Villa Pangi Gita

``Welcome to Paradise`` is Villa Pangi Gita`s official greeting and it could not be more fitting for this luxurious hidden retreat. Respectful of the Balinese culture and local environment, lush terraced gardens rich with foliage and exotic blooms slope down to the river, enveloping traditional-style living and sleeping pavilions that feature polished teak and terrazzo floors, vaulted ceilings, iron-wood shingle roofs, and large glass doors that open out to the emerald green surrounds. The owner`s impressive collection of Asian antiques and superior furnishings presents a unique sense of style and demonstrates the love and commitment that has gone into making this three-bedroom villa extra special.

Water is an important feature here, and its significance is reflected in the villa`s name which translates to the `singing river Pangi` - `Gita` meaning song and `Pangi` being the name of the river that borders the property and enhances the ambiance with its blissful melody. This sound is echoed throughout the villa`s grounds, with water features, fountains and trickling fishponds cascading over terraces to create a calm and soothing atmosphere.

The villa flows with spaces for guests to unwind and relax too, from the generous open-sided living pavilion cooled by ceiling fans, to the air-conditioned study with its large satellite TV and DVD player, or the traditional bale (relaxation gazebo) that overlooks the stunning free-form swimming pool by the river`s edge.

To complement this oasis, a team of warm and friendly staff are on hand to spoil guests with their exceptional service. The experienced private chef prepares delicious home-cooked meals, while villa attendants take care of daily housekeeping duties and special requests such as serving cocktails by the pool or arranging deluxe in-villa spa treatments.

While guests will be hard pressed to leave Villa Pangi Gita, a stroll through the local village and rice fields should not be missed, along with a sunset drink at nearby surfer`s haunt Echo Beach. A complimentary car with driver is available for excursions further afield.

Accommodation
Designed by the architects of the renowned Four Seasons Hotel, this immaculate villa combines classic architecture with modern luxury and tropical landscaped gardens to create a truly standout property which houses an impressive collection of Asian antiques. Guests enter the villa through carved wooden doors which lead to a Palimanan staircase bordered on one side by a traditional Balinese wall showcasing intricate limestone murals crafted by local artists, and on the other by a terraced water feature.

A series of white stairways and stepping stones continue over the manicured lawns, past tropical plants and fishponds, three sleeping pavilions, a central living area, study and dining room, down to a free-from swimming pool by the river`s edge.

Bedrooms

Master Bedroom
The air-conditioned master bedroom, located closest to the river, is the ultimate honeymoon suite and ideal for those guests craving extra privacy. The bedroom features a delicately carved queen-size bed with mosquito canopy, polished teak floors, vaulted ceilings and large glass doors that open onto a garden patio with an outdoor table setting that is just the spot for a lazy breakfast.

Teak sliding doors reveal a huge air-conditioned bathroom tastefully decorated with polished cream terrazzo floors, his-and-hers vanities, an oversized tiled bathtub, massage table and separate walk-in shower. A special feature of this majestic bathroom is the secluded timber balcony accessed by glass doors which is the perfect place for a massage or spa treatment. The master suite also includes a huge walk-in dressing area with heaps of cupboards and hanging space, ceiling fan, small flat-screen TV, DVD player and stereo.

Guest Bedrooms
Located to the rear of the property the two air-conditioned guest bedrooms also feature polished wooden floors, vaulted ceilings and queen-size beds with mosquito canopies. Both rooms have a Balinese-style garden bathroom enclosed within traditional compound walls covered in lichen. Here guests can bathe au naturel under the rain shower or soak in the bathtub set within a teak surround.

Each guest bedroom has a small flat-screen TV and DVD player, ceiling fan and opens onto its own veranda furnished with day bed and reading chair.

Indoor Living
Strategically situated at the centre of the villa compound, the open-sided living pavilion with its traditional two-tier roof, coconut wood pillars and cool cream terrazzo floors easily earns its place as the nexus of the property, perfect for entertaining and relaxing. A large Buddha statue flanked by vases of tropical flowers casts its eye over the white-cushioned lounge where guests can lie back and take in the natural setting or admire the owner`s collection of antiques. Ceiling fans assist to cool the room and bamboo blinds can be lowered to keep out inclement weather.

Leading off the living room is the fully enclosed air-conditioned study, featuring a large flat-screen satellite TV, DVD player, iPod dock and Bose surround-sound system (which also feeds the dining room, living area and poolside bale. The wall-length bookshelf holds a good selection of books, games and puzzles as well as an extensive CD and DVD collection. The study is encircled by a fish pond with carved stone water spouts that resemble the barong - a lion-like mythical Balinese character.

Stepping stones cross the fish pond to the elevated dining room that accommodates eight people and is enclosed on three sides by wood-framed glass doors to maximise the views. Guests can opt for air-conditioned comfort or leave the doors open to enjoy the song of the river and the fragrances of the garden. A hand-carved antique wall panel separates the dining room from the fully equipped kitchen that features a marble breakfast bar with two bar stools.

Outdoor Living
Pangi Gita`s `Garden of Eden` provides a sensory experience like no other: the twittering birds, brightly colored heliconias, darting dragonflies, fragrant frangipanis, tinkling fish ponds, river rapids, delicate temple offerings and farmers tending their crops in the neighboring rice fields, all provide guests with the sights, sounds and smells of the real Bali. And to taste the real Bali you need go no further than the villa kitchen.

One of the best places to absorb the ambiance is down by the green-stone pool, where the garden meets the river bank. Guests can choose to relax on the sun loungers shaded by bright red umbrellas or kick back in the traditional poolside bale. Those craving a bit of `me` time should seek out the single recliner on the wooden deck overlooking the river rapids.