VILLA ALAMANDA

Villa Alamanda is situated ten minutes east of the cultural town of Ubud, is approached through the traditional Balinese woodcarvers' village of Tengkulak.

Perched high on a ridge above the Petanu River, with valley views, the graceful architecture of this thatched hideaway blends contemporary elegance with ethnic charm. Designed to harmonise with the environment and utilising local materials, this exclusive villa comfortably sleeps up to eight people in four stylish and spacious air-conditioned bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom.

Elegant teak furniture is complemented by clean lines, natural colours and local artwork. A sizeable, open-air lounge and dining terrace overhangs the jungle, creating a real feeling of space. Villa Alamanda presents tropical living at its best.

The property is built on the side of a hill; the living area and bedrooms are all on the same level with steps leading down into the garden. A large gate opens onto a paved parking area, where indigenous 'serai' stone walls portray a jigsaw of shapes. Timeworn statues of comical characters greet the guests as they step into the cool interior of the villa through a set of antique double doors. Inside, the hallway extends towards a T-shaped wooden terrace. Furnished with antiques, this breezy open-air living area runs the length of the house and boasts a delightful dining section that just out over the tranquil gardens as they tumble into the steep ravine.

The garden and pool area provide the perfect spot for relaxation. The garden is equipped with a large bale with plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy the afternoons in luxurious style. The garden area is large enough for children play or for you to entertain friends.

Villa Alamanda is located in Ubud
An hour and fifteen minutes' drive from Ngurah Rai international airport, Ubud is Bali's centre for fine arts, dance and music; while the surrounding villages are home to Bali's most accomplished painters, dancers, musicians and carvers. This remarkable town is encompassed by magnificent terraced rice fields, rivers, traditional villages, art and craft communities, ancient temples and palaces. 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 feature 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.

Accommodations
Each of the four bedrooms features red-hued hardwood floors, double sliding glass and louvre doors that open onto the terrace, en-suite bathrooms, fitted wardrobes and safety deposit boxes.

The 'Master Bedroom' is furnished in a contemporary style, enhanced by a bell jar ceiling lantern, Indonesian artefacts and paintings by local artists. Louvre doors lead into a dressing room, fitted with a chunky marble washbasin and teak cabinets and adjacent to the bathroom, with its marble bathtub and shower. The glassless windows in the bathroom allow the cool breezes to permeate, and provide lovely views of the main garden area and swimming pool bordering the river valley.

The 'Red Room' is characterised by red accessories such as the lamps and paintings; and the 'Cinnamon Room' by the spicy-scented cinnamon stick arrangement in the vase above the bed. Both of these bedrooms feature a private garden bathroom with a marble bathtub surrounded by walls and leafy shrubs.

A separate thatched pavilion houses the 'Garden Suite', a cosy bedroom that also doubles as air-conditioned lounge containing shelves of DVDs and books. The Garden Suite features an en-suite garden bathroom with a canopied bathtub.

A fully-equipped kitchen is behind the Garden Suite and is accessible from the car-parking area. There is so much attention to detail; even the water tower is decorated with fanciful carved flowers, dragonflies and birds.

An arched gateway with rustic Balinese doors marks the entrance to the beautiful garden, accessed by a dramatic flight of seventeen stone steps leading down from the car-park level. The garden is shaded by verdant jungle foliage and filled with an abundance of brightly coloured, sweet-scented tropical flowers and plants. A gnarled frangipani tree overhangs the enticing swimming pool; the water appears to cascade over the curved infinity edge into the backdrop of banana plants, bamboo, and towering coconut palms. A large relaxation gazebo, known as a 'Bale Bengong', is situated next to the pool and offers the comfort of cushioned daybeds. Sunloungers are positioned on the white Palimanan stone patio; hand-carved paras stone statues and garden lamps create a romantic ambience. The constant sound of the fast flowing Petanu River, as it carves its way through the steep gorge below, is accompanied by the melody of birdsong and cicadas.

Villa Alamanda is an ideal choice for those looking for modern luxury in peaceful surroundings; an enchanting retreat where guests can enjoy a relaxing experience with personalised service.

Staff
Villa Alamanda is fully serviced by a full-time house manager, 1 Cook, 2 maids, 1 Security Guard, 2 gardeners, 1 Driver.

Facilities : 3 fully air-conditioned bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, TV Room/Guest Room with en-suite bathroom, Open-air terrace incorporating dining & lounge areas, Large freeform swimming pool, Tropical gardens, Car & Driver (for Ubud area), Household staff, Stereo system, Satellite TV, DVD Player, Safety Deposit Boxes, IDD Telephone, Night security.