Villa Iskandar

Villa Iskandar is a serene riverside sanctuary, built into the banks of the Yeh Penet River in Bali’sTabanan Regency.

Designed over three levels, this elegant villa comprises four air-conditioned bedrooms, a large free-form swimming pool and ironwood deck, an open-sided living room and a more formal dining room. A poolside dining area and a choice of balconies and decks provide endless options for relaxation. The property’s stunning contemporary architecture is harmonised with dark timbers and a Chinese-themed decor, completed with antique furnishings and artwork throughout.

Against a gorgeous backdrop of towering trees and thickets of giant bamboo, guests will be serenaded by the song of the river and the sounds of nature. Here, iridescent blue kingfishers, monitor lizards and other creatures are commonplace. This peaceful out-of-town location feels like it is miles from anywhere but is actually only 13 kilometres from the restaurants, nightlife and shops of Petitenget and Seminyak.

Iskandar shares a dedicated 400-square-metre event space with its neighbour Villa Atacaya. When the two villas – known collectively as the Nyanyi Riverside Villas – are rented together they offer a 9-bedroom option for large groups of friends, extended families and wedding parties.

Complemented by sophisticated facilities, caring staff and superb service, Iskandar offers a truly beautiful setting for weddings and events, and is great for families and groups of friends who are looking for a luxurious close-to-nature escape.

VILLA LAYOUT

Spread across three levels, Villa Islandar comprises four bedrooms – one on the upper floor, two at garden level, and one by the riverside, complete with a spacious sundeck. Also on the top level is a living room open on two sides and with a front-facing balcony. As well as two guest bedrooms, a formal dining room and a kitchen make up the indoor space at ground level, while outside, the free-form swimming pool with its curved infinity edge overlooks the river below and is bordered by an ironwood sun deck and alfresco dining area.

LIVING AND DINING AREAS

Iskandar’s open-sided living room is on the villa’s uppermost floor, which makes it perfect for receptions, heralded by a fretwork Chinese-style screen and a Balinese gong. From the balcony at the front guests can survey the scene of the swimming pool and the sparkling river beyond. Adjacent to the living room is a pergola dripping with white-flowering thunbergia and surrounded on three sides by a fishpond with a bubbling urn as its centerpiece. There, a small dining table and four chairs rests upon a wooden deck, which appears to float on a moat. A comfy sofa scattered with Chinese silk cushions, makes this a delightful space for watching movies on the 48-inch satellite channel TV and DVD player. A guest washroom is positioned to one side.

Villa Iskandar’s large dining room, furnished with a table for ten and decorated with elegant Chinese artwork and artefacts, offers the choice of a formal, air-conditioned dining experience (perfect for entertaining) or a more casual, open-air ambiance when the glass doors are folded open to the pool deck and the jungle view.

The ironwood pool deck is built around the curved contours of the 15-metre, infinity-edge swimming pool that looks out over the river valley. This magnificent outdoor area is furnished with sun loungers and an alfresco dining table for eight, and shaded by frangipani trees and tall fan palms, while a firebowl at the edge of the pool creates a romantic ambiance at night.

A spiral staircase winds down to a riverside deck, open to the sky and situated next to the studio bedroom. This magical spot is the perfect place to practice yoga or meditate to the murmur of the river. 

BEDROOMS

- Master
Presiding over the beautiful surroundings from the top floor, Villa Iskandar’s master bedroom is furnished with a queen-size bed and decorated with Chinese artwork and antiques under a high-pitched ceiling. This splendid room has a glamorous ensuite bathroom and its own private balcony-deck furnished with an intimate dining table as well as a river-rock bathtub under the stars.

- Guest bedroom one
Sitting adjacent to the dining room, this graceful bedroom opens directly out to the pool deck with views across to the jungle and riverbank beyond. Furnished with Chinese art and antiques as well as a queen-size bed atop hardwood floors, it is a most elegant place to lay one’s head, while the ensuite bathroom is distinguished by a walk-in shower from which guests can step onto a balcony with built-in seating.

- Guest bedroom two
Resting at the very front of the property, this river-view room oozes sophistication and taste with dark hardwood floors, Chinese antique furnishings, a steeply pitched ceiling and a glamorous bathroom fitted with an oversized black bathtub for two. More sliding glass doors to the front and side of the queen-sized bed lead to the pool and to a viewing deck above the river, complete with a dining table for two.

- Riverside studio room
Villa Iskandar’s riverside studio bedroom is accessed via a spiral staircase from the pool deck. The views from this room’s queen-sized bed are of pure, raw nature. The ensuite bathroom is fitted with a walk-in shower, while a precious feature is the deck right above the river with a double daybed looking across to the tall trees and jungle on the opposite bank.

STAFF

One of the greatest advantages of staying in a villa is the personalised service provided by dedicated staff. Villa Iskandar’s staff have been professionally trained and will do their utmost to please with their warm and friendly Balinese hospitality.

- Villa manager
Villa Iskandar’s friendly manager is responsible for the overall operation of the villa. His job is to oversee and coordinate the staff and property and to assist guests during their stay. Sharing his time between Iskandar and two other villas not far away, he makes sure all guests’ needs are taken care of each morning, and is on call should any problems arise.

- Chef
The villa’s skilled private chef will happily prepare anything from the Western, Asian, vegetarian and children’s suggestion menus, as well as discuss special requests and dietary requirements.

- Butlers
The butlers are highly trained professionals who are dedicated to making sure their guests experience great five-star service and are left wanting for nothing. They also look after the daily housekeeping and domestic duties.

- Garden and pool
Two gardeners maintain Villa Iskandar’s lush gardens, ponds and swimming pool.

- Security
Three guards provide night-time security.

DINING

The personal chef at Villa Iskandar is at your service to prepare daily breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The villa offers an extensive suggestion menu of delicious home-style meals featuring Asian and international dishes to cater to all tastes, with an excellent selection of vegetarian and children’s options. The chef is also more than happy to tailor meals to accommodate any special dietary requirements. A stay is not complete without sampling some local dishes such as pepes ikan (fish steamed in banana leaf), satay ayam (chicken satay on bamboo skewers) or pisang goreng (fried banana) served with ice cream.

Groceries and beverages are charged at cost price with a 20% ++ (tax and service charge is applicable to grocery mark up. Guests will be requested to provide grocery money in advance, and the staff will do the shopping and keep the receipts for reference. To make the most of the kitchen and give staff time to shop, it is a good idea to plan meals the evening before or with a minimum of five hours in advance.

CHILDREN AT VILLA ISKANDAR

The family friendly advantages of a villa holiday are many, including access to your own private facilities and the freedom to use them whenever you want. Knowing that the kids can run around happily, independently and safely, without you having to worry about other guests, is a real plus – and one that means parents are certain to have a more relaxed holiday too.

Villa Iskandar is a great villa for families with older children: those with toddlers will need to be vigilant, however, due to the villa’s riverside location, steep staircases and numerous fish ponds and water features.

The team of friendly staff at Villa Iskandar will make children feel as welcome as adults, and having these willing helpers on hand gives guests plenty of flexibility and freedom to do their own exploring beyond the villa grounds (full-time babysitting incurs a small extra cost).

Although the equipped kitchen allows you to prepare meals for fussy eaters or babies with ease, staff will happily to do this for you – just talk through your requirements and meal schedules with the villa manager or chef and they will take care of the rest. Pancakes by the pool for breakfast? Toasties for tea? No problem. The chef can customise all meals to suit children’s taste buds.