with an outdoor dining table for eight,
this is a great spot for a barbeque.
Swimming Pool & Garden
The swimming pool is 30 metres in length,
incorporating a kids’ pool at one end.
It is lined with rustic blue Java stone and the curved
infinity edge follows the contour of the rice terraces.
The
Palimanan stone pool deck is furnished with sun loungers and there is
an open-sided ‘bale’, relaxation pavilion, positioned within the pool
and accessed by stepping stones.
Additionally, a raised
walkway leads to an elevated bale, a traditional lazy, breezy gazebo
with a thatched roof, open sides and a cushioned floor.
There is an outdoor dining table with
seats for 8, that is often used for outdoor barbeques and casual
daytime dining.
This
is the place to relax, contemplate and meditate, overlooking the river
and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature, butterflies and birds.
A wide flat lawn planted with four palms is the ideal setting
for parties, weddings and events.
A pathway leads down to the river and the
gardens spill out into the padi fields to a traditional pavilion
designed for wedding ceremonies.
There is also a herb garden and an
environmentally-friendly waste water garden.
If the timing is right, guests will have the opportunity to plant some
rice. Many of the rice fields that surrounded the villa are
part of
the estate.
On the far side of the river, a picturesque rice terrace is
carved like an amphitheatre into the contours of the land.
Bedrooms
The air-conditioned Master Suite
features a warm timber floor and sliding glass doors on three sides
under a high roof.
- The modern furnishings include a king-size four poster bed,
a couch and a desk and chair.
- A flat screen TV with DVD is hidden within a rising cabinet
that appears at the press of a button.
- This
bedroom is complemented by a spacious timber balcony, which looks
across the river to the rice terraces beyond. Here, two cushioned
daybeds provide the facility for complete relaxation.
- A
dressing area and wardrobes (complete with a safe deposit box) are
built in behind the bed and linked to the en-suite air-conditioned
bathroom, which features a black terrazzo floor and twin washbasins
upon a central vanity unit with two mirrors.
- A toilet and walk-in raindrop shower are located in two
separate cubicles with frosted glass doors.
- The
bathroom extends into a large and private walled garden planted with
travellers’ palms, spider lilies and torch ginger. Here, a romantic
oversized bathtub rests in the open air, sheltered from the elements by
the overhanging roof. There is also an open-air shower.
Suites 2 & 3 are
located in the family building.
- Suite 2 is furnished with twin beds that
can be converted into a double bed if required, while Suite 3
presents a king-size bed.
- Similar
in style to the Master Suite with glass on two sides, both suites
feature cool terrazzo floors and are equipped with air-conditioning,
ceiling fans, daybeds, reading lights, iPod docking stations, safe
deposit boxes, desks and chairs.
- Both suites feature a private dressing and vanity area,
each with wardrobes, double washbasins, an indoor shower and a toilet.
- Suite
2 is complemented by a private garden bathroom similar to that of the
Master Suite, complete with an open-air bathtub sheltered by the roof.
- Suite 3 overlooks the expansive lily pond, with its
beautiful, raised, infinity-edge moon pool and cascading waterfall.
- Guests
in Suite 3 can relax on an adjoining timber deck, and enjoy the
delights of a sheltered, open air bathtub beside the water-garden.
Suites 4 & 5
are housed within a two-storey building and each is equipped with
air-conditioning, ceiling fans, daybeds, reading lights, iPod docking
stations, safe deposit boxes, desks and chairs.
- Suite 4
is located on the lower level and is similar to the other suites with a
king size bed and the additional provision of a walk-in wardrobe, a
teak shelf unit, a floating vanity unit with double washbasins, and a
combined shower and toilet fashioned from white, tumbled marble.
- The garden bathroom is characterised by an open-air
rainshower beside the lily pond and waterfall.
- There is also a relaxing area with built-in seats and
shelves in the garden bathroom complete with an outdoor bathtub.
- An external staircase leads up to Suite 5,
the only upstairs bedroom at the villa, affording gorgeous views of the
rice fields and river valley.
- The bedroom is furnished with a king-size bed and an
ottoman upon a timber floor under a soaring roof.
- Behind
the sleeping space is a dressing area complete with floating vanity
unit with twin washbasins, an indoor shower and toilet and a built-in
wardrobe.
- An ornately tiled outdoor bathtub is positioned upon a
breezy balcony, where there is also a cushioned daybed.
- Additionally,
there is an open-air shower and, to one side, a glassless window
presents a wonderful view that guests can enjoy from a cozy window-seat.
Kids’ Bedroom / Nanny’s Room
- A staircase leads down under the Dining Pavilion to a small
‘spill-over’ room, which can sleep up to five kids.
- It is fitted with bunk beds and is also suitable for a
children’s nanny.
- There is a bathroom next door with a toilet, shower and
washbasin.