Arnalaya Beach House

Minimalist vertical lines accent this uber cool and contemporary sanctuary, which is a brief barefoot stroll from the colourful fishing boats and mighty surf of Nelayan Beach. The coveted skills of internationally acclaimed Singapore architect Sonny Chan are on full display at this rarefied ocean estate, softened with a chic mix of textures and colours rendered by Australian-born interior designer Albano Daminato. The magical lighting and every piece of furniture was custom designed in the Daminato studio specifically for the villa: spilt bamboo wall panels juxtapose reeds and grasses crafted with natural linens for window shades; sofas are wrapped in rich, delicate European and Indonesian textiles. In the expert hands of Chan and Daminato, design concepts converge to create refined elegance that is family functional and beautifully balanced.

Aesthetically gratifying for the design addict while being superbly luxurious, Arnalaya Beach House’s flexible design can accommodate up to 18 guests, with romantically canopied beds that can be configured to either kings or twins, and point blank ocean views from the picture windows of the third-floor master ensuites.

Families, sports fiends and pamper pusses will adore the private tennis court, 20-metre salt-water pool, gym, spa room and yoga platforms positioned to catch the sunrise and watch over the Hindu rituals at the neighbouring temple. Make use of the special-rate car and driver and visit some of Bali’s ethereal temples, grab a game of golf at the spectacular Nirwana course, or browse the boutiques of sophisticated Seminyak, just 20 minutes away.

The entertainment room is a real showstopper and will be a hotspot for the entire family. It’s in a separate wing – along with three guest bedrooms – and is equipped with a huge TV screen that connects you to your personal iTunes account, plus stacks of games, books, arts and craft gear.

Almost 4,500 square metres of neatly terraced lawns create a phenomenal space for special celebrations and sophisticated soirees. Then there’s the gorgeous pool- and ocean-front bale for sundowners followed by exquisite meals prepared by Arnalaya Beach House’s master chef from a mouthwatering menu of Western and pan-Asian delicacies.

Arnalaya means ‘rhythm of the waves’ in Sanskrit, and this chic retreat with its excellent staff and dream location seamlessly cultivates that allusively serene state.

VILLA LAYOUT

Enter via a high gate into the villa’s landscaped equatorial gardens stepping up to the ocean-front bale and pool. Climb the wonderfully angular staircase in the main pavilion to the lounge and dining rooms, and be lulled by the languid seascape. Two master bedrooms crown this building and have front row seats for the sunset show, with brilliant views to the horizon.

A second pavilion, overlooking the tennis court and with more spectacular sea views from its upper floor, houses the entertainment room plus three identical guest bedrooms with canopied beds, sculptured terrazzo bathrooms and gardens with fish-filled lotus ponds. In a separate single-storey building is a sumptuous spa room and the gym, which can easily and ingeniously be transformed into an extra bedroom.

LIVING AREAS

The lounge and dining room on the second floor of the main building has windows that seem to magically disappear and morph the space into avant-garde outdoor living with terraces seaward and over the courtyard.

Plush white sofas face one another, hand crafted tribal tables and skeletal bamboo chairs are scattered about, and a wall is hung with an antique batik print. The air-conditioned formal dining room seats up to 14 people at a bespoke solid teak table, and split bamboo wall panels give the space a casual vibe. Side tables are adorned with clusters of fresh white orchids, an exquisite trio of antique hair combs and mood-creating candle-lit hurricane lamps.

Over on the ground floor of the second pavilion is a sensational retreat for kids large and small. As the only room with Apple TV – loaded with Netflix, HBO, ABC, PBS KIDS and more – the entertainment room is a popular haunt with its big versatile modular sofa and sets of café-style tables and chairs. The sound system is loaded with an excellent music library, there’s a Nintendo Wii, and the bookshelves carry abundant reading material for kids and adults. This is a perfect place to wind down in the cool while watching a movie or viewing a tennis match through the wall-to-wall windows that face the court.

Facing the ocean and flanked by the shimmering swimming pool, timber decking and gardens, the pool lounge and dining bale is furnished with a metres long solid timber table for 14, hand-rendered rattan chairs and polished concrete banquette seating littered with comfy cushions. This space, which is sea-breeze- and fan-cooled, has its own fully functional kitchen with a built-in barbecue, induction cooker and cocktail bar.

BEDROOMS

Arnalaya Beach House has five ensuite bedrooms enveloped in air-conditioned comfort. By virtue of their coveted views, the two Ocean suites in the main pavilion might be considered masters, but all five rooms are of a similar size and have flexibly configured beds offering both twin or king options, making the villa ideal for fair sharing.

For larger groups, the gym can be converted to a sixth bedroom with two pull-down beds plus two extra portable beds. On the ground floor of the main building, next to the commercial kitchen, there’s also a handy small extra bedroom fitted with bunk beds and adjoined by a shower room; suitable for a nanny or other additional staff.

- Ocean suites
Two mirror-image bedrooms lie at the top of the main building, with their own terraces and a refreshingly simple design. Wardrobes are walk-in and the bathtub is stand-alone and set in front of huge windows that maximise the views. The beds create a canopied boudoir. Music wafts from Bose ceiling speakers and the TV is neatly concealed behind sleek fitted units. A comfortable sitting area is furnished with a custom-made sofa and desk and every outlook is enhanced by the seductive seascape.

A second pair of Ocean Suites, beautiful in their balance and simplicity, occupy the upper floor of the adjacent two-storey building. Softly muted colours and canopied four-poster beds create a soothing space, and the neat lines of custom-designed units conceal hanging space, luggage storage, TV and sound system. A desk and lounge area underscores an apartment-like appeal. The open terrazzo bathrooms have softly curved walls and freestanding oval tubs as well as spacious shower stalls.

- Courtyard suite
Spilling out onto the green lawn, lotus ponds and family temple, this suite is tucked into a pretty garden and offers direct access to the gym and spa. Although similar to the bedrooms above in most respects, this room also has a pull-down single bed in place of a desk making it ideal for families with a toddler, or for three older kids to share.

STAFF

Very often it’s the staff that give a villa holiday its edge, and at Arnalaya Beach House the impeccable service you’ll receive from the 16-strong team is guaranteed to please. The villa manager is an expert at running a large property with a tight army of well-trained professionals primed to anticipate your every desire. Languish in traditional Balinese hospitality delivered with international efficiency.

- Villa manager
Eka is responsible for the overall operation of the estate. His job is to oversee and coordinate the staff and property and to assist guests with concierge-style service. He is a vault of local knowledge too. Eka is supported by an assistant manager ready to step in when he is off-site.

- Chef
The villa’s private chef has worked internationally and brings with him a deep insight into western foods and dietary mores. Chef controls the daily market shopping and the development and delivery of your menu. He will prepare dishes that align to special dietary requirements or just special requests.

- Villa attendants
A host of long-serving villa attendants look after daily housekeeping and domestic duties and serve at table.

- Garden & pool
A team of three gardeners maintains Arnalaya Beach House’s lovely lawns, gardens and swimming pool.

- Security
Arnalaya Beach House is kept safe and secure 24 hours a day by three dedicated security staff working rotating shifts.

DINING

The chef has devised a menu that embraces an impressive range of international and Indonesian dishes from lunch wraps to formal multi-course dinners that will tickle your taste buds.

Always seeking out fresh and – wherever possible – organic produce, the chef is inspired by the fruit and vegetable markets of Bali and of produce from the sea. A barbecue at the pool bale is not to be missed, with juicy steaks and fresh lobster for the carnivores and herb-marinated vegetable skewers, chargrilled sweet corn with chili lime butter and quinoa tabouleh for the lucky vegetarians of the group. Chef has developed a healthy kids menu too, with an impressive list of traditional favourites and delicious snacks. Watermelon granita anyone?

Groceries and beverages are charged at market price (plus a 20% handling fee which is subject to service and tax at the prevailing rate). Guests are requested to provide grocery money in advance, and the staff will shop and keep the receipts for reference. It’s best to plan meals the evening before so staff can get to the early market to secure the best produce.

FAMILIES

This villa is a family dream made reality. Apart from the convenience of having a kitchen ready to roll out endless drinks and snacks, there are no other guests to be concerned about and you have all the security (and more) of home. Kid size tennis and badminton rackets are virtually falling out of the closet alongside a range of boredom busting games and activities. Given the sprawling nature of the villa, it is perfect for eternal games of hide and seek. Three fabulous lawns call for balls to be kicked and the beach is at the end of the garden, with a surf school nearby, body boarding and plenty of sand for castle making.

You can forget about packing the usual travelling circus of kid’s equipment, safe in the knowledge that this escape has got the kids covered. Not only are there high chairs, booster seat, a baby bath and a monitor, there is an enclosed playpen and mat and a toilet trainer seat for toddlers. Little fingers need little knives, forks and china and the kitchen is well-stocked with all.

The chef offers an exciting children’s menu and is happy to handle special requests. He is well versed at making super soft foods for learner eaters and goodies for fussy bubs.

Bali is a renowned family friendly destination where children are celebrated. A quick word to the manager will have an experienced babysitter ready to dote on your children, accompany you on tours and to restaurants or simply babysit while you are off doing your thing (extra charges apply for full-time babysitting).

SPA

The bliss of having an onsite spa should never be underestimated. With its pair of professional massage beds and deeply decadent bathtub overlooking the estate temple and gardens from a discreet corner of the grounds, Arnalaya’s peaceful spa is designed for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Spa packages can include hours of divine treatments including body scrubs, hair masks, a gentle but deeply effective Balinese massage followed by soak in a warm bath filled with fragrant tropical blooms. Sports massages, foot reflexology and beauty therapies are administered by highly experienced, internationally trained practitioners. All our very reasonably priced spa treatments are charged according to the individual therapist’s hourly rate.

SPORT

Holiday relaxation can hold a very different meaning from one person to the next, but at Arnalaya Beach House we think we’ve got most of the bases covered. Their outstanding facilities are matched by sports and wellness professionals who will maximise your experience, be it a tennis clinic, a yoga retreat, a Pilates class, circuit training or a few length of the pool followed by a soothing massage in the spa and stroll along the beach.

The private tennis court at Arnalaya Beach House is set-up to international standards and guests are welcome to use the SAM ball machine and a full range of trainer balls and tennis coaching equipment. A tennis concierge service is also available, as is a sparring partner or tennis coach, according to your preference. Tennis programmes ranging from two-hour clinics to week-long training camps under the instruction of a world class coach can be organised for adults and/or children. Bring your own raquet or, if luggage space is tight, chose from Arnalaya’s wide selection of Babolat raquets for adults and children.

The villa’s air-conditioned gym is equipped with a treadmill, Swiss balls, Pilate’s gear and TRX. Private or group classes with experienced personal trainers or Pilates instructors may be arranged, as can early morning or evening yoga sessions on the sunset deck.

WEDDINGS & EVENTS

What a unique position Arnalaya Beach House holds on the beachfront at Canggu. Indulge in the sunset-facing terraces and romantic ocean-front bale, or make a pathway of candles through the lawns littered with flower petals. This is a phenomenal canvas on which to paint your special affair. It could be a wedding, or even a corporate event given the simple nature of the dining room that could slip into boardroom duties under the expert hand of the villa manager.

We can recommend expert event organisers, florists, decorators and caterers so you can focus on relaxing and celebrating with your guests. Please check with us for all costs and conditions.