The splendid 5-bedroom Puri Bawana Estate, complete with 30-metre swimming pool, rests upon almost two acres of land (7000m2) surrounded by emerald rice fields, within walking distance of the beach at the fishing village of Canggu on Bali’s southwest coast.
Designed by the internationally acclaimed architect, Guy Morgan, the estate is resourcefully integrated into the natural terraced contours of a hill. It is comprised of a series of thatched pavilions, housing a remarkable open Living Pavilion, an elevated Dining Pavilion, an Entertainment Room, two Kitchens and five Bedrooms, complete with an additional smaller room which can be used for a children or nanny’s bedroom.
The buildings are linked by pergola-covered walkways, achieving a unique sense of space within a natural setting. Maximising the spectacular views and the natural light, and catching the cool breezes even at the hottest time of year, the property offers a blend of air-conditioned comfort and tropical open-air living.
There are numerous relaxation areas, so guests will always find a private spot for peace and quiet. It is ideal for large groups or families with children. Puri Bawana is a member of the Canggu Club (Bali’s first country club) and its guests are eligible to use the club facilities.
Entrance
Guests enter the estate via a spacious car parking area. An antique door then opens into a grand entrance pavilion complete with a carved Palimanan stone screen and a Balinese Hindu feature known as the ‘aling aling’, a short screen wall designed to protect the villa from troublesome and malign influences, because evil spirits have great difficulty in turning corners. Guests will then cross a timber bridge over a reflecting ornamental pool.
Living Pavilion
The magnificent Living Pavilion presides over the property. It is flanked by a terrace laid with grass-edged Palimanan paving stones, and overlooks the swimming pool, terraced gardens and rice fields. This open-sided pavilion is modelled upon the traditional Balinese ‘Wantilan’,orvillage meeting place, with a soaring, two-tiered roof supported by pillars, complete with pendulous lanterns and ceiling fans above a mint-white sandstone floor. The expansive space is furnished with two comfortable sofas, ottomans, a coffee table, a decorative, antique Javanese daybed, and a pair of white coconut shell chairs with a small matching table. The Living Pavilion is linked to the rest of the villa by a covered, colonnaded walkway with black and white chequered tiles. Off the walkway is situated a guest washroom decorated with Indian stone tiles and accessed by a colourful, antique Balinese door.
Dining Pavilion
The open-sided Dining Pavilion is elevated above a high buttresses composed of indigenous serai stone, portraying a geometric jigsaw of shapes. A long suar wood dining table seats up to 14 dinner guests. The pavilion is cooled by natural breezes and ceiling fans and commands fabulous views of the bordering rice fields.
Kitchens
There are two fully equipped kitchens at Puri Bawana Estate servicing the villa, one is the service kitchen and the other is a state-of-the-art kitchen positioned next to the dining pavilion and linked by a large service bar. This immaculate, designer kitchen reveals a discriminating taste for functional beauty and cutting-edge style. Crafted in black marble with a central island, silver grey units and glassless shuttered windows, it is equipped with a hob, oven, wine fridge, coffee machine and other high tech appliances. There is even the provision of a sound system.
Kids’ Bedroom / Nanny’s Room
A staircase leads down under the Dining Pavilion to a small ‘spill-over’ room, which can sleep up to five kids. It is fitted with bunk beds and is also suitable for a children’s nanny. There is a bathroom next door with a toilet, shower and washbasin.
TV & Entertainment Room
Also located under the Dining Pavilion, is the air-conditioned TV and Entertainment Room. The room is equipped with a ceiling fan, teak wall units, and a large satellite TV mounted upon the wall, complete with surround sound, a DVD/CD player, and a Wii Game System. The furnishings―two large sofas, a glass-topped antique coffee table and two ottomans―can be pushed back against the wall to create an impressive party space. In one corner is a bar that can double as a DJ’s nook. Glass doors open from the Entertainment Room onto a terrace with a pergola supported by serai stone pillars beside the pool deck. Furnished with an outdoor dining table for eight, this is a great spot for a barbeque.
Swimming Pool & Garden
The swimming pool is 30 metres in length, incorporating a kids’ pool at one end. It is lined with rustic blue Java stone and the curved infinity edge follows the contour of the rice terraces.
The Palimanan stone pool deck is furnished with sun loungers and there is an open-sided ‘bale’, relaxation pavilion, positioned within the pool and accessed by stepping stones. Additionally, a raised walkway leads to an elevated bale, a traditional lazy, breezy gazebo with a thatched roof, open sides and a cushioned floor. There is an outdoor dining table with seats for 8, that is often used for outdoor barbeques and casual daytime dining.
This is the place to relax, contemplate and meditate, overlooking the river and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature, butterflies and birds. A wide flat lawn planted with four palms is the ideal setting for parties, weddings and events. A pathway leads down to the river and the gardens spill out into the padi fields to a traditional pavilion designed for wedding ceremonies.
There is also an herb garden and an environmentally-friendly waste water garden. If the timing is right, guests will have the opportunity to plant some rice. Many of the rice fields that surrounded the villa are part of the estate.
On the far side of the river, a picturesque rice terrace is carved like an amphitheatre into the contours of the land.
Bedrooms
The air-conditioned Master Suite features a warm timber floor and sliding glass doors on three sides under a high roof. The modern furnishings include a king-size four poster bed, a couch and a desk and chair.
A flat screen TV with DVD is hidden within a rising cabinet that appears at the press of a button. This bedroom is complemented by a spacious timber balcony, which looks across the river to the rice terraces beyond. Here, two cushioned daybeds provide the facility for complete relaxation.
A dressing area and wardrobes (complete with a safe deposit box) are built in behind the bed and linked to the en-suite air-conditioned bathroom, which features a black terrazzo floor and twin washbasins upon a central vanity unit with two mirrors. A toilet and walk-in raindrop shower are located in two separate cubicles with frosted glass doors. The bathroom extends into a large and private walled garden planted with travellers’ palms, spider lilies and torch ginger. Here, a romantic oversized bathtub rests in the open air, sheltered from the elements by the overhanging roof. There is also an open-air shower.
Suites 2 & 3 are located in the family building. Suite 2 is furnished with twin beds that can be converted into a double bed if required, while Suite 3 presents a king-size bed. Similar in style to the Master Suite with glass on two sides, both suites feature cool terrazzo floors and are equipped with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, daybeds, reading lights, iPod docking stations, safe deposit boxes, desks and chairs.
Both suites feature a private dressing and vanity area, each with wardrobes, double washbasins, an indoor shower and a toilet. Suite 2 is complemented by a private garden bathroom similar to that of the Master Suite, complete with an open-air bathtub sheltered by the roof. Suite 3 overlooks the expansive lily pond, with its beautiful, raised, infinity-edge moon pool and cascading waterfall. Guests in Suite 3 can relax on an adjoining timber deck, and enjoy the delights of a sheltered, open air bathtub beside the water-garden.
Suites 4 & 5 are housed within a two-storey building and each is equipped with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, daybeds, reading lights, iPod docking stations, safe deposit boxes, desks and chairs. Suite 4 is located on the lower level and is similar to the other suites with a king size bed and the additional provision of a walk-in wardrobe, a teak shelf unit, a floating vanity unit with double washbasins, and a combined shower and toilet fashioned from white, tumbled marble.
The garden bathroom is characterised by an open-air rainshower beside the lily pond and waterfall. There is also a relaxing area with built-in seats and shelves in the garden bathroom complete with an outdoor bathtub. An external staircase leads up to Suite 5, the only upstairs bedroom at the villa, affording gorgeous views of the rice fields and river valley.
The bedroom is furnished with a king-size bed and an ottoman upon a timber floor under a soaring roof. Behind the sleeping space is a dressing area complete with floating vanity unit with twin washbasins, an indoor shower and toilet and a built-in wardrobe.
An ornately tiled outdoor bathtub is positioned upon a breezy balcony, where there is also a cushioned daybed. Additionally, there is an open-air shower and, to one side, a glassless window presents a wonderful view that guests can enjoy from a cozy window-seat.
Location
The Puri Bawana Estate is located in the fishing village of Canggu, within walking distance of the rugged beach, which is renowned for its world-class surf breaks. The locality is dotted with some of the most impressive villas on the island and the sweeping view is enhanced on clear days by the magical sight of the Bali’s mountains. This out of town setting offers the double attraction of being relatively close to the shops and restaurants of Seminyak, while also presenting a fascinating insight into the traditions of rural Bali. Cows are herded through the fields, rice is planted and harvested throughout year, and the sound of ritual music is carried on the breeze.
The Beach House Restaurant at the nearby Echo Beach is the place where the local community gathers in the evenings to watch the legendary sunsets. A variety of eating areas and tables spill out onto a beachside buff, and live music is complemented by seafood barbeques.
The trendy Seminyak area, with its wide choice of international restaurants―including the famous Kudeta, Kafe Warisan, Living Room, Hu’u, La Lucciola and Blossom ― together with a plethora of chic cocktail bars, exciting nightclubs, lavish spas and elegant boutiques, is a mere 25 minutes’ drive away.
The location offers easy access up to the mountains and rice terraces on the western slopes of the island; it is one hour from the famous cultural and artistic town of Ubud, and just twenty minutes’ drive from the Sunset Route, gateway to the eastern side of the island.
It is also convenient for all of Bali’s shopping malls and main tourist attractions. The international airport is forty-five minutes’ drive.
Easily accessible sporting amenities include the Canggu Club (www.CangguClub.com), offering a state-of-the art gym, a 25-metre swimming pool and a tennis & squash centre. Puri Bawana is a member of the Canggu Club and its guests are given temporary memberships and may enjoy all the facilities of the club.
The nearby Nirwana Bali Golf Course at the Le Meriden Hotel, was designed by Greg Norman, and was voted the number 1 golf course in Asia; it is situated beside the dramatic, waved-lashed sea temple of Tanah Lot.For horse lovers, the ‘Umalas Equestrian Centre’ is just a few kilometres away.
Guests staying at Puri Bawana may also enjoy visiting Hotel Tugu, situated a few minutes’ walk away, beside the beach at Canggu with good waves for surfing. The hotel is a living museum of priceless antiques and rare cultural artefacts, and it also offers the attractions of fine dining together with the facilities of a delightful spa.
