4 bedrooms
About
Welcome to Villa Des Indes I – a rare, one-of-a-kind jewel set in the exclusive Laksmana Villas in Seminyak’s most sought-after locale, moments from the beach.
The villa is designed in the style of a Dutch-era hill station, with individual living and sleeping pavilions spread around the garden. Its splendid living pavilion is a centuries-old teakwood joglo – once the residence of a Javanese aristocrat, and re-assembled in Bali. Today, with its elaborately sculpted pillars and intricately carved panels, the joglo commands centre-stage as an open-sided, open-plan living space surrounded by a 21-metre lagoon-style swimming pool and an ornamental koi pond.
Here, and in the four impeccably proportioned bedrooms, you’ll find an eclectic collection of colonial-style furniture, Asian antiques and Indonesian artefacts that add to the villa’s unique character – a gramophone cabinet in the master bathroom, a travel desk in a guest bedroom, an antique (working) telephone in the joglo, Oriental rugs and prized pieces stand on floors of polished teakwood and Palimanan stone, Dutch East Indies travel posters and black and white photos of 1930s Bali beam down from every wall. Out of sight, but always on hand, are the villa butlers, ready to meet your every whim – whether an espresso served on your bedroom veranda, silver service afternoon tea in the joglo, or a sunset cocktail prepared in the bar. Your accomplished chef will serve a hearty breakfast, and will happily prepare a light lunch or gourmet candle-lit dinner from an appealingly priced menu.
With its warm service and wonderful surroundings, you might be challenged to leave this distinctive villa (named after Holland’s legendary turn-of-the-20th-Century Hotel Des Indes). Add the best of Seminyak a short walk away – think La Lucciola, Potato Head and Bali’s most noted restaurants, boutiques and spas – and Des Indes I is the perfect choice for five-star-seeking, fun-loving families and friends.
Villa Layout
Accommodation at Villa Des Indes I is spread across a series of pavilions encircling the well-established tropical garden. From the main entrance, steps lead across a large koi pond into the intricately carved antique teakwood joglo – the villa’s centrepiece. Across the lagoon pool that curves around this elegant living space lie two master bedroom bungalows. Tucked to one side of the garden, a two-storey building houses two guest suites. On the other side is another pavilion with guest bar, guest cloakroom and, behind, the kitchen and service area.
Floorplan
Living Areas
At the heart of Villa Des Indes I is the magnificent living pavilion – a centuries-old elaborately carved teakwood joglo, once the home of a Javanese aristocrat and believed to be the best preserved in Bali. Within this large open-sided living space are separate zones: a dining area with table for eight, and three different seating areas where colonial-style cane and rattan sofas and planters chairs cluster around coffee tables laden with books on culture and art. Oriental carpets, lacquer ware drums and stone statues are among the myriad decorative pieces embellishing this glorious space.
In a separate pavilion is the guest bar and butler’s pantry, with antique masks lining one wall, an old cabinet brimming with spirits, and bar chairs pulled up at the counter ready for sunset cocktails. Along a corridor is the well-equipped kitchen – the chef’s domain, though guests are welcome to use it if so inclined.
Further living spaces are found within the sleeping pavilions: an air-conditioned den/library in the master pavilions, and verandas off the guest rooms provide private corners for repose away from the crowd.
Within the garden is a cushioned balé that invites lengthy afternoon siestas. Even within the lagoon pool, there are places to sit, semi-submerged with a cocktail or good book.
Bedrooms
Master suites
In each of the two master suites, on an aged teakwood floor under a vaulted pavilion ceiling, sits an oversized four-poster bed, with King Koil mattress dressed in fine cotton bedding. Antique furniture and heritage artefacts enrich every surface, along with art books, magazines, and a 37-inch satellite-channel TV. An elegant dressing area leads to an enormous air-conditioned bathroom with twin basins, bathtub, walk-in shower and garden shower. Each master has its own air-conditioned den/library, with a fascinating collection of fiction and non-fiction, and a plushly upholstered sofa that doubles as an extra bed. All three rooms (bedroom, bathroom and den) open onto a wide veranda of Palimanan stone, where a marble-topped table and cane-backed chairs, planters chairs and comfortably cushioned steamer chairs provide yet more choice for private lounging.
Guest suites
Occupying a separate two-level building are the two beautifully furnished air-conditioned (and fan-cooled) guest bedrooms – each with a four-poster bed (which can be configured as two singles in the upper level room), a window-seat that doubles as a spare bed, and colonial-style seating set before a 37-inch TV. Both rooms open onto a veranda, and also have a walk-through dressing area and ensuite bathroom (the downstairs room with alfresco shower and bathtub). The upper level bedroom has its own entrance across the koi pond, and can also be accessed from the garden bedroom; useful for families who prefer inter-connecting rooms.
Quick Facts
Laksmana Villas, Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia.
8 adults (4 bedrooms: 2 with king-size beds, 1 with queen, and 1 set of twin beds that can be joined to create a king) plus extra beds for 4 additional guests (adult or children) on request (additional charge applies).
Fan-cooled living and dining area; air-conditioned den/library/study within both master suites; bar pavilion and butler’s pantry; garden balé.
21-metre lagoon pool. 1m-2m depth.
Villa manager; assistant manager; chef; cook; butlers/housekeeping; garden and pool staff; maintenance; security (night-time only at villa, 24-hour for estate). Additional staff (babysitters, masseuses) available on request.
Breakfast is complimentary; priced menu of Western, Asian, vegetarian and children’s dishes for lunch and dinner; chef also experienced in Japanese and Thai cuisine; requests accommodated (including special diets).
Fibre-optic internet with WiFi; landline for local calls (international calls charged); mobile phone coverage; phones in all rooms; laptop (and fax/printing) on request.
37-inch TV with satellite channels in all four bedrooms; Bose sound system; books and magazines in every room.
Villa Des Indes makes a great villa choice for families. Equipment such as baby cot, high chair, booster seat, baby monitor and pool fence can be supplied on request for a small additional charge.
In-villa treatments selected from a comprehensive spa menu can be carried out by visiting spa therapists (extra cost applies).
The villa’s central Seminyak location places many attractions within easy walking distance. If transport is required, the villa staff will happily call one of the island’s safe and reasonably priced metered taxis, or organise the hire of a car and driver for day trips further afield.
Barbecue; back-up generator; safety deposit boxes; 2 massage beds.
1,565 sqm (land); 783 sqm (build).
