The Istana Villa

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.

Five years post its inception and redefining private luxury villas on the island, the Istana is undergoing some alterations.

Gfab Architects, one of Asia’s leading design firms has conceived of, and is implementing the changes to the villas interior and structure.

The aim of the works is to update and freshen the villa; there will be an entirely new look, while still maintaining the essence of the Istana.

The focus was that this would be a modern approach yet still being firmly rooted in Balinese traditions and creativity.

An emphasis on comfort and privacy for guests has been forefront on the mind of the architects and the owners.

The Istana is located on south western tip of Bali in an area designated 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.

Set back forty meters from the cliff face, The Istana sits within a tremendous gated property.

The overall style is a medley between understated modern architecture and traditional Indonesian detailing, with features that blend Indonesian materials and workmanship.

The artwork represents a mixture of primitive art and antiques originating from Indonesia, keeping with the aura of tradition and style.

The Entrance

Previously the single line vehicle entrance that led to the walk way and then to the view was lacking in any expectation.

Changes have been made to prolonging the journey and un-wrapping the entrance experience more slowly. This is achieved by amending the position of the entrance gate, a change also strongly advised by Balinese priests as guests will now enter on the 7th bay which is far more auspicious in local traditions.

A new covered parking bay has been created so that vehicles will have shade and be cooler on entrance.

Living Room

The entrance walkway steps up slowly through the lotus ponds at the front and allows a framed view on approach, this is more in keeping with a traditional Balinese entrance as it is believed that evil spirits cannot turn corners.

Only upon entering the living room, will then the view take away one’s breath.

The furniture will be amended and enlarged so you have a large modular system which can be arranged to suit any occasion. There continues to be a bar in the living space.

Large stone designs have been amended within the walls to include a combination of carving and niches to house traditional antiquities.

The Dining Room

The dining room has been enlarged so can comfortably seat twelve on normal occasions and up to eighteen people when required, all new furniture, timber paneled ceilings and fabric paneled walls compliments the scene.

A large folding glazed wall to the ocean view and a slot window to the entrance elevation afford privacy from staff areas.

The new wall paneling is composed of hand printed fabrics in silver grays and blues.

The AV Room The AV room now boasts a state-of-the-art projector systems that throws images onto a massive screen; the room will fully black out and have cinema quality viewing with Bose surround sound home theatre.

As a backdrop, the walls are paneled in blues and grays in handmade traditionally inspired fabrics.

The huge lounging sofa and footstools will make viewing a pleasure.

The Bale

The bale is being replaced with a larger and deeper structure, closer to the cliff edge with a seating area at the front, Horigatsu dining and a bar and built-in BBQ to the rear.

The planting to the front has been reduced to afford views of breaking waves.

Master bedroom

The master bedroom has been remodeled, the bathroom space has been enlarged and as well as an oversized bed there is a large day bed with a swiveling and concealable TV, to permit easy viewing from bed and lounger.

A large sunken bath is now the central feature in the air-conditioned bathroom, which also hosts a separate shower, toilet and dressing areas.

Complimenting this outside is a new and larger additional shower in the private garden.

The bedroom walls are paneled in grays and blues fabric panels and the space has a more personal scale which also allows for more efficient airconditioning.

The Ocean and Garden bedrooms

All the bedrooms have an ornate carved headboard while still in keeping with the cleaner look of the new Istana along with boasting a totally revamped larger dressing and bathing area, external shower and internal pedestal bath.

For the Ocean rooms day beds and desks along with comfortable lounge chairs have been included as well as some external garden furniture that will allow clients far more comfort in their rooms than previously.

The large windows into the living area have been replaced with a slot window to allow more privacy to these suites.

In the Garden bedrooms, the entrances in those rooms have been given large private gardens with sunloungers; they also now possess 42” TV screens in each and additional walls to ensure privacy.

The kids Room

The staff wing has an additional floor added which house a "children’s wing", there is children’s sleeping split level beds and a play room, that features games and TV systems with latest play station and Wii games.

There is also an adjacent maids room. A pool room has also been added.

The Kitchens and staff flow

The kitchens have been totally revamped and enlarged, while providing new equipment to deal more efficiently with catered events and weddings.

Staff thoroughfares have been planned to keep all as concealed and unintrusive from guests as possible.

Facilities

• Paved road access to Villa
• Swimming pool
• Chlorine pool filtration system
• Car parking available at the Villa (8 spots)
• Main dining table (seats 10 pax)
• Bar area
• Ceiling fans in un-air conditioned living areas
• All bedrooms air-conditioned

Services

• Welcome drink and cool towel for all arrival times
• Laundry services
• Dry-cleaning services
• Able to organize additional cars and drivers for guests
• Able to organize self drive cars for guests
• In-house computer for guests
• Spa treatment

Miscellaneous charges

• Cooking
• Staff overtime

Children

• Baby cot with mosquito net
• Baby high chair
• Children’s books, games and toys
• Children’s videos and DVDs
• Villa staff willing to assist with children (daytime) whilst parents present
• Able to arrange after hours baby sitting

AV Systems (In addition to bedrooms)

• DVD player
• VCD player
• Stereo system with CD player
• Satellite TV

Kitchen Appliances

• Microwave
• Juicer
• Blender
• Coffee machine

Food

• Individually priced food menu items

Communication

• Radio telephone
• Local telephone access
• Interlocal telephone access
• International telephone access
• Fax machine (local)
• Fax machine (interlocal)
• Fax machine (international)
• Broadband internet connection
• Computer
• Computer with Broadband internet connection
• Internet connection capable (wireless)

Small Functions

• Sit down dinners and small gathering
• Maximum 20 pax
• In-house catering

Large Functions

• Wedding and larger functions acceptable
• Function Co-ordinator required
• External Catering required
• Maximum 150 pax
• Function charge
• Banjar fee
• DJ/loud music permitted
• Curfew
• Sufficient power supply for DJ

Security

• Safe (addition to bedroom)
• 24 hour security

Extra Facilities / Appliances

• Electrical adaptors
• Hair dryer(s)
• Extra mattress available
• Video / VCD / DVD library
• Book library
• Board games
• Pool Deck Chairs / Sun Loungers
• Pool table
• BBQ

Staff

The Istana is managed by Bali’s leading property services company, Bali Homes Management.

The Istana is fully serviced by:

• A full-time villa manager Oversees and coordinates the staff and property and is available to assist guests during their stay.

• One assistant villa manager Assists 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 cook will do all the market shopping.

• Two maids Responsible for housekeeping duties, taking care of your daily laundry and providing waiter service around the grounds and buildings of the property.

• Six security guards Their duties are to patrol the grounds and guard the entrance of the villa from dusk to dawn ensuring your security.

• Two gardeners and pool attendants Tending the garden and the grounds of the villa.  They ensure that the facilities of the villa run smoothly during your visit.

• Three Butlers Providing personalized services across the spectrum according to guests needs.

• One Engineer Looks after maintenance and machinery within the Villa.

• One Driver An offer chauffeurs service to guests for up to 10 consecutive hours per day and is contactable by handphone.