At the traditional village of Kutuh Kaja in Bali’s hinterland, a stone-paved driveway and teakwood gate marks the entrance to a remarkable riverside retreat. Walk through this portal and you will believe that you have penetrated another world, enveloped by raw nature and bounded by a steep valley.

River Residence is one of eight enchanting one- and two-bedroom villas at a chic boutique villa enclave known as The Purist (see also The Purist - Garden Residence). Here, privacy is the order of the day, and personal butlers are on hand to look after their guests, morning, noon and night. Some of the villas have private pools, yet for those who crave company, there is a sparkling shared swimming pool, which melts into a bamboo backdrop. Other common facilities include a spa, free use of a neighbouring gym, and a main kitchen, presenting organic home cooking from a menu that can be customised to suit any palate.

River Residence showcases numerous indigenous materials within its stylish design; ironwood shingles make up the roofs, while decorative stone walls portray a complex jigsaw of shapes. A myriad of textures will awaken the sense of touch, from polished concrete, to recycled wooden bricks, Singaraja slate, terrazzo, robust river rock, loose pebbles and smooth white Batu Yogya stone. Even the bath towels are textured!

The living and sleeping rooms are treasure troves. Gorgeous Balinese paintings adorn the walls, depicting colourful scenes from Balinese dance dramas; an antique brass drum serves as a table, primitive stone sculptures from East Timor rest beside built-in sofas, and quirky lamps are fashioned from a range of natural fibres. One could spend a week at River Residence and still be struck by the decorative embellishments and rich blend of cultural artefacts. It’s hard to believe this villa is so close to civilisation but, surprisingly, the gentle hustle and bustle of Ubud is less than two kilometres away.

Period	Net Rates
from 20 February 2012 to 14 July 2012	$ 677.6
from 15 July 2012 to 10 September 2012	$ 713.9
from 11 September 2012 to 19 December 2012	$ 677.6
from 20 December 2012 to 5 January 2013	$ 713.9

River Residence is symmetrical in design, featuring a semi-alfresco living and dining room in the centre, with a bedroom on either side. Each of these three rooms has a wonderful wooden balcony at the front, which literally overhangs the jungle and river valley, while each bedroom is adjoined by a circular bathroom. When the front door is closed, guests will be in complete privacy. There is no garden but who needs one when you only have to stand on the balcony to be in a great bamboo thicket bordered by towering coconut palms, umbrella ferns and fig trees. Behind the living room is a trickling stream – actually part of the rice field irrigation system – which just adds to the serene ambience. The living and dining room is characterised by a blend of modern, ethnic and antique furnishings and artefacts, such as an ornately-carved panel from a traditional house in Toraja, which hangs on one wall. With its timber floor and a flat ceiling supported by pillars, the room is furnished with two, deeply cushioned, built-in sofas, oriented towards the view. There is also a dining table for six, and the sunny deck-style balcony thoughtfully provides more tables and chairs. Hidden behind a door is a small kitchenette, where a two-burner gas hob can be installed if guests should feel inclined to do their own cooking.

The two air-conditioned bedrooms are both the same size and feature cool polished concrete walls on two sides and a partition of random wooden blocks behind the luxurious king-size beds. Through glass doors opening onto private balconies at the front of each room, a magical curtain of jungle is close enough to reach out and touch. With hardwood floors and soaring timber-lined roofs, the bedrooms are equipped with 31-inch TVs, DVD players and ceiling fans. Entering the bathrooms is yet another adventure, as one follows the curved grey slate walls into three distinct areas, culminating in a bathtub or rain shower open to the sky.

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