Villa Maya Retreat

At one with nature…

The architectural design presents a series of stand-alone pavilions with thatched roofs, natural stone walls and floor-to-ceiling folding glass doors. From the moment you descend the broad stone staircase that carves its way down the river gorge, this retreat will captivate you with its beauty and tranquillity. Jungle vines hang from mature trees, moss and lichen cling to carved statues and a waterfall cascades all the way to the villa hidden below.

By the time you reach the villa it really sinks in that this is your own private paradise. A huge rust-red door swings open to reveal a lush and secluded oasis. Traditional thatch-roofed pavilions overlook the Penet River and clusters of towering bamboo, while a 12-metre swimming pool with timber deck provides the perfect spot to soak up the forest ambiance.

With six stand-alone bedrooms (three with plunge pools), this Villa is perfect for families, friends or groups looking to share their holiday experience but who also desire privacy and room to breathe. Designed with space in mind there are plenty of places to take in the views and absorb the solitude; from the curtained relaxation balés to the secret garden alcoves to the sunset lounge at the river’s edge.

The Villa is set in true rural Bali with everything you need at your fingertips. A full complement of staff, including an experienced chef, is on hand to prepare and serve delicious home-cooked Asian and Western meals. A car and driver is also on standby for those eager to explore the island or indulge in Seminyak’s trendy restaurants, bars and shops (a 45 minute drive).

A stay at is not complete without exploring the pretty neighbouring village of Cepaka, located in the heart of Bali’s ‘rice bowl’. Here, guests are privy to local traditions that have been practiced for centuries. Whether it happens while you’re witnessing a temple ceremony, watching farmers tend their fields or simply playing with the village children in the street, it’s hard not to fall under the spell of the Island of the Gods, its magic leaving you refreshed and rejuvenated for your return home.

A long stone staircase bordered by lush foliage and a man-made waterfall carves its way down a terraced gorge to the villa’s main entrance: a large rust-red cantilevered door that opens onto a lotus pond traversed by stepping stones.

Beyond the fish-filled pond, and overlooking the pool and river, is the dining pavilion which also houses an informal living area and stainless steel kitchen. Downstream from here rests the open-sided TV lounge and three standalone bedroom suites, while upstream lies the riverside lounge terrace, relaxation balé and master suite. The two remaining bedrooms are located on a terrace higher in the gorge, accessed by stairs to the rear of the kitchen and master suite.

Bedrooms

All six luxurious bedrooms are housed in separate pavilions with high-vaulted ceilings, polished terrazzo floors, ensuite bathrooms and individual patios to admire the views. Every bedroom is air-conditioned and features a four-poster king-size bed with mosquito net, additional ceiling fans and a small bar-fridge.

Master suite

Maya Retreat – master bedroom terrace The master or honeymoon suite offers total seclusion with its own private garden featuring a 5-metre plunge pool and timber sundeck overlooking the river. A slatted screen divides the ensuite bathroom from the garden enabling guests to soak up the ambiance from the cream terrazzo bathtub or the rain shower made from black volcanic stone.

The bedroom, with its traditional alang-alang roof, has a large walk-in dressing area and a small TV lounge accessorized with blue and white batik cushions. Large glass doors open onto a sheltered patio with a comfortable daybed, perfect for bird watching or relaxing to some music.
Riverside suites

Maya Retreat – 2nd riverside suite

Three thatch-roofed sleeping pavilions sit side-by-side along the riverbank offering sublime jungle views. Each spacious suite features a lovely indoor sitting area that captures the natural light and is furnished with a rattan sofa and marble topped coffee table. Glass bi-fold doors open onto an outdoor terrace.The ensuite garden bathrooms have been cleverly designed so that a real stone cliff face, dripping in vines and creepers, forms one of the walls to evoke the feeling of bathing in a jungle cave. Each ensuite has twin vanities and a black lava-stone rain shower, while the suite closest to the main living pavilion also features a terrazzo bathtub and a TV with DVD player. The other two riverside suites are equipped with their own music systems.

Upper terrace suites

Reached via a set of stairs leading up from behind the kitchen and master suite, the upper terrace suites have great views of the river valley. These light and airy suites each feature a timber deck with sun loungers and a plunge pool. The terrace suites are a later addition to the estate and are more modern in their design but still feature high-vaulted ceilings; this time with sirap-wood tiled roofs.

Each room has a black rattan sofa with white cushions and a small table perfect for afternoon tea. Both ensuite bathrooms have tubs and rain showers – one is semi-open to the elements, the other totally enclosed.

The Villas open-sided dining pavilion with its alang-alang thatched roof and polished grey floors forms the communal hub of the villa. Positioned next to the swimming pool, this fan-cooled room features a huge 4-metre-long solid wood dining table complemented by ten black rattan chairs with beige and black striped cushions, and a large vase of bright tropical flowers. An antique Javanese drinks cabinet sits to one side, along with a long wooden desk and surround-sound stereo system. This pavilion also houses an informal living area, with two comfortable rattan sofas decorated in the same striped fabric, an ottoman and a rustic coffee table.

Adjacent to the dining area is the fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel work tops and appliances. Windows retract to allow for natural ventilation and a service bar with three bar stools is just the place to enjoy a cocktail while watching the chef prepare dinner.

Across the pool another large open-sided pavilion with a two-tiered roof, fashioned in the style of a traditional Balinese wantilan (village meeting hall), forms the TV lounge, complete with 42-inch satellite TV and DVD player. Fan-cooled, this pavilion features a polished concrete floor with three sofas positioned around a marble-topped coffee table and a sideboard displaying some interesting Indonesian artefacts. A good collection of magazines and DVDs will keep guests entertained for hours.

Among the many highlights, are its lush tropical gardens, river setting and jungle vibe. Designed to maximise the villa’s natural surroundings, outdoor living spaces invite guests to unwind, relax and admire the native vegetation and fauna – in particular the iridescent blue kingfishers and alu (water monitor lizards) that scale the river banks.

The 12-metre green-stone swimming pool sits strategically at the centre of the property surrounded by a large wooden deck upon which six sun loungers are shaded by white ceremonial umbrellas. To one end of the pool is an alfresco dining area, while to the other end a traditional style balé adorned with batik cushions provides respite from the heat.

A lily pond with a tall bubbling water feature leads to a furnished terrace overhanging the river – an idyllic setting for pre-dinner drinks. Here, a comfortable U-shaped sitting area with space enough for a small party surrounds a polished tree-stump coffee table ornamented with a bonsai tree.

Next to the terrace rests a huge curtained balé which looks especially romantic when lit at night, and is a great place to enjoy a massage and be soothed by the sounds of the river. Paradise Found?

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