#bali Archives - Elite Havens MAGAZINE

Inspiring Art-Filled Villas in Bali

Published on July 4, 2019 in Culture/Destinations/Families by Milda Ratkelyte

One of the best things about private villas in Bali is that none of them are the same. Forget uniform lobbies, drab bedding and boring white walls. Think fascinating artefacts, colourful furnishings, amazing art and unique design from around the world, all representing the heritage and lifestyle of their owners. To give you an idea of the delights on offer, we’ve scoured Bali for ‘art-full’ villas that will win over the heart of even the most sophisticated art connoisseur.

Villa Asada, Candidasa

Villa Asada is a contemporary expression of Balinese style, filled with antiques and comfortable furnishings. In every corner is a spot of simple elegance and luxury, lovingly strewn with Oriental decor. Buddha and other characters in Asian history take centre stage. Little pockets of space prove that in decorating, as in life, less is truly more.

Villa Canggu, Canggu

Indonesian contemporary artists turn Villa Canggu into a living exhibition that could easily compete with many art galleries around the world. Eddy Susanto’s visual interpretation on the heritage of the Mayan people, who scandalised the world with their 2012 Armageddon prediction, is displayed here just around the corner from Yudi Sulistyo’s interpretation of modern-day life: a hanging metal spaceship entitled “World Without Sea”. Ronald Apriyan’s series of three paintings represents how modern-day women can choose to be whatever they want to be. Grab a glass of wine and start exploring.

Kaba Kaba Estate, Tabanan

For more than 20 years, the owners of Kaba Kaba Estate have been avid art collectors, and the villa serves as a showcase for their beloved treasures, which range from fascinating antiques to contemporary works of art displayed throughout the gardens and pavilions. These include Cai Zhi Song’s Ode to Motherland #5, a striking 2013 bronze of a male figure, inspired by an ancient image of a Qin dynasty warrior, to Sohan Jakhar’s Untitled (2009), which hangs above a guest bedroom headboard, and Hannes D’Haese’s sculpture Just a Dog, a pink resin bulldog that, along with its yellow counterpart, guards the entrance to the guesthouse.

Then there’s the surprisingly recent (three decades old) 8-foot-long Indonesian carving of paddlers in a boat, displayed above a puckish Dodit Artawan oil on canvas depicting Barbie dolls and liquor bottles; Dadi Setiyadi’s White Goat, a 2011 canvas that reimagines Caravaggio’s John the Baptist as a loincloth-clad figure festooned with swirling Dayak tattoos,

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The Best Beach Clubs in Bali

Published on July 3, 2019 in Destinations/Recreation by Elite Havens

You’ve arrived on the Island of the Gods. There is so much to do on your bucket list, so many cultural, spiritual, artistic and gastronomical places to visit. Don’t forget to unwind from it all with a delicious cocktail, vibrant beats, gorgeous people and an equally stunning view. You are, after all, on the vacation of a lifetime! Dance the night or day away, Bali-style!

FINNS VIP

The absolute beachfront club offers another level of beach club chic. Choose from Meditteranean dining on a vast oceanfront lawn, dining al fresco on a terrace, having powerhouse meetings in the VIP Lounge or the fabulous Rooftop Bar. Be mesmerised by the stunning Instagram-worthy sunsets and the quirky nighttime surfing under spotlights.

If Finns VIP is up your alley, why not book an elite haven in the Canggu area?

SUNDAYS BEACH CLUB

Kick back and enjoy life at this chic day retreat that is nestled on a white sandy crescent beach on Bali’s Bukit peninsula. Pull up a beanbag or sun lounger and enjoy a day of sea kayaking, snorkelling or stand up paddle boarding while listening to cool island beats and grazing from a perfect beachside menu. Expect butter-soft yellow fin tuna sushi, burgers and pulled pork sandwiches. Sip hand crafted cocktails and watch the sun set while making fabulous holiday memories.

Sundays Beach Club is in the Bukit region, where the fabulous Uluwatu and Jimbaran are.

KUDETA

A restaurant, bar and beach lounge is coupled with eclectic soulful soundtracks and panoramic views. The club is known as Bali’s original sunset-watching venue, and rightfully so. It boasts not just magnificent views but amazing sounds that set it apart from the others.

Kudeta is located in hip Seminyak. Enjoy your stay at a luxury villa in the region.

KARMA BEACH

Enter one of the globe’s hottest beach clubs high above the glittering azure ocean. Ride an inclinator down the limestone cliff to a white crescent of sandy beach that is perfect for a party. Bamboo and thatch buildings encircle an intimate scene, with hedonistic drinks and delectable food completing the whole experience.

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Women’s International Tennis Singapore Loves Our Villas

Published on July 2, 2019 in Destinations/People/Recreation by Elite Havens

Women’s International Tennis Singapore (WITS) is a tennis league where the women play tennis for competitive challenge and social camaraderie. The league began in 2000 with just a handful of members and has grown to over 650 women. WITS has several philanthropic missions, and the women bond over these and their love for the sport. They’ve also spent time together in an Elite Havens villa and we asked some members to describe their stay.

Past WITS President Louise Martin describes herself as “a professional trailing spouse.” Martin has live in 9 countries over the past 25 years. Besides tennis, she loves the gym and reading a book, cup of coffee in hand. Louise has stayed in Arnalaya Beach House, Villa Ramadewa and Villa Sapi.

EH: Hi, Louise. When did you have stay in an Elite Havens villa?

LM: I have stayed at 4 different EH villas over the past 5 years.

EH: What did you like best about the villas?

LM: I love the the feeling of total pampering. Each property is different but similar in the standard it offers it’s visitor – superb!

EH: What did you do at the villas everyday?

LM: There is usually so much to do at the villa – you can sunbath, swim, play tennis (2 out of the 4 villas I stayed at had tennis courts), have massages, practice yoga, eat fabulous food!!! What ever your heart desires.

EH: How long have you been playing tennis?

LM: I’ve only been playing tennis for the last six years of so.

EH: What do you think of the Elite Havens tennis courts?

LM: On both occasions the courts were excellently maintained and the I even remember flood lights on the one in Lombok. I would absolutely recommend them to a friend.

EH: Any anecdotes about your stay you can tell us?

LM: I don’t have a personal one but a friend of mine told me about something that happened to her when she stayed ….

She is a busy mother of 3 young kids. She and her family were all packed up and in your Elite Havens transport on their way to the airport when she suddenly realised that she had left her brand-new remodelled diamond ring by the sink in their suite!!

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Have Your Dream Wedding in Bali

Published on June 28, 2019 in Culture/Destinations/Weddings by Elite Havens

When it comes to destination weddings, it doesn’t get much dreamier than Bali. Where else delivers a marriage of stunning setting, exotic décor, highly experienced event planners and spectacular destination-in-themselves villas? And all this without shattering the piggy bank?

As you relax into your vacation and settle into the laid-back island vibe, you’re subject to some special Bali magic. If you or a family member are celebrating an engagement, or are in the early stages of planning a wedding, it’s only natural to daydream of saying “I do” here on the Island of the Gods.

Just imagine –exchange vows on a cliff-top looking over the shimmering sea, with the sound of the surf crashing below. Declare your love on the beach, sand between your toes, as waves lap the shore and the setting sun flames the sky. Or seek the seclusion of a rural oasis and celebrate your union on the rim of a mountain ravine, surrounded by rice terraces.

Imagine the details – delicately woven palm-frond decorations and penjor flags framing the ceremonial space; three-tiered temple parasols and tropical blooms; flaming bamboo torches and candles amidst a garden of colossal foliage; the hypnotic sound of Gamelan music; a lattice of party lights strung like pearls illuminating the darkening sky. And within that enchanting setting, imagine a paparazzi whirl of cameras recording those first moments together as husband and wife.

Visualising the romance of the occasion comes easy in this culturally rich landscape. After all, since Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall tied their knot in Bali nearly three decades ago, many celebrities have followed suit. But what about the practicalities of a destination wedding, perhaps the other side of the world from your home?

The good news is that you get more bang for your buck in Bali; so you can save if you want or splurge. Happily, this applies whether you wish to stage a low-key wedding for close friends, or the most elaborate bells-and-whistles event for hundreds. If that’s not reason enough, think about the venue – perhaps a bride’s most important decision, after the dress of course. Here Bali comes up trumps, with a stellar cast of destination villa venues in jaw-dropping settings and an insane choice of accommodation for wedding guests.

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Elite Talk with Head of Events Rara Suprastini

Published on June 28, 2019 in Destinations/People/Weddings by Elite Havens

Rara Suprastini has been in the events and weddings business for over a decade. As Elite Havens’ Head of Events Indonesia, she oversees villa arrangements and other details for important occasions. Dealing with clients directly, she knows in-depth what they want and need. We sat down with her to find out what its like organising and managing multiple assignments. (She makes it looks easy!)

Elite Havens: Hi, Rara. Can you tell us a little bit about your role?

Rara Suprastini: My team and I take care of booking events. More often than not, these are weddings, but we also do quite a lot of retreats and a few birthdays. We are here to help wedding couples or any guest looking for a special celebration in Bali.

EH: Say, for example, a couple is looking for a villa for their upcoming wedding. Should they come to you, because it’s a special event?

RS: Yes. That’s right.

EH: And then you will help them choose the villa? Set up the event?

RS: Absolutely. I was a wedding organizer here in Bali, before I started working with Elite Havens. So I know what brides are looking for. First things first – a fabulous venue. A bride usually knows exactly what she wants, ‘I want a beautiful villa on the cliffside. I want the sunset as the backdrop.’ They already have a dream, a perfect wedding that perhaps they’ve been thinking about since they were kids. The ideal venue is the first thing on their checklist. And of course, the venue affects the budget as well. We try to lead them to the villa most suited to what they have always imagined.

EH: Do they visit the villa?

RS: Usually, yes. After seeing the villa in person, they are usually a hundred percent sure that it’s the villa they’re looking for. We are quite different from other villa companies – we take our time with this. Our approach is more hands-on and personal, because we assist them in their search for the ideal luxury villa.

EH: What’s the next step?

RS: One thing we always propose to our clients, is to connect with a reliable wedding coordinator.

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