The Istana Villa Review

The Istana Villa is located on southwestern tip of Bali in an area named the Bukit. This one and a half acre property perched high atop dramatic cliffs, is more a palace than a villa, with cathedral ceilings, rich teakwood interiors, Thai silk bedding, Lotus water gardens and two swimming pools. Located in Uluwatu, featuring five bedroom suites and a thirty-two meter swimming pool facing west onto the pacific ocean, The Istana Villa sets new standards for private luxury villas in Bali.

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 Istana Villa Accommodation

Set back forty meters from the cliff face, The Istana Villa sits within a tremendous gated property and is composed of two swimming pools, a relaxation bale, a private guest house (containing the master bedroom), and a main house. Within the main house is a living room, dining room, entertainment room (known as the Dotcom room), and four identical bedroom suites.

The Istana Villa Photo Gallery

The Istana Villa Bedrooms

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.

The Master Bedroom is located within the guesthouse, which is separate from and slightly more elevated than, the main building, and set back so as to offer complete privacy. It has its own entrance way, parking facilities, and private swimming pool. The L-shaped pool is two and a half meters deep and is faced with a black volcanic stone. It has its own outdoor shower and lounge chairs.

The other four bedrooms are located down open corridors, two of which lead past the dining room facing the ocean, and two of which lead past the Dotcom room. Each suite entry is decorated with carved limestone blocks representing traditional Ikat weavings from the islands of Flores and Sumba.

Each of the four matching suites is comprised of a bedroom with a capacious walk-in closet, and indoor and outdoor Bali-style bathrooms. All of the bedroom walls are faced with timber paneling to mid-height with white sand wash on top, leading up to the high cathedral timber-lined ceilings with ceiling fans, and air-conditioning.

The Istana Villa Living and Dining Area

The Living Room is located at the center of the building, and the rich teak wood floors are accented by the eight-meter high, self-supported, exposed cathedral ceiling. Matching natural wood wardrobes, and a stunning U-shaped sofa bed surrounding a matching table enable the d?cor to maintain a natural cozy interior, and a large white limestone carving, depicting the legendary establishment of Uluwatu, accents the right wall.

The Dotcom Room is an enclosed air-conditioned space, which can be opened up if desired to overlook both the front and back of the estate. Dominating the room is a massive relaxation couch, which easily seats the capacity of the house, covered in Thai silk pillows, which faces the wide-screen projection TV and entertainment centre. Alcoves in the back feature desks and internet access, providing a convenient place to catch up with the outside world.

The impressive dining room table consists of one solid slab of teakwood, and easily seats ten. This air-conditioned area is enclosed by four sets of swinging glass doors that can be opened if desired, and overlooks the lily gardens to one side, and the expanse of the ocean to the other. The specially designed lighting fixtures in the dining room offer an intimate atmosphere, complimented by the meditative sounds of the water feature in the garden.

The Istana Villa Garden

Lotus water gardens flank the streamlined covered wooden walkway leading from the entrance into the main house, forming a straight line of sight leading all the way through the living room, over the central swimming pool, to the horizon. The colour of the pool water blends into the backdrop, merging within the mind’s eye, to that point that the pool becomes an extension of the Pacific Ocean that lies beyond it.

The main garden is decorated with palms, heliconias and ferns, mixed with white flowering Spider lilies, Aturium, and dwarf lilacs, whilst the gnarled trunks of numerous frangipanis lead the view upward to their magnificent, flowering blooms. The tropical flora shades the side of the house and creates a privacy screen from parking area and kitchen, while the water-ponds serve to naturally cool the living room with the help of the south-easterly breezes.

The Istana Villa Facilities Summary

* Five luxurious air-conditioned double bedrooms
* Two Swimming Pools
* Integrated CD system, satellite televisions and VCR/DVD players
* Fully equipped kitchen and bar
* Spacious living area
* Dining table for 10
* Lock up safe
* Internet access
* Masseuse on request
* Staff under western management including: fully trained cook, house keepers, gardener, pool attendant, security guards

The Istana Villa Rates

Read more information about The Istana Villa Uluwatu at Bali Villas

Related posts:

1. Villa Samadhana