The 22km drive from Bali’s international airport takes you through Jimbaran and across the centre of the Bukit to the revered Uluwatu Temple. Enroute there are glimpses of the beautiful, if slightly arid, scenery but nothing can prepare you for the dramatic views from The Istana. Imax style panoramas from 60m up on the cliff. Surfers catch waves in the turquoise waters below, fishing boats trawl offshore and the evening sun slides over the uninterrupted horizon. Absolutely magical.

Everything about The Istana verges on palatial, from the grand entrance to the commercial kitchens complete with walk-in chillers; from the movie room with 92-inch projection screen to the secluded master suite with sunken bath and private 5m x 8m swimming pool. It is however difficult to focus on anything but the spectacular 180-degree views fronted by a magnificent 30m swimming pool set in lawns and spotted with coconut palms. For the best views though try the cliff-top balé (gazebo) where blinds glide down at the touch of a button if the glare (or breeze) gets too much.

The contemporary styled low-rise main building houses an additional four generous ensuite bedrooms, a formal dining room for 12, a casual media room and an open lounge which flows seamlessly onto the lawns. Off the back is the kitchen, home to three of the 27 staff (yes, twenty seven!). A recent addition is a kids’ area which comprises a large games room and two simple bedrooms for up to five children and a spa complete with massage rooms. Interiors throughout Villa Istana are well proportioned and tastefully finished - good understated design with a strong emphasis on local woods and stone. The workmanship, materials and finish from the recent 2007 renovation are generally excellent. Soft furnishings are stylish but practical and comfortable.

The chefs will undertake the provisioning either based on a restaurant priced menu or on your account plus a handling fee. Butlers are available 24/7, maids clean discreetly and drivers ferry around. Gardeners and engineers keep the place ticking over whilst 24-hour security ensures total privacy. There is even an in-house masseur although a local spa company comes for more sophisticated treatments – the villa manager is there to facilitate. How little or much the staff are seen is very much down to the guest.

• Air-con
• Baby Cot
• BBQ
• Bed Linen
• Board Games/Toys
• Car
• Car Parking
• DVD Library
• Electronic Games
• Ceiling Fans
• Fax
• Hairdryers
• High Chairs
• IDD
• Internet (WiFi)
• iPod
• iPod Dock/Speakers
• Iron/Board
• Laundry Service (Sent out)
• Food Menu
• Microwave
• Oven/Hotplates
• Swimming Pool Toys
• Extra Bed (Roll away/mattress)
• Safe
• Snooker/Pool Table
• CD Player/Stereo System
• Swimming Pool (Private)
• Home Theatre System
• Toiletries
• Towels
• TV (Satellite/Cable)
• Wine Fridge
• Wine List
• Coffee Machine
• Main Dining (12 persons)
• Massage Beds
• Masseuse/Spa Therapist
• Driver (8 hours)
• Chef/Cook (All meals)
• Security
• Service Staff
• Shopper
• Manager
• Housekeeping (Full time)

Period	Net Rates
from 15 April 2012 to 31 May 2012	$ 2512.12
from 1 June 2012 to 15 September 2012	$ 3453.45
from 16 September 2012 to 14 December 2012	$ 2512.12
from 15 December 2012 to 8 January 2013	$ 4030.95
from 9 January 2013 to 7 February 2013	$ 2639.18
from 8 February 2013 to 13 February 2013	$ 3638.25
from 14 February 2013 to 26 March 2013	$ 2639.18
from 27 March 2013 to 6 April 2013	$ 3638.25
from 7 April 2013 to 31 May 2013	$ 2639.18
from 1 June 2013 to 15 September 2013	$ 3638.25
from 16 September 2013 to 14 December 2013	$ 2639.18

The Istana buildings are some 50m from the cliff edge and fronted with lawns and a 30m swimming pool. Spectacularly positioned on the cliff top with breathtaking views of the ocean and Suluban Beach, a large balé (gazebo) incorporates a lounging area, bar, sunken dining table (for 12) and barbecue.

The master suite is located within a self-contained, single-storey guesthouse. Set back for complete privacy but with stunning ocean views, it comes with separate entrance and parking. The king-sized bedroom, featuring a ‘disappearing’ TV, vaulted ceiling, timber-clad walls and a recycled teakwood floor, opens out through folding doors onto a private pool terrace and ‘L’ shaped swimming pool. A sunken tub is the focal point of the expansive ensuite cream terrazzo bathroom which also features walk-in showers (inside and out), marble washbasins and floor to ceiling wardrobes and storage.

In the main house, doors to the two ocean suites (both king-bedded) fold back to reveal the dramatic ocean views, while the garden suites (also king-bedded) open up to small gardens complemented by a private walled sun-lounging area with a raised wooden deck and daybeds for relaxing. Each air-conditioned and fan-cooled suite has a capacious walk-in closet, and indoor and outdoor Bali-style bathrooms with sunken tubs and separate showers; walls are faced with timber panelling and ceilings are cathedral-like in height. Garden suites come with 42-inch plasma TV screens with DVDs and stereos.

The four main house suites connect back to the common areas – an expansive open-air living room with well stocked bar; an air-conditioned dining room for 12 complete with solid teak table and doors than can be folded right back; and a media room with 92-inch projection screen and stereo system - via colonnaded walkways edged with bubbling ponds. All are designed to maximise the stunning views The Istana offers.

At the back, one wing is devoted entirely to children. It features a lounge/living space complete with sofas, a pool table, Playstation, TV/DVD and Bose sound system. A bedroom with fitted bunks provides sleeping space for four kids, and there's also a twin nanny’s room. Behind is a dedicated spa with a salon and massage room. A large semi-commercial kitchen hidden in the rear of the villa provides the catering.

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