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Number of Bedroom: 3.5
District of Bali: Ubud
Total Living Area: 800 m2
Total Area of Ground: 188,67 m2
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 eight 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.
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.
Colorful 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 meter, 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 meter
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 and in-house calls in each
room, and also 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.
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 meters 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.
Staff
Villa Vajra is fully serviced by:
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A Full-time House Manager
Oversees and coordinates the staff and property and is
available to assist guests during their stay.
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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.
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Two Housekeepers
Responsible for housekeeping duties and taking care of
daily laundry.
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One Waitress
Providing waitress service around the grounds and
buildings of the property.
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One Gardener
Tending the garden and the grounds of the villa.
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One Pool Tender
Cleaning and maintaining the swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
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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.
Entertainment
Villa Facilities
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Fully air-conditioned Master Bedroom with en-suite
bathroom
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Fully air-conditioned Guest Bedroom with en-suite
bathroom
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Fully air-conditioned Guest Room which can be configured
either as two twins or with one queen-sized bed, with
en-suite shower room
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Fully air-conditioned Study Room that doubles as a
bedroom, with en-suite shower room
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Open-air Living and Dining Pavilion suitable for large
parties and functions
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Exterior decks and terraces for outdoor dining,
entertaining and relaxing
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Fully equipped gym
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Fully equipped kitchen
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Swimming pool and Jacuzzi
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Relaxation balé
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Tropical gardens
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Barbeque terrace
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Household staff
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Stereo system, Satellite TV, DVD Player
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Safety Deposit Boxes
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IDD Telephone
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Night security
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