Villa Sawah
Located just five minutes' drive from the cultural town of Ubud, Villa Sawah appears to float upon the rice fields from which it takes its name
The two-bedroom property, complete with swimming pool, is built on 4000
square metres of land and was designed by the acclaimed architect, Guy
Morgan; modelled on the traditional Dayak longhouses of Kalimantan, it
was inspired by a neighbouring granary building.
The villa is approached from the village of Penestanan. A 100-metre
private pathway, bordered by a hedge of sleepy red hibiscus, brings
visitors through the rice fields to a timber walkway leading to the
front door. Flanked on one side by the tree-lined Wos River valley, the
infinite 270-degree vista is unbroken by fences; and Bali's revered
volcano, Mt Agung, is visible on clear days. In traditional longhouse
style, the property is constructed upon a raised platform one metre
above ground level, ecologically designed around nature to preserve the
contours of the land and allow animals and water to pass underneath. A
further acknowledgement to the traditions of an ancient culture is the
presence of a pair of hand-carved guardian statues at the entrance,
while Indonesian timbers, clean lines, tactile contemporary furnishings
and a soothing palette of colours make for an effortless and relaxed
style.
Folding louvred teak doors and French windows provide the daily option
of converting the longhouse into an open pavilion. The fan-cooled
lounge and dining area is in the centre of the house, furnished with
comfortable L-shaped cane sofas, cabinets and a shelf unit housing a
satellite TV and CD player. Rustic boat-shaped lamps rest at the base
of the soaring 'alang alang' thatched roof above a terrazzo floor, and
bold red walls accentuate the modern dining table with its six
coordinating chairs. The fully equipped open plan kitchen is contained
within a horseshoe-shaped natural stone serving counter with adjacent
walk-in pantry.
A glass door at one end of the building leads into the master bedroom suite,
complete with office and bathroom. The office features practical
shelving, an ample desk and a timber ceiling. The bathroom is located
between the bedroom and the office, and is dominated by a large
terrazzo bathtub, together with a washbowl resting upon a stand, a
tiled shower cubicle, a toilet hidden within an alcove, and built-in
cupboards and storage space. The air-conditioned bedroom is almost
completely encompassed by three folding walls of glass, designed to
maximise the panoramic rice field views. These French windows can be
opened up to allow cool breezes and the sounds of nature to permeate
and wooden shutters can be pulled down for privacy. The room, with its
timber floor and ceiling fan, is simply furnished with a queen size
bed, cane chest, stylish wall lamps and bedside tables.
The second bedroom is located at the opposite end of the
house. This room also boasts floor-to-ceiling French windows on three
sides, a wooden floor, a queen size bed and simple, yet immaculate,
contemporary furnishings. A frosted glass door leads to the guest
bathroom, which features a tiled shower cubicle, washbasin and toilet.
Located next to the kitchen and master bedroom are two raised
timber external decks, ideal for relaxing in the open air. From the
lounge area, a short flight of wooden steps leads down to a white
Palimanan stone pool deck furnished with four trendy orange sunloungers
and two large Chinese-style parasols. The private 4 x 8-metre infinity-edge lap pool appears to overflow into the rice fields and river valley. A serene Buddha statue stands at one end.
What makes Villa Sawah even more special is its proximity to
nature; the surrounding countryside is particularly beautiful, with
numerous trails offering memorable walks through the peaceful rice
fields past teams of gregarious ducks. The area is a bird watchers
paradise, abundant with Bali's famous white herons and many other
species. Guests who stay here will be provided with a unique insight
into life in rural Bali, witnessing time-honoured methods of
agriculture and tasting the produce of the land. The peaceful setting
is perfect for couples who simply want to relax, or perhaps an artist
or writer who might be looking for a tranquil retreat that is
nevertheless only a few minutes' drive from the centre of Ubud. The
flat lawn at the front of the villa is well lit at night and is ideal
for a small function; the staff quarters are located to one side.
The remarkable town of Ubud is Bali's centre for fine arts,
dance and music. There are many art galleries in the town displaying
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 location is
convenient for tours all over the island and is only a forty-minute
drive to the coast and an hour and fifteen minutes' drive from Ngurah
Rai International Airport.
Staff
Villa Sawah is fully serviced by: One full-time Villa Manager, One
Housekeeper, One Cook, One Gardener & Pool Attendant, Two 24-hour
Security Guards.
Villa Facilities
- Fully air-conditioned Master Bedroom with en-suite bathroom
- Fully air-conditioned Guest Bedroom with access to guest bathroom
- Fully equipped kitchen, Living and Dining area
- Swimming pool, Exterior decks and pool terrace for relaxing
- Office, Household staff, Safety Deposit Box, IDD Telephone, Night security.
Villa Sawah - Villa Rates
All prices on this website are in US Dollar (US$)
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REMARKS:
High season period: July 15 - 31, September 1 - 15 and April 14 - 21, 2007
Peak season period: August 1 - 31 and December 20 - January 8, 2008
Promotional period: -
All rates are net/villa/night, inclusive of applicable government tax,
service charge, refreshing welcome drinks upon arrival and return
airport transfers. Rates do not include breakfast. Long term rate and last minute rate are available upon request.
