Villa Sungai Tinggi

Villa Sungai Tinggi is a vast (2.7-hectare) rural estate on Bali's south-west coast, within easy reach of Seminyak, Tanah Lot and Echo beach. With over 100 metres of absolute beach frontage overlooking one of Bali's famed surf breaks, it promises spectacular ocean views from almost every room.

The fully staffed villa comprises four bedrooms (plus two lounges convertible to additional bedrooms), a glorious open-sided living and dining pavilion and an 18-metre infinity edge pool surrounded by gardens defined by the beach and a small river. It's the perfect choice for extended families or groups of friends, while an abundance of space and astonishing setting also make it a popular wedding venue.

Villas like Sungai Tinggi are few and far between. This enchanting, traditionally inspired family home is a travel destination in itself, set within a vast 2.7-hectare estate that boasts over 100 metres of absolute beach frontage looking onto one of Canggu's renowned surf breaks.

Villa Sungai Tinggi (meaning high river) was designed by long-term Bali residents as a spacious and comfortable family home. Created in the style of a traditional Balinese compound, the villa comprises a series of living and sleeping pavilions oriented for optimum privacy as well as for the glorious ocean views. The liberal use of local materials exotic hardwood and terrazzo floors, coral-limestone walls and vaulted alang alang thatched roofs is testimony to the owners passion for Bali, as is their stunning collection of museum-quality art and artefacts that contribute to the villa's unique character and charm.

This appreciation for the local environment extends to the villa's magnificent tropical gardens, which make a dream setting for a tropical wedding celebration. Soft rolling lawns dotted with fragrant frangipanis and swaying coconut palms hug the landscape's natural contours, while a free-form 18-metre infinity swimming pool blends seamlessly with the ocean stretching to the horizon. A circular deck provides ringside seats for viewing Bali's spectacular sunsets, and a traditional thatched bale decorated in black and white check makes an inviting respite from the sun. Work on your serve at the tennis court, arrange for a soothing massage in your room, or gather for cocktails in the impressive living pavilion. With such a choice of social and private space, Villa Sungai Tinggi is perfect for families or groups of friends.

Villa Sungai Tinggi's friendly staff pride themselves in taking good care of their guests, love children, and have a wicked sense of humour. From cooking delicious Balinese meals to preparing your canopied bed at night and running your rose petal bath, they will ensure your stay at Villa Sungai Tinggi is truly memorable in every detail. And should you wish to explore beyond the villa, a car and driver are at your disposal for sightseeing, shopping and adventure.

Living areas

Indoor living The huge open-sided wantilan-style living pavilion is Villa Sungai Tinggi's social hub. Cooled by ceiling fans and sea breezes, it accords guests spectacular views across the garden towards the ocean from a variety of seating areas set on cream terrazzo floors under a soaring two-tiered roof. Huge sofas-provide comfortable space for lounging. A magnificent Saurwood table seats 14 for formal dining, while a smaller breakfast table provides a more intimate space for four and the coconut-shell bar is the perfect setting for sundowners and cookery demonstrations.

From the living pavilion a covered boardwalk leads to the villa's kitchen well equipped and beautifully decorated with a design palette of cream terrazzo and lime-washed teak.

Incorporated within the master bedroom pavilion is the TV lounge (which can be converted to an extra bedroom for two with attached shower room if required) handsomely furnished, with shelves of books and fascinating artefacts adorning every surface, this room makes an ideal retreat for a quiet read, or for watching a movie on the flat-screen TV, which is artfully concealed within an antique Indonesian cabinet.

The upper floor lounge above the guest bedrooms is blessed with panoramic ocean views. Its wide windows can be flung open to catch the sea breeze or closed for air-conditioned comfort, while rattan chairs and a huge daybed make this a comfortable retreat at any time of the day. This room can also be converted to a bedroom if required.

Outdoor living Sungai Tinggi's owners have lavished much love and attention into creating the villa's lush landscaped gardens; fishponds with bubbling water features, fragrant frangipanis and tropical coconut palms all mix harmoniously with the surrounding natural environment. From the living pavilion, manicured lawns of Japanese grass roll towards the beach, and the natural green-stone pool free-form in design is perfect for refreshing dips. Sun seekers will enjoy lounging on the poolside deck and the garden bale is just the spot for sea-breeze-cooled siestas. As night falls, dinner can be served at the poolside table under a canopy of stars.

Bedrooms

Master suite Sungai Tinggi's master bedroom is spectacular. Here, an exquisite collection of antiques and artefacts vie for attention with the ocean view beyond the private terrace. From behind the four-poster king-size bed, a Buddha statue casts its protective eyes over sleeping guests, while armchairs around a small round table provide a cosy spot for morning coffee. Hidden behind traditional carved doors is a dressing area. Equally impressive in size and decor is the garden bathroom, with open-air shower, twin washbasins and a circular terrazzo bathtub for two.

Three guest bedrooms Villa Sungai Tinggi's three guest bedrooms feature whitewashed four-poster king-size beds, draped in mosquito netting and dressed with crisp white linen and batik cushions that contrast nicely against the Bengkirai wood floor. The two downstairs rooms open onto the garden, while the upstairs bedroom opens onto a terrace with panoramic ocean views. Each comes with an iPod dock, air-conditioning and ceiling fan. All three ensuite bathrooms are individually designed one with a sunken terrazzo tub, one with an alfresco shower, and the upstairs bathroom with a shower looking out over rice-fields.

Two optional bedrooms If extra space is required, an additional two rooms can be converted to bedrooms to sleep another four guests (for a small additional charge).

The locale

Villa Sungai Tinggi is blessed with a sublime beachfront location near the rural village of Pererenan on Bali's south-west coast. Here guests can take a leisurely sunset stroll along the quiet beach, surf on one of the island's best breaks, or admire the fishermen in their brightly coloured jungles hauling in the daily catch. In this traditional rural setting, where daily offerings at the village temple and meticulous tending of rice fields are the norm, guests are privy to a real slice of local Bali life.

However, should the bright city lights beckon, the upmarket restaurants, bars and shops of cosmopolitan Seminyak are just a 30-minute drive away.