VILLA GAJAH PUTIH

Villa Gajah Putih is located in Canggu, just a twenty-minute drive from the greater Kuta/Seminyak area where the prime dining, shopping, and nightlife in Bali are located. Because of its slightly out of town setting, it has the double attraction of being relatively close to everything one might need, while being far enough away to retain a peaceful rural feel. The surrounding village is traditional Balinese, and retains large expanses of pictorial rice fields. This five-bedroom villa and its immense property has the spectacular attribute of being set directly on the beach, and the ocean view enhances the enticing attributes of this prime estate.

The villa consists of one main two-storey building set on a gorgeous sprawling property, the gardens of which have been maturing for over a decade. To the left of the building is an immense vegetable garden, large yard, and tennis court. Between the main structure and the beach is a swimming pool and indoor sauna set within a manicured lawn strewn with coconut palms and two relaxation bales. The gated villa entrance has ample parking and a security post to guard one's interests whilst ensuring one's safety.

Upon entering the grounds one is led down a wooden walkway past a large limestone alligator carving and elaborate water ponds. These water gardens are filled with colourful fish and flowers, and completely surround the main building. The spacious common living areas of the villa are floored in marble, and the actual structure is composed of white stucco ceilings framed by huge ironwood beams supported by matching columns, making the areas completely open-air.

The first area is the dining room, which boasts a massive teak table that seats twelve and looks out over the blooming gardens to the ocean. The fully equipped kitchen is set off to the side of the dining room and can be reached by way of a small bridge.

The first floor living room features wooden tables, rattan armchairs and couches situated so as to create two sitting areas. Artwork collected from around the Indonesian archipelago abounds, enhancing the exotic atmosphere and creating a rich ambience ideal for thoughtful repose. The air is permeated with the sounds of crashing waves and the melodious chirping of tropical birds, which inhabit the flourishing tropical gardens.

Each of the five bedrooms consists of an enclosed air-conditioned room with its own ensuite bathroom. The floors and ceilings are made of ironwood, and each of the bedrooms have at least one glass wall overlooking the ocean-side gardens of the estate. All of the ensuite bathrooms are floored and walled with caramel marble, and have screened-windows overlooking the front gardens.

Set off to the right of the living room when walking straight from the dining area is the first bedroom. The entrance to this bedroom is a traditional Balinese variegated carved doorway, which opens up to reveal two queen sized wooden canopy beds with blue cotton bedcovers from India. Delicate white mosquito nets subtly accented by white flower patterns are draped from the canopies, and reading lights are tactfully attached to the supports for convenience. The beds are separated by a blue Ikat wall hanging and a wooden bedside table upon which rests a porcelain lamp from Hong Kong. The room is flanked on one side by glass, which looks out over the living room and pool table when the white draperies are opened. A rich red Oriental carpet delightfully compliments the ironwood floors. The rest of the furniture consists of a modest wood standing wardrobe and a small writing table with matching chairs.

Within the spacious marble bathroom, a large mask of a meditative face with closed eyes hangs on the wall behind the double showers, mounted on square marble pillars. A wooden towel rack and copper elephant stand sit by the stairs leading into the sunken marble tub which can be filled for a luxurious bath.

On both sides of the doorway to the second bedroom are two majestic red lion-like sculptures. Two wooden queen sized beds with red bedcovers sit on either side of a small table and lamp, behind which is a wall of windows overlooking the garden. The front windows look out to a lily pond filled with fish and two fountains in the form of carved stone tortoises, spouting water from their mouths. Bamboo blinds can be drawn down in the bedroom for privacy. The decor in this room consists of a plain wooden wardrobe, a desk, and matching chairs, and is highlighted by a red and blue Oriental carpet, and two original antique Chinese paintings to either side of the ironwood door leading to the large robe and ensuite bathroom.

An imported pool table sits off to the side of the living room near the ironwood staircase that leads to the second storey. The stairs are divided by a small landing, over which an arched wood doorframe tactfully splits the sunlight. Balinese paintings depicting village life adorn the walls, and a swinging ironwood gate opens up to second floor. The entire second storey is floored in ironwood, and a timber-lined cathedral style alang-alang ceiling opens up the space.

To the immediate left of the staircase, one walks past another large painting and through a set of picturesque carved doors into the first master bedroom. This sublime room is walled on three sides by sliding glass windows with white linen drapes that can be drawn for privacy. An Ikat weaving hangs on the fourth wall between the entrance and the bathroom doorway. The entire bedroom is surrounded by a balcony, which overlooks the front and back gardens, and the vegetable garden to the side. The tremendous bed sits in the middle of the room with a view of the ocean, and boasts a finely dyed cotton red and white bedcover made in India in karma sutra style. Imported Oriental carpets encircle the bed, and an elaborate Chinese style sofa from Java sits off to the side. The ensuite bathroom is another symphony of marble and indulgence.

The forth bedroom overlooks the balcony to one side and offers a sea view to the other. The most notable decoration in this room is the complex mirrored wall hanging from India. As in the other bedrooms, a table and matching sitting chairs and a standing wardrobe make up the rest of the furniture.

The second master bedroom is boasts sliding glass doors overlooking the ocean open up to expose the elegantly carved canopy bed. The white bedcover is of handmade Indian lace, matched by the elegant mosquito net, hand painted in India. A unique Javanese batik wall hanging backs the bed, and depicts a forest setting with animals grazing.

The upstairs living area consists of one main sitting area overlooking a tremendous balcony upon which are set two batik-covered massage tables. Flower boxes filled with fragrant blooming plants surround the balcony. A tall table is situated behind the sitting area, upon which a projector can be put, while a large screen can be pulled down from the ironwood columns framing the scene for movie-viewing. An attractive Chinese-style canopy day bed with mirrored Indian bedcovers sits to one side, offering an enticing spot from which to enjoy the fabulous property and the view it offers its guests.

One can walk out to the actual ground of the property by way of the first floor living area, past two Chinese sofa beds and three crouching Buddha statues. The marble floor is traded for a wood-planked walkway, leading out through the flourishing gardens to the enormous swimming pool. The pool is surrounded by a wood deck, which supports numerous lounge chairs and two hammocks. To the side of the swimming pool is an alluring indoor sauna, completely made of tropical hardwood and roofed with alang-alang. One way glass ensures privacy while inside, yet allowing one to look out to the left towards the vegetable garden and tennis courts, or to the two beachside relaxation bales, ideal for meditation or yoga.

The gate leading to the beach is next to the bales. The tennis court is set on a slightly elevated plane near the beach, and the thick foliage lining the fence tactfully maintaining privacy by sufficiently obstructing the view of the villa without blocking the ocean view from the property. The manicured lawn that makes up the majority of the grounds offers an ideal setting for hosting weddings or large events.

Owing to the owner's love of fine food, the cooks at the villa are both talented and versatile, offering guests a large choice of delectable meals to enjoy during their stay. Many of the fresh ingredients used for cooking are gathered daily from the villa's organic vegetable and herb garden.

With its old world design and impressive hand selected collection of Asian antiques and fabrics, Villa Gajah Putih is truly one of Bali's finest luxury estates.

Staff
Villa Gajah Putih is fully serviced by: A full-time house manager, Two cooks, Six maids, Two security guards, Six gardeners and pool attendants, Two waitress, One Driver (only included for booking of full house - 5 bedrooms).