Thu, 18 Mar 2004

JP/18/CHEDI

Chedi Villas offers tranquil and world-class luxury

The Jakarta Post Jimbaran

The grass is thick and green, resembling a mini golf-course. The water in the beautiful lotus ponds is extremely clear, with dozens of colorful fish swimming in the ponds. On the outside, lines of Japanese bamboo trees and coconut trees shade the once barren and rocky hill of Jimbaran regency.

Welcome to Chedi Villas, home to those who seek perfect sanctuary on the island of Bali. Nonetheless, construction of the villas is still under way. When finished, the Chedi Villas will really enrich the Jimbaran enclave, now occupied by luxury hotels, villas and residences.

Robert W. Murdoch, chairman of Australia THP Group, said on the construction site recently that the company was developing 23 luxury villas. "This is our first stage. We shall continue building the other 18."

Designed by Sydney-based architect Robert Nation, the villas employ Balinese architectural styles, using local materials such as alang-alang (savanna grass) for roofs and coconut wood for columns.

Nestling in the heart of Jimbaran Bay, the planned villas are only a 15-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Kuta. With stunning, breathtaking views overlooking Jimbaran Bay, Chedi Villas offers a heavenly atmosphere.

The villas are set well back from the road, providing owners and guests complete privacy. Each villa is protected by a private compound and may be accessed through a private entrance leading to landscaped gardens and a swimming pool.

"We have tried to create a tropical scene with lush, landscaped gardens and an environmentally-friendly complex," exclaimed Murdoch while showing the construction work at Jimbaran.

To maintain the gardens and to provide the property with hygienic water, the management has built its own water processing plant as well as an international-standard sewage system.

The interior of each villa will be carefully finished by noted interior designer Jaya Ibrahim , while the landscaping is being carried out by Australia-based Tract Consultants.

Each villa will comprise separate living and dining rooms, air-conditioned bedrooms with spectacular outdoor bathroom, private swimming pool and 24-hour staff service.

"We also plan to equip each villa with a high-quality TV and Bang and Olufsen stereo to provide owners with world-class entertainment facilities," he added.

When finished, Murdoch said, the Chedi Villas will be managed by General Hotel Management (GHM), Asia's leading hotel management company, which also manages The Legian Bali, The Strand in Yangon, The Setai in Miami, and The Chedis in Muscat, Pukhet and Chiang Mai.

Entering the main villa building, which is the model for all the planned villas, is like entering a traditional Balinese compound, with contemporary touches here and there.

Most furniture for the house has been especially designed and manufactured in Yogyakarta for Warwick Purser Lifestyle and Out of Asia.

The spacious bedroom is styled with simple decoration. Solid partition walls were erected to separate bed and bath areas. The 2.4-meter teak panel incorporates a full-width mirror to the bathroom.

Decorated with terrazzo double basins, the bathroom is clean and neat. "We wanted to use the best materials in our villas, combining beauty and comfort," Robert said.

If you are interested in buying a villa, simply invest US$285,000 and possess a dream home in Bali.