The Ylang Ylang
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Nestled between coconut trees and the volcanic basalt sands of Ketewel, Sanur on Bali’s southeast coast, the six-bedroom The Ylang Ylang residence oozes luxury and glamour. The Ylang Ylang’s lifestyle mantra is ‘passionate serenity’ – a concept that abounds throughout with interiors revealing exquisite tastes and sophisticated facilities for discerning guests, including a 16-metre pool and home-theatre. The secluded beachfront setting overlooking the Badung Strait offer a retreat of absolute calm and well-being.
Contemporary Asian in design and lavishly appointed, the architectural grandeur of this six-bedroom property emphasises majestic dimensions to create an atmosphere of serenity and refinement. And, with its idyllic scenery of verdant rice fields and coconut groves, this beachfront property resting on landscaped gardens and facing the Indian Ocean’s crashing surf is quite simply a spectacular sight.
At The Ylang Ylang, the pursuit of relaxation is a serious business with a top-notch theatre room and a series of intimate, luxurious outdoor spaces, while gastronomic pursuits are more than satisfied by the kitchen, which produces fine dining par excellence.
This beautiful villa has been lovingly designed and furnished by its owner with hints of Versace and European sophistication and it’s no wonder as guests have included international celebrities and royalty, discreetly served by the experienced yet charming villa staff.
Villa Ylang Ylang is much more than a luxury beachside residence, with yoga and spa treatments, health-conscious food and calming chill-out zones – it’s a retreat of majestic beauty and food for the soul.
This haven includes
Unique features
Location
The Ylang Ylang rests in the quiet coastal village of Saba in an area collectively known as Ketewel within Bali’s eastern Gianyar Regency. This eastern coastal region is an exceptional part of the island - naturally beautiful, unspoilt and packed with cultural and scenic attractions. Saba is the quintessential Balinese village, distinctive with its stretches of emerald rice fields and coconut groves, dotted with a harmonious mix of unobtrusive expat residences and local dwellings.
The Ylang Ylang’s gardens stretch down to Saba Beach, with a reminder of Bali being a volcanic island, as its sands are shimmering black. The deserted stretch of beach offers unobstructed panoramas with stunning views across the Badung Strait and Nusa Penida, one of Bali’s smaller sister islands. And on a clear day, the silhouette of towering volcano, Mount Agung, is visible in the distance. Sunrises are a spectacular treat here, especially over Nusa Penida’s limestone cliffs.
A tidal river flows some of the time between the beach and villa. For half of the year, you can just stroll down to the beach directly. As Peanut River alters its course with every changing season, the other half of the year requires crossing the river by way of a small boat provided by the villa to access the beach.
With strong currents directly in front, it’s safer to swim in a protected bay area just five minutes westwards (or head south to the calm waters of nearby Sanur). The famous surf spot Keramas, also known for the famed Komune beach club is only five minutes away, one of Bali’s top surf spots with the rare option of night surfing. The offshore reef here is renowned for its surf breaks, and there’s excellent surfing to be had ten minutes in either direction of the villa: nearby Mascheti Beach has world-class surf breaks and hosts international surfing tournaments.
Saba is famous for its traditional Gamalan music, with some of the finest Legong dancers on the island hailing from here. Private dance performances at the villa can be arranged on request. Balinese Hindu purification ceremonies are held beside the sea at nearby sacred Pura Segara sea temple; the main temple stands at the entrance to the road leading to The Ylang Ylang, where prayer blessings are performed daily.
More information for Things to do The villa manager will typically have a wealth of information about nearby places of interest and will help arrange transport and make any bookings required. Do also ask the staff about the local area. Invariably some of them will live nearby and will be able to give an interesting insight into some of the fascinating aspects of Bali life.
In the meantime, here is a taste of the many and varied activities on offer within reach of the villa.
- If you’ve always dreamt of galloping along the beach at sunset, now’s your chance. Saba Bay stables, located in Saba village, can arrange horse riding trails along the black sands and crashing waves of Saba Beach, passing bamboo and alang-alang plantations, local temples – even the villa itself!
- You’re just 20 minutes’ drive from the historical village of Sanur, Bali’s original tourist enclave. Its lovely broad expanse of golden sands sheltered by a reef makes this for the perfect spot for safe swimming. Make the most of the diverse array of water sports available and some excellent eating places along the five-kilometre seafront promenade.
- Don’t miss a trip up to Bali’s cultural and artistic hub, Ubud, a 25-minute scenic drive. This is the best place to catch traditional Balinese dance performances – especially at the town’s Royal Palace, magically illuminated at night. Ubud has also recently evolved as an upmarket destination, boasting cutting-edge restaurants like Mozaic and world-class spas such as award-winning COMO Shambhala.
- You can purchase plenty of arts, crafts and souvenirs in Ubud, but why not get them at source, at Ubud’s outlying traditional artisan villages? There’s wider options at great value to be found at Celuk, famous for silverware, Batubulan for stone carvings, Mas for wood carvings and Sukawati, for its arts and crafts market – all just 10 to 20-minutes drive away.
- Just off the mainland are the islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida – both famous for their scuba diving and snorkeling, with excellent dive sites and rich marine life. Boat trips from Sanur or Padangbai can easily be arranged. Further along the east coast, Amed and Tulamben offer isolated reefs – the latter, also has shipwreck diving.
- Plenty of family attractions in the area include Bali Safari & Marine Park, just five minutes away, home to hundreds of animals, with elephant back safari and marine park. Alternatively, just up the coast in Amuk Bay, marvel at stunning marine life and coral reefs without getting your feet wet, with Odyssey Submarine Adventure.
- The island’s world-famous Bali Spirit Festival of Dance, Music and Yoga is actually hosted only ten minutes from the villa, at Batuan. This annual celebration attracts thousands from around the globe, plus celebrated musicians, yogis and dancers. At other times, yoga devotees can book private yoga classes at the villa, or head to Ubud’s renowned Yoga Barn.
- Fashionistas and shop-a-holics should drive over to the west coast – around 45 minutes away – where you’ll find Bali’s most cosmopolitan enclave, Seminyak. Here, indulge in globally-inspired gourmet restaurants, stylish boutiques and hipper-than-thou bars on Seminyak beachfront.
- For a day of culture and dramatic landscapes elsewhere, drive north to the mountain town of Bedugul. From here, explore three volcanic lakes, including Bratan, with its photogenic and stunningly positioned Pura Ulun Danu – one of Bali’s most sacred temples.
LEAVE THE PLANNING TO US
Shake off the stress of holiday planning. Let the Elite Concierge take care of all your bookings and arrangements, from transport, tours and restaurant reservations, to any special requests for your arrival. We’re here to make your holiday experience extraordinary.
Quick facts
The layout
Indoor Living
- Two-story main pavilion with 11m high atrium featuring an open-sided living and dining area with various spaces for relaxation
- Formal dining area accommodating 12-14 people
- Separate, fully-equipped kitchen
- Air-conditioned theatre room equipped with satellite TV, DVD and wall-projected movie screen, large sofas and well-equipped office
- Mezzanine-style gallery provides and two intimate dining space and a centrally-positioned balcony with bi-fold glass doors
Outdoor Living
- 16m salt-water swimming pool central to the villa’s expansive manicured lawn area
- Large stone pool deck furnished with multi-functional sun bed and umbrellas
- Timber sundeck located towards the river with sun loungers and umbrellas
- Two traditional bales at either end of the property
The rooms
King Bedrooms
- Two luxurious master suites face each other across the pool and furnished with king-sized, contemporary four-poster bed, vanity and couch
- Outdoor furnished terrace with private plunge pool
- Lavish ensuite bathroom featuring large sunken-baths, room-size walk-in shower, his n’ hers washbasins and small courtyard
- Satellite TV and DVD player
- Air-conditioned
Queen Bedrooms
- Two queen-rooms furnished with queen-sized, four-poster beds
- Wood and glass sliding doors leading to chic ensuite bathrooms featuring mini-sunken-tubs that double a showers (massage shower)
- Air-conditioned
Junior Bedrooms
- Two twin rooms which are accessed via internal sliding doors from each of the queen guestrooms – ideal for families with children
- Twin bed configuration with mosquito netting (in one room)
- Ensuites with showers
- Air-conditioned
Dining
With Villa Ylang Ylang’s secluded location, the Villa’s chef is pivotal to guest enjoyment. Fortunately, the Resident Chef is extremely talented; not only can she produce gourmet local specialties, Asian, European and fusion dishes, but on a fine-dining level you’d expect to find in an up market hotel.
Mealtimes here are an occasion; staff are well-versed in hosting guests ranging from families to VIPs, from buffets to elaborate sit-down dinners. In addition the villa’s multiple dining areas provide numerous possibilities, from poolside barbecues to three-course formal dinners at an exquisitely-set table.
Emphasis is on delicious, freshly-made and healthy food and the Chef can accommodate special diets such as Detox and South Beach, as well as other dietary requests. Even the beverages are discerning, with three coffee makers, 40 varieties of teas, a superb selection of fine wines and cosmopolitan cocktails.
The kitchen can provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. Extensive suggestion menus are available, including vegetarian and children’s, but if alternative options are required, the chef and assistant are flexible and more than happy to discuss. Guests are requested to order at least one day in advance so that staff can provision and prepare in good time.
While the villa has large food preparation areas and is highly capable, it cannot operate on the same basis as a restaurant, accepting individual orders for every guest. It is appreciated if groups select the same dish or order shared dishes.
Groceries and beverages are charged at cost price plus 20%++ handling fee. Guests are requested to provide cash in advance; staff will then purchase the goods and keep receipts for reference. Costs are tallied up at the end of the stay, but can be checked on a day-to-day basis if preferred.
The Ylang Ylang
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