Villa ECB 0042 comprises three pavilions spread out over a series of terraces, separated by pools and lily ponds and linked by a covered walkway lined with antiques and artefacts. From the traditional Balinese entrance, lava-stone steps lead across an ornamental pond to an open-sided living pavilion facing the swimming pool and sun terrace. Lower down, reached via further steps over cascading ponds, is the stand-alone guest bedroom suite, while up on the highest level, opening onto a terrace and pond above the pool, is the master suite and a twin-bedded guest suite.
Sitting at the centre of villa ECB 0042, with rice-terrace views beyond louvered shutters, is the open-sided, fan-cooled antique joglo living pavilion with its magnificently carved pillars and ornate ceiling. On one side, parallel to a pond complete with fire-bowl and carved sandstone screen, sits a four-metre-long teak wood table that, with tub chairs at the heads and cushioned benches on both sides, seats 10 with space to spare. On the other side, an over-sized sofa and chairs looks onto the waterfall-fed swimming pool and, rising above, the master bedroom pavilion. Hidden behind a wall of reclaimed brick is a small but well-equipped kitchen with two fridges, wine fridge, espresso machine and a walk-in pantry.
In the garden are more corners for relaxation. On the poolside sundeck a pair of sun loungers sit side-by-side, and a daybed shaded by an age-greyed thatch roof is raised on river rocks for a better view of the rice terraces. All three bedrooms boast delightfully private seating in a hidden garden setting.
The palatial master bedroom suite is simply stunning. Between soaring reclaimed teak wood pillars raised on terrazzo plinths rests a king-size bed cocooned by billowing net curtains to create a room-within-a-room. A large sitting area with deeply cushioned over-size sofa and armchairs leads onto a sun-drenched terrace with double sunbed looking over a foliage-strewn pond towards the living pavilion below. Behind the bed is a huge dressing area and to the side are sliding doors to an enormous semi-open bathroom with statement river-stone bathtub set by an antique Chinese screen.
Behind the master bedroom suite and under the same soaring roof is a guest bedroom. Here, twin beds flanked by built-in wardrobe and dressing tables face a small sun terrace guarded by a Ganesha statue and, to one side, a tropical garden bathroom.
Occupying its own pavilion on the lower terrace is a second guest bedroom. Defining the space is the four-pillar core of a traditional joglo, into which a king-size bed sits on a raised terrazzo platform. To one side, a daybed rests between twin desks; on the other, sliding doors open onto a private garden. Beyond the dressing area is a large bathroom under a separate pavilion roof, with a huge river-rock tub for sun-bright or starlight bathing.
Villa ECB 0042 – a part of villa complex (including villas ECB 0043 and ECB 0044) which is located in a quiet street in the rural district of Berawa, near Canggu. There’s not much in the immediate area apart from a number of luxury villas, acres of rice fields and the rugged surf beach of Berawa (2km). Within a two-kilometre radius of villa complex are a number of café-style restaurants, a delicatessen, some simple spas, and a yoga venue.
