Batu Jimbar
| Sanur Villas | 6 to 9 Bedrooms
Villa Batujimbar is one of Bali’s most extraordinary residences, its beachfront location in Sanur with a rich and colourful history, a grand ‘Bali style’ design pedigree, and a celebrity houseguest list that includes ruling monarchs and rock legends, It was here that Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall were married, Sting gave an impromptu concert and Princess Diana retired from the media spotlight.
When the current owner – who took over from hotelier Aman Adrian Zecha in the mid-1990s – first visited Batujimbar in the early 1970s. It was here that the renowned Australian artist Donald Friend had already invited architect Geoffrey Bawa to apply his “tropical modernist” style to the Batujimbar estate. Bawa created a harmonious relationship between the buildings and the landscape. This relationship is influenced by the famous Balinese palaces of Amlapura and Klungkung. And also the water gardens of Tirta Gangga. His Lembu Bale, surrounded by a moat and featuring a majestic salon, still takes center stage and today offers an enchanting setting for wedding ceremonies.The nine rooms of Villa Batujimbar occupy a series of thatched pavilions enriched with paintings. This villa is a museum of artifacts, heirlooms, and architectural treasures. In the carefully maintained gardens, lotus pools full of fountains, moss-encrusted statues and finely carved stone reliefs contribute to the villa’s unique character. Although its design is deeply rooted in the past. The villa’s amenities will be welcomed by the most discerning vacationer. The villa features a 20-meter pool, a private tennis court, a private chef and 24-hour personal. You will feel like royalty in your home.
Start your day with a coffee in front of the ocean. But also facing the island of Nusa Lembongan and the calm waters of Sanur Bay. After breakfast served on Jenggala dishes in the open-air dining pavilion, walk through the ornate gate to the golden sandy beach for a swim or a sprint along the boardwalk. At the end of the day, you can enjoy dishes prepared by your private chef. Within five minutes, you can walk to the countless restaurants that line Sanur’s main shopping and entertainment street.
Bedrooms
Villa Batujimbar offers nine spacious air-conditioned bedrooms, each oriented for privacy in five separate pavilions. Seven have ensuite bathrooms while the two Family Pavilion bedrooms – one designed for kids – share a shower room. All have contemporary luxuries such as 40-inch or 32-inch satellite channel TVs, safes, and bar fridges, matched with historic paintings, collectibles, furniture, and oriental rugs that hark back to the villa’s distinguished heritage. Beachfront master suite The grand, two-storey master suite is situated close to the ocean, just behind the beachfront living balé. On the ground floor of this palatial pavilion is a peaceful study and sitting area furnished with a large antique writing desk and an elegant chaise longue. Walls are lined with teak shelving and display units and, in one corner is a circular glass-topped table for four and a bar area.Upstairs an ornately carved, king-size, four-poster bed luxuriates below a lofty alang-alang thatched roof. Warm teakwood flooring and richly colored antique rugs adorn the floor and a comfortable sofa at the foot of the bed faces a large flat-screen TV. A delightful private furnished balcony overlooks the ocean to the front of the room. a wc leads from the upper-floor bedroom and a full bathroom lies just down the stairs, adjoining the study and sitting room.
The Longhouse
The two large master bedrooms in the Longhouse open onto lawns on one side and a water garden terrace on the other. In each, a super-king four-poster rests under a soaring pavilion roof on a polished terrazzo floor that flows into the dressing area. Flanking the mirrored vanity alcove sliding doors lead to the stately WC enclosure and a large shower area that opens onto the water garden.
The Bali Pavilion
Within this most romantic of pavilions, with its brightly painted antique Balinese doors and teakwood parquet floor, are two inter-connecting bedrooms with king-size beds swathed in mosquito nets, and inter-connecting garden bathrooms with alfresco showers. Beyond sliding double doors lies a walled garden with private relaxation bale, huge shade-giving Jewent tree, and a separate entrance to the main villa gardens. The second room also has a small private courtyard with seating.
The Pool Pavilion
On the upper level of the Pool Pavilion are two king-bedded guest suites, with bengkirai-wood floors, ceilings of bedeg (woven rattan), and delightful treetop views beyond full-width windows. The suites are split-level, and each has its own entrance from the garden, ensuring complete privacy. At ground level are dressing areas, bathrooms with Palimanan-lined showers and statement bathtubs, and spiral staircases. Conveniently, wcs and washbasins adjoin the bedrooms upstairs.
The Family Pavilion
On the second level of a building tucked away behind the villa entrance are two more bedrooms – one with a king bed and the other with small twin beds – that share a bathroom with a separate WC and shower. They are ideal for a family, or as a separate enclave for up to four kids who will appreciate a little independence.
Living Areas
One of the pleasures of a sojourn at Villa Batujimbar is the sheer amount of living space. While there’s plenty of room for a full house to socialise under the same roof, there are also lots of quiet corners for breaking away from the crowd. The main living pavilion is open to the garden alongside the beach; its soaring alang-alang roof supported by towering coconut columns. Three sides of the pavilion are lined with comfortably upholstered built-in benches and at its centre four traditional Indonesian sofas with curved teakwood frames are set around an elaborately carved coffee table.
A breezy, fan-cooled lounge graces the upper level of the historic Lembu Bale, reached by a pair of stately staircases. With its roof supported by elaborate columns rooted in sandstone plinths carved in the shape of animals and mythical figures, this space is defined by two monumental bovine statues (lembu means cow in the Indonesian language). Cane and teak colonial-style seating provides the perfect spot to enjoy the sea view. The Poolside Pavilion’s living area provides yet another space for relaxation, with clusters of handsome seating, an alcove carpeted with thick comfy cushions, and a breakfast table facing the pool. There’s a small kitchenette and a guest shower room tucked out of sight. Guests have a choice of dining areas. Towards the beach is an enchanting raised dining bale with antique marble table and ten rattan chairs set under a thatched roof. For formal meals, there’s an air-conditioned dining room in the Longhouse, where a 12-seater stunning teakwood table faces sliding glass doors that open onto fish ponds. Next to the dining room is a huge professionally equipped kitchen and, behind, a staff service kitchen and laundry. In Villa Batujimbar’s fabulous formal gardens ancient moss-encrusted statues stand sentinel by the 20-metre pool whose stone terrace is lined with sun-loungers and parasols.
Seemingly floating above a lotus pond is a large relaxation bale – the perfect spot for afternoon tea while admiring scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabarata carved into the wall behind. From the beachfront bale glorious views across the sea to the sacred Mount Agung and the island of Nusa Penida can be enjoyed; Sanur’s acclaimed sandy beach and sheltered waters lie just beyond the traditional gate in the boundary wall. Elsewhere on the estate are the tennis court and gym, refreshment area and sports shower.
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