Puri Nirwana Villa 3528

It’s the perfect name for this patch of paradise poised by a black-sand beach on the edge of Cucukan, a traditional Balinese village on the island’s south-eastern shore. Villa 3528 dazzles with its sweeping sea vistas and stunning contemporary-colonial architecture —colonnaded verandas, highly decorated ceilings, acres of marble floor, plantation shuttered windows, light-filled interiors, and profound sense of space that invokes heritage hotels and bygone days of grand travel. Flitting through shaded corridors are smartly uniformed staff, ever ready with an ice-cold towel, refreshing drink and ready smile.

Somerset Maugham would have felt quite at home here, gazing through the row of Casuarina trees lining the beach across the ocean to Nusa Penida rising on the horizon. 21st Century travelers will welcome more contemporary luxuries: supremely comfortable beds in all six suites, air-conditioning even in the stately ensuite bathrooms, a media room and gourmet kitchen.

It’s easy to slip into a transcendent state in such a blissful setting. Start the day with an early morning stroll along the promenade, meeting fishermen with their catch as Gunung Agung’s mystical peak appears above the clouds. Spend mornings by the pool, mesmerised by the breakers foaming on the shore. In the heat of the day retreat to the upper level lounge to play pool or just relax in the sea breeze. Enjoy an afternoon siesta or massage in the ornately carved joglo spa. In the early evening cool, savour the sunset with a cocktail in the raised beach-edge balé, serenaded by the surf and cicadas.

Villa Layout

• Villa’s main living areas, master suite and one guest bedroom occupy a contemporary two-storey ocean-facing building, linked to the two-storey Garden Wing sleeping pavilion behind.
• From the grand pivot-door entrance, an open reception area leads into the villa, where the dining room runs the full length of the ground floor, opening onto a formal living room to one side, and the Master Suite and media room (with French doors to the kitchen) on the other.
• From the reception area are stairs to the open-sided lounge, ocean-vista living room (which doubles as the villa’s seventh bedroom) and Sea View guest suite.
• Colonnaded verandas link this building on both levels to the Garden Wing where two ensuite guest bedrooms occupy each level, linked by another staircase as well as an elevator.
• A separate joglo within the gardens houses the villa spa, and at the beachfront is the pool, sundeck, balé and dining gazebo.

Indoor Living

• With an excellent choice of formal and casual living areas, guests at Villa 3528 can gather together in comfort with space to spare, or retreat to quiet corners away from the crowd.
• The formal living room is bright and breezy, with a wall of glass doors opening onto a sun-drenched terrace. Upholstered sofas and chairs cluster around a large coffee table, encouraging genial conversation. Leading off is a gallery lined with glass-fronted cabinets containing the owner’s curios and collectibles.
• Above is a colonial-style living room sprawling under a soaring four-pillar teakwood joglo core. Here, plantation shutters filter the sea breeze or can be flung open to make the most of the fabulous 180-degree ocean vista. Languish on the four-poster daybed, or convene around the semi-circular sofa for a sunset cocktail. Those happy to sleep without air-conditioning can also have this room made up as a bedroom; there is an ensuite shower room and a long vanity with double basins.
• Also on the second level is a breezy open-sided lounge protected to one side by a bank of plantation shutters, with pool table, and dining table for six commanding stunning sea views through a trio of open arches.
• Running the length of the main pavilion is the formal dining room, oriented to the ocean views beyond a wall of glass doors that can be closed for air-conditioned comfort or opened to the breeze. Dominating this space is a monumental table formed from the cross-section of a massive tree, which seats 16 in supreme comfort, and up to 20 without a squeeze.
• Sandwiched between the dining room and the professional kitchen, the media room is a magnet for guests of all ages who seek the pleasures of a movie or Sony Playstation in air-conditioned comfort. Sit back on a soft sofa or recliner with a magazine, browse through Indosat’s many TV channels, or choose a DVD and settle in front of the 55-inch TV. Or simply lie back and admire the traditional Kamasan paintings adorning the ceiling.
• The kitchen is huge, well equipped and features dual gas ovens, hot plates, a glass storeroom and twin state-of-the-art refrigerators. It’s the domain of the chef, but guests are welcome to make full use of it too should the urge take them.

Outdoor Living

• With its prime oceanfront location, it’s no surprise that the beach is the focus of the villa’s outdoor living space.
• The villa’s social hub is the 16-metre swimming pool with jacuzzi and shallow section for smaller kids – and nothing to separate it from the beach except for a low glass fence.
• Standing sentinel at either end is a raised balé, deeply cushioned for daytime siestas and people-watching, and a vine-covered gazebo backed by a tropical jungle scene wall, with clusters of seating providing alfresco dining for 12.
• In between, over-sized bean bags rest on an ironwood deck under a row of towering palm trees and traditional Balinese parasols.
• By the villa entrance is a colonnaded veranda where rattan chairs invite repose.
• Within the landscaped gardens is a children’s play area with sand pits and castle-building toys, and a performance area where local villagers can be invited to perform traditional dances or play gamelan before the serene backdrop of a massive Buddha face.
• Hidden within the villa's tropical gardens is an elaborately carved Javanese joglo with a distinctive trapezium-shaped roof. This romantic antique building houses the villa’s spa, with massage beds and chairs, hair styling and mani/pedi sections, a garden bathroom with a copper bathtub, sit-up Japanese style tub and a shower courtyard.

Bedrooms

• Master bedroom: 
  • located at garden level in the main villa building, king-size four-poster beds, ensuite bathrooms with bathtub, view across the lawn towards the sea and Nusa Penida
• Four Garden Wing Guest Suite:
  • Connected to the main villa by shady colonnades and verandas, the Garden Wing houses four air-conditioned guest suites
  • Two are on the garden level and two are upstairs, reached by a staircase and an elevator.
  • In each, the bed rests under an ornately decorated ceiling, with a queen-size trundle bed tucked away underneath — ideal for families with young kids, of four kids sharing a room.
  • Plantation-style shutters filter the light, closing for privacy or opening to the cooling sea breezes and glorious garden views. B
  • eyond a curtained opening is a large handsomely tiled bathroom with marble floors, twin vanities, rain shower (two in some bathrooms) and bathtub commanding centre stage.
• Sea View Guest Suite
  
  • The only bedroom on the upper floor of the main building, the Sea View suite may be the smallest but it has the largest view.
  • Enjoy sweeping ocean vistas from the four-poster bed or from the room’s private balcony, furnished with wrought iron table and chairs.
  • The ensuite bathroom is equipped with a rain shower, and right outside is the upper level living area with pool table.

Quick Facts

• Capacity: 12 people (6 king-bedded rooms). 4 trundle beds and 2 extra rollaway beds are available for 6 more adults (extra cost applies).
• Living area: 2 living rooms; media room; dining room seating 20; additional dining area for 6; poolside fan-cooled gazebo with alfresco dining for 12; poolside bale; modern kitchen
• Pool: Length 16m x width 5m x depth 0.8-1.5m, with jacuzzi section.
• Staff: Owner rep; assistant villa manager; butler; housekeepers; 24-hour security; gardeners
• Dining: Complimentary breakfast on the first morning of your stay.  A suggestion menu of Western, Asian, vegetarian and children’s dishes.  Requests accommodated (including special diets). Grocery cost is charged 20% handling fee which is subject to service and tax at the prevailing rate. Professional chef services can be organised for an additional charge.
• Facilities: WiFi, All areas are wheelchair accessible; elevator; barbecue; diesel powered back-up generator; safety deposit boxes, 55-inch TV with Indovision and DVD player; outdoor speakers; bluetooth; PlayStation; pool table.
• Property area: 4,500sqm (land).

Things To Do

• Villa 3528 is located on the East coast of Bali away from the maddening tourist crowds within Cucukan Village in the Gianyar District. Experience the real Bali as you stroll the beach steps away from the villa’s lush lawn, and mingle with the local villagers as they go about their day to day lives.
• Be welcomed by locals to authentic Balinese life in the surrounding 24 house family village and see them working in the nearby rice paddies, tending to their cattle and ducks or creating magnificent glass art in a fully operational glass factory. Witness the beauty of local rituals and traditions as these gentle Hindus worship in one of the nine largest temples (Pura) in Bali all close to the Villa.
• The fishermen from the nearby fishing village usually bring the freshest seafood direct from the ocean to the villa entrance and you can place a special request for them to bring many of lobsters for the next day poolside BBQ party.
• Cucukan Village is home to around 200 local Balinese who have lived for hundreds of years within the area, with not a great deal changing over the years. Its secluded proximity to the rest of the island has provided an opportunity for this tiny village to achieve its own special identity. These gentle Balinese farmers, who tend their rice paddies, geese, ducks and pigs, are also expert fishermen who launch in the early hours bringing back an array of fresh lobster and delectable seafood each day.
• With nine major temples in the area guests can immerse themselves in the beauty of Balinese traditions and rituals, and a traditional dinner with village heads (Banjar) can also be arranged.
• The magical black sand beach serves as a dramatic backdrop to village life, and is home to ex Indonesian President Megawatti. Witness the most breathtaking sunrises as the day begins with rays illuminating the ocean horizon. A favorite with internationally titled surfers the nearby Keramas beach is also frequented by locals collecting the dazzling stones and shells that wash up on shore.
• Visit the centre of a Japanese artist who specializes in the art of glass blowing, and hear traditional music accompanied by local Balinese dance, or join in with Sunday beach volley ball or soccer.
• Only twenty minutes drive to the nearby hills is the cultural artistic centre of Bali: Ubud. Across the road from the village is the Bali Safari & Marine Park, a beautiful journey into the wild kingdom in a jungle like environment, with important ecological messages combined with old Balinese stories. Bali Zoo and the two Elephant Safari Parks are a short drive away. If adrenalin is your master then you’ll love white water rafting or the off road quad bike tours. Mount Agung, an active volcano that towers over the Island of the Gods and visible from the villa, is accessible by car, and tours to witness the first touching of the sun on the island from the peak, can be arranged.
• The stunning Water Palace at Tirta Gangga is a must see. Surrounded by statues and pools, it’s a true Balinese way to cool off built by the local raja in 1946 and believed to contain water from the sacred Hindu Ganges River.
• Just 15 minutes away is the legendary Sukawati Market where the locals shop. A vast array of woven baskets, ceremonial items, paintings, hand painted cloth and wood carvings will keep you busy as you bargain with the locals and find your own personal keepsake to treasure.

Distances

• Bali Safari & Marine Park 1 km
• Saba Bay Stables 4.70 km
• Sukawati Art Market 10 km
• Bali Bird Park 15 km
• Batubulan Village 15 km
• Sanur 20 km
• Ubud 22 km
• Sideman 26 km
• Seminyak 30 km
• Candidasa 31 km
• Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) 32 km