Villa Mako is a peaceful 3-bedroom retreat, complete with
swimming pool, located in a quiet traditional village above a
small river valley. The single-storey villa is neo-colonial in
style, similar to the Dutch guesthouses of the Javanese and
Malay hill stations, characterized by louvre shutters, old
teak doors, and spectacular high wooden ceilings built of
seasoned timbers. The eclectic interiors reflect the travels
and passions of the owners, introducing Balinese and Javanese
antiques, combined with a bold use of colour to create a very
personal atmosphere.
Designed to maximize the natural light, and catch the cool
breezes even at the hottest time of year, the property offers
a blend of air-conditioned comfort and open-air tropical
living. Its elevated position, meanwhile, affords beautiful
open views over the pool to a jungle canopy against a backdrop
of rice terraces.
The furnishings and decorations include large mirrors,
armchairs, cushions and loungers that focus on comfort as well
as style. There are numerous relaxation areas, together with a
huge amount of covered space, so guests will always find a
private spot for peace and quiet. In fact, a large family or
group of people could stay at the villa and still lose each
other within its depths. In addition to this, guests have the
choice of three different eating areas, all of which present a
unique ambience.
An advanced water filter system is used throughout the villa,
raising the quality of the tap water to provide a pure
drinking water source in the kitchen, with drinking water also
supplied to the bathrooms and bedrooms.
There is an on-site laundry and plenty of storage space for
luggage.
Entrance
The villa is approached via a private driveway with a secure
car parking area. Two Chinese welcome statues guard the
entrance beside a set of double Balinese doors, which open to
reveal a covered walkway with a pitched roof, ensuring that
there is no danger of getting wet during the rainy season. The
walkway circumvents a lotus pond complete with a bubbling
water feature in its centre.
Kitchen
Unlike many villas in Bali, where the kitchen is tucked away
at the back of the property, the large and immaculate open
kitchen at Villa Mako is a feature in itself, situated on one
side of the lotus pond. Cream terrazzo work surfaces are
flanked by well-stocked glass-fronted cupboards full of
sparkling tableware. The kitchen is fully equipped with a
sizeable refrigerator, an oven with a large gas hob, and
everything else that the staff will need to create delicious
meals. Wayan is an excellent cook; a menu is provided showing
the dishes that she can prepare, and she is also very happy to
work with other recipes and ingredients.
Breakfast area
To one side of the kitchen, overlooking the lotus pond is a
breakfast area. Javanese-style glass lanterns hang from the
ceiling, together with paddle fans. The circular marble-topped
breakfast table is flanked by six chairs with brightly
coloured yellow green and orange cushions matched by a
decorative panel on the wall. A guest washroom is located next
door.
Media Room
Bordering the lotus pond is a cosy media room, reminiscent of
a wooden chalet, and furnished with an oversized sofa with
deep cushions in gorgeous shades of green, turquoise and
orange. Colourful artwork adorns the walls, and there is also
a sofa-bed, a leather lazy rocking chair, a double-decker
coffee table, some attractive lamps, shelf units, and a
leather woven mat on the floor. The room is built around four
recycled timber pillars that support the roof. Folding doors
open directly on to the lotus pond, so that the pavilion
appears to float. Guests can relax in air conditioned comfort
or they can open the doors wide and be cooled by ceiling fans
and natural breezes.
The Media room is equipped with a TV together with DVD/CD
players, and dial-up Internet access. A small Vaio laptop
computer has been installed for those who would rather not
bring their own. The high quality sound system is linked to
speakers all around the villa, or alternatively music can
simply be contained within the media room. There is a
connection to the amp for those who want to listen to music
stored on their personal iPods or laptops.
Main Hall
The central focus of the villa is the magnificent main hall,
an expansive living and dining area with folding doors on
either side that open wide to allow the cool breezes to
circulate. The soaring roof in this splendid pavilion is 8.5
meters high, and supports paddle ceiling fans. The hall is
furnished with a formal teak dining table that comfortably
seats ten and is lit by pendulous globe-shaped lanterns.
Traditional Indonesian artifacts are displayed on wall
shelves, while chairs and a huge daybed, complete with an
abundance of cushions, is positioned around a funky coffee
table. Lamp-stands in the form of wooden Javanese statues,
together with a huge, crystal wall mirror, complete the
picture of luxury. Folding doors composed of wood and glass
open onto a sunny Batu Yogya stone terrace, which doubles the
living space of the hall making it a perfect venue for
parties.
Bedrooms
Each of the three air-conditioned bedrooms presents a theme;
each boasts an en-suite bathroom, and each is equipped with
air-conditioning, ceiling fans, a mini-bar/fridge and safe
deposit box. The two master bedrooms enjoy soaring roofs and
magnificent views together with sunny balconies at the front,
furnished with lazy chairs, overlooking the garden and pool.
Fitted with ceiling fans, the balconies are great spots for
relaxing with morning tea or afternoon cocktails.
The Bali Room is furnished with a super-king-size four-poster
bed canopied with the traditional hand-woven textile known as
‘Ikat’. The room features polished teak floors and French
windows with louvre shutters, which open out onto the terrace
and balcony. Antique furniture, bedside tables and lamps
create a romantic ambience. Timeworn stained glass doors lead
into a large dressing room with a Batu Yogya stone floor, a
massage bed and an abundance of cupboards with antique louvre
doors. This room can also be used for nursery, and a cot can
be provided. Another colonial style door leads into the
expansive cream-coloured terrazzo bathroom, featuring ‘his and
hers’ washbasins resting upon a terrazzo vanity unit. There is
also a huge wall mirror, hanging lamps, ceiling fans, an
alcoved toilet, and a powerful overhead rainshower
complemented by the thoughtful provision of a handheld shower.
A glass skylight in the roof allows the sunlight to stream in
above a sunken sculptured terrazzo bathtub, which is big
enough for two. Decorative green bamboo trunks in terrazzo
pots add to the tropical feel.
On the opposite side of the terrace, double doors open into
the Colonial Room with its lovely polished teak floor, and a
super-king-size four-poster bed with white drapes and
snakeskin cushions. A gold-framed mirror hangs on the wall and
French windows with louvre shutters enhance the colonial
theme. The bedroom is furnished with a desk, armchairs, and an
ottoman at the end of the bed, and there is a dressing area
with fitted cupboards. The en-suite bathroom is L-shaped;
fixtures and furnishings include an oversized sunken
sculptured terrazzo bathtub, ‘his and hers’ washbasins, a
toilet hidden within an alcove, hanging lamps, a rainshower
with a handheld shower, a massage bed and ceiling fans. The
bathroom has an open air feel, due to the provision of glass
windows in the roof, maximizing the natural light.
The Bamboo Room is accessed by double antique doors, and can
be set up with two beds for younger guests or as double room.
The en-suite cream terrazzo bathroom features twin washbasins,
a toilet hidden within an alcove, ceiling fans, and a
rainshower with a handheld shower. Glass windows in the roof
maximize the natural light.
Garden & Pool
A wrought iron gate heralds the entrance to a central flight
of steps leading down to the pool through an avenue of
umbrella ferns. The beautiful garden then rolls down to a
river located behind its boundary walls. The garden is dotted
with sweet-scented frangipani and orchids, and bordered by
mature trees including teak, coconut palms, and a towering
breadfruit tree. On either side of the garden is a banana,
palm and pandanus plantation.
Although the gate is an attractive feature in itself, this
with an adjoining fence separates the main house from the pool
to ensure the safety of any young children staying at the
property.
The 18-metre mango-shaped swimming pool is 1.5 meters deep
with a large platform area just 15 centimeters deep for kids.
The cobalt-blue tiled pool is filled with light salt water
instead of chlorine, and is equipped with an innovative
filtering system utilizing pure water from the villa’s own
bore.
The stone pool terrace is furnished with six sun loungers,
table and chairs, four large Balinese parasols, and two
poolside statues of Balinese gods and goddesses. On one side
is a barbeque ‘bale’ pavilion, with a thatched ‘alang alang’
roof, a dining table for six, a fridge, a fan, an intercom to
the house, speakers for the sound system, and a sink. A
washroom is located behind the pavilion, and the staff will
prepare barbeques beside the pool. Additionally, there is a
poolside reading bale, fitted with bamboo blinds, a fan, and a
colourful mattress and cushions.
Twelve flaming torches at night cast a stunning reflection of
the Balinese parasols within the still water of the pool,
turning the scene into a romantic little paradise, serenaded
by a chorus of frog song.
At the bottom of the garden is a rustic brick wall with a door
opening onto the river bank; here guests will find a simple
and private riverside bale, perfect for meditation. This is
also the site of a holy spring, where offerings to the gods
are made by the local villagers. Eighty meters along the
river-bank is the village temple. Guests will be welcomed at
temple festivals, some may even be lucky enough to witness a
barong dance or other Hindu ceremony. The villa staff will be
happy to help with ceremonial clothing and advice on
etiquette.
Location
Villa Mako is hidden away in the traditional village
Tiyingtukul, just five minutes’ drive from the beach at Canggu
on Bali’s south west coast. This out of town setting offers
the double attraction of being close to everything that guests
might need, while also presenting a fascinating insight into
the traditions of rural Bali. The neighboring Echo Beach, with
its world-class surf breaks and panoramic coastline views, is
the place where the local community gathers in the evenings to
watch the legendary sunsets. The trendy Seminyak area is just
twenty minutes’ drive from the villa, presenting an exciting
nightlife, together with an abundance of trendy boutiques,
luxurious spas, and internationally acclaimed restaurants –
including the famous ‘Ku Dé Ta’, ‘Kafé Warisan’, ‘Living
Room’, ‘Hu’u’ and ‘La Lucciola’.
The location of Villa Mako offers easy access up to the
mountains and rice terraces on the western slopes of the
island, and is just twenty minutes’ drive from the Sunset
Route, gateway to the eastern side of the island. The
international airport is between twenty-five and thirty-five
minutes’ drive depending on the traffic. The location is also
convenient for all of the shopping malls and main tourist
attractions. Easily accessible sporting amenities include the
‘Canggu Club’, just eight minutes’ away, and the nearby
‘Nirwana Bali Golf Course’. Designed by Greg Norman, this was
voted the number 1 golf course in Indonesia; it is situated
beside the dramatic, waved-lashed sea temple of Tanah Lot. For
horse lovers, the ‘Umalas Equestrian Centre’ is just a few
kilometers away.Staff
Villa Mako is fully serviced by:
A house manager - Oversees and
coordinates the staff and property and is available to assist
guests during their stay.
One cook - Trained in the preparation
of both local and international cuisine. A menu is provided,
and the cook will do all the market shopping.
Two maids - Responsible for
housekeeping duties, taking care of your daily laundry and
providing waiter service around the grounds and buildings of
the property.
Two security guards - Their duties are
to patrol the grounds and guard the entrance of the villa from
dusk to dawn ensuring your security.
One gardener and pool attendant -
Tending the garden and the grounds of the villa. They ensure
that the facilities of the villa run smoothly during your
visit.
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