The Istana is located in the Banjar of Suluban in Uluwatu, and rests high atop the peninsula of southeastern Bali, an area known as The Bukit. The property 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. When the trade winds blow, a massive swell from the Pacific Ocean crashes onto the reefs surrounding Uluwatu, creating waves that attract surfers from around the world; the breaks are known to be the fifth best in the world, and are only a ten minutes walk from the villa. With the villa located so close to the holy Pura Uluwatu, one of island’s nine mother temples, the site is spiritually inspiring and undeniably unique. Set back 40 meters from the cliff face, The Istana sits on a tremendous gated property and is composed of two swimming pools, a relaxation bale, a private guest house, and a main house, which is fitted with a living room, dining room, entertainment room (known as the Dot com room), and four identical suites. Both of the buildings are single-story and open-air with rich teakwood floors, inspiring a natural ambiance, while maintaining and accentuating the spectacular view. The overall style is a compromise 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 mood of tradition.  The property is surrounded by an imposing white wall, and it is through the massive accompanying gate that one enters The Istana. The parking area offers ample room for parking, and is paved with grass for a cooling effect. Flamboyant and flame trees line the wall, providing shade, with flowering pink, white, and red oleander and fragrant lilac planted below. The modern kitchen, which is commercially fitted with state of the art equipment, is in this vicinity, set apart from the rest of the structures along with the security post.
Lotus water gardens flank the streamlined covered walkway leading from the entrance into the main house, forming a straight line of sight leading all the way to the horizon. The colour of the pool water blends into the oceanic backdrop, so the two become merged to 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 walkway leads to the huge open-air living room, which overlooks this breathtaking estate. The living room is located at the center of the building, and the rich teak wood floors are accented by the 8-meter high, self-supported, exposed cathedral ceiling, complete with ceiling fans. Matching natural wood wardrobes, and a stunning U-shaped sofa bed surrounding a matching table enable the décor to maintain a natural cozy interior, and a large white limestone carving, depicting the legendary establishment of Uluwatu, accents the right wall. The carving represents the arrival of the priest Pedanda Sakti Wawu Rauh, who, according to legend, came to Bali from Java riding on a “Kaluwih” tree leaf in A.D. 1546, and achieved Hindu liberation, “Moska,” at the spot at which the temple was then established. The open view offers constantly changing natural lighting as the sun moves in the sky from dawn to dusk and into night. At nighttime, with tactfully placed ambient lighting accenting the villa’s design, one is immersed in the interior, and the villa becomes it’s own private little world. Two symmetrical wings attached to the living room accommodate the bar and dining room to the left, and the Dotcom room to the right. Both rooms are slightly separated from the rest of the space, and are fully paneled internally and externally with teakwood, evoking a warm comfortable feel. 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. Outside of the dining room towards the ocean-side of the property is a stylish guest bathroom. The bar area is connected to the dining room by a glass door, and from here one can look into the living room and out over the entire property. Chic barstools line the bar, offering a prime location to enjoy a refreshing cocktail. The Dotcom room is also an enclosed air-conditioned space, which can be opened up if desired to overlook both the front and back of the estate. There are two wooden desk areas for computers and a massive relaxation couch, which could easily seat the capacity of the house, covered in Thai silk pillows, which faces the wide-screen projection TV and entertainment centre.  The four bedrooms are located down open corridors, two of which lead past the dining room, 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 walk in closet, and indoor and outdoor 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. The furniture in the bedrooms was designed especially for The Istana, as were the exquisite lighting fixtures, and is made exclusively of recycled teakwood. The décor in each room is primarily the same, with differences in the color schemes. All of the bedrooms are walled on three sides by folding glass doors which open up to the private gardens in the case of the bedrooms facing the entrance of the property, and which open up onto the huge property in the case of the bedrooms facing the ocean. All the rooms have air conditioning units that are recessed into timber frames for aesthetic concealment. Remote sensors and thermostats have been located as to offer reliability and access. The en suite bathrooms are walled in white sand-wash with highlights of carved stone trimming. All have huge teak-framed mirrors above two sinks set in wood. The indoor showers have huge rain-heads, and are enclosed on two sides with glass but open to the front, leading out to private gardens and sunken baths with views of the sky. The master bedroom is located in the guesthouse, which is separate from, and slightly more elevated than, the main building, set back so as to offer complete privacy. It has its own entrance way, parking facilities, and swimming pool. The L-shape 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 guesthouse is divided into a deck, living area, and bedroom with en suite bath to the rear. The rooms are partially separated by a wall that comes halfway up from the floor to the cathedral ceiling, and all of the walls are faced externally and internally with teakwood. The living area and bedroom both look out over the property, and are enclosed on either side by swinging glass doors. A spectacular view of the ocean is provided from the massive ironwood bed. The bathroom is much like those in the main house, only it has both an indoor and outdoor shower. A large day bed sits on the deck and one can look directly out from this to the relaxation bale. The relaxation bale is set near the cliff face adjacent to the property’s shrine, and is composed of a white, solid stone bench encircling a large wood table. This creates a luxurious setting, ideal for dining, or just for sitting and relaxing. At sunset, the island’s volcanoes are silhouetted against northwestern skies, and form one of the most spectacular backdrops of anywhere in the world. The grounds of the property are in two levels. The upper level consists of a large grass lawn of thick, comfortable grass and two water gardens with fountains to either side of living room. Tall coconut palm trees create shaded areas without obstructing the sea view, and are lit at night, brushing the lawn, water features, and swimming pool with a serene glow. The 30-meter-long swimming pool is set on this level, and offers a breathtaking side to side infinity line leading to the ocean background as the waters spill over the edge nearest the ocean. It is four meters deep at one end, and two meters deep at the other, and is faced with a green granite stone originating from West Java. A waterway that flushes into the pool is aligned to the main axis of the building and starts with a jellyfish-like bubbling, which makes for a striking light show at night. Lounge chairs are set at either end, and an outdoor shower is mounted on a white stone pillar to one side. The lower level of the property consists of succulent ground cover and a meticulous sprawling lawn, lined along the cliff-side by 15 meters of spiky bougainvillea to dissuade any wanderers and to create a subtle contrast with the lawn. This area is ideal for wedding parties or events. Guests with children may be concerned about the safety of little ones around the water fixtures and cliff. There will be a dedicated babysitter for the house and a removable fence along the cliff face to make sure there is a large open space where children can play safely. Uluwatu is a powerful and awe-inspiring place, so the elements of The Istana have been assembled so as to match the heritage of the site. The house blends modern and antique, with a European influence on an Oriental, more specifically Balinese, focus of style. The natural materials and abundant usage of rich teakwood and ironwood throughout the house compliment this mix, and help the building merge well with the landscape, lush gardens, and incredible view. A villa whose name means palace, The Istana is for those who enjoy feeling regal |
