Ylang Ylang

The Ylang Ylang's grand entrance features Balinese statues lining a stone-clad wall as cascading water jugs fill a lily pond. An inner courtyard dominated by calming pools of water leads to the property's main structure, an impressive two-storey living and dining pavilion. Similar to the rest of the property, architectural design here incorporates contemporary Asian elegantly fused with traditional Balinese touches and high-quality materials.

Predominantly open-plan and open-sided, the main pavilion contains living and dining areas plus a well-equipped kitchen. An upper gallery reveals a rooftop meditation and yoga deck, spa treatment deck and further dining and lounging areas. The villa's impressive movie studio theatre is also housed in this pavilion.

Landscaped gardens and an attractive 16-metre swimming pool and stone deck spread out towards the ocean from this central building, flanked by a pair of symmetrical, single-storey wings containing six en suite bedrooms. Revealed within the immaculate lawns are two bales (gazebos) for dining and relaxation. Sunlit and breezy during the daytime, the villa glows with sophistication after dark.

The heart of the villa, the main pavilion stands two storeys tall, an impressive building with an 11-metre-high atrium, symmetrically balanced with cream-hued colonnades supporting a soaring, vaulted ceiling. The pavilion looks out across the gardens and pool to the beach.

Mainly open-sided (protected by a combination of floor-to-ceiling wood doors, flowing silk curtains and lengthy bamboo blinds), the pavilion is cooled by refreshing sea breeze and ceiling fans. The living area is furnished with large floor cushions, a deep daybed draped in organza silk and flanking comfortable sofas, all featuring rich designer fabrics adhering to the signature golden and black theme.

At the far end under a low-ceiling, the formal dining area is dominated by a lacquered wood table accommodating 12 to 14 diners on cushioned chairs. As a backdrop to the dining table is a striking glass sculpture and wall panel of gold-painted mirrored tiles. Separate, and behind closed doors, lies the fully equipped kitchen.

At the opposite end of the living dining area, black sliding doors reveal an air-conditioned movie studio theatre with satellite TV channels and DVD's that can be projected onto an extensive wall screen. Facing the screen, a black sofa bed is massive enough for the entire family to laze upon, enjoying the hundreds of DVD's available with top-of-the-range surround-sound music system. This cozy room also doubles as a study, with a well-stocked library, computer with broadband internet and printer provided for guest use.

Two black lacquered staircases at opposite ends of the living pavilion lead up to a black timbered gallery. Mezzanine-style, this open-sided space looks inwards over the living-dining area. Sunlit and airy, it contains two intimate dining tables and centrally-positioned balcony encased by folding glass doors. This intimate lounging area with gigantic daybed reveals fabulous ocean views and comes flanked on opposite ends by a rooftop deck scattered with floor cushions - perfect for yoga or nighttime stargazing - and a rooftop massage deck with two massage beds.

From the main pavilion, the 16-metre pool stretches out towards the landscaped seaside gardens, bounded by swaying coconut palms. Adorned with ornamental water fountains, the saltwater pool is surrounded by a stone deck, supplying multi-functional sunbeds fashioned from weatherproof rattan and cushioned with black mattresses and silk cushions.

From here, manicured lawns roll down to a tidal river that shows up sometimes, glistening black sands and crashing surf. At the garden's end is a timbered sun deck, complete with sun loungers that enjoy fabulous unobstructed views of the beach.

Lawns are dotted with Indonesian modern art sculptures mounted on stone, and sweet-scented frangipani trees. On each side, overlooking the beach, is a black, contemporary-take on the traditional bale pavilion: one, designed for romantic dining and sun-filled lunches and the other, for relaxation and massages. These contrast with two minuscule Hindu shrines nearby.