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.
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 décor 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.
