Balli Estate 6587 is a magnificent 25 acre (10 hectare) estate was featured on the cover and inside of ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST (March, 1994).
The estate is set amongst picturesque rice terraces in a lush river valley near Ubud, the cultural and arts center of Bali, and about one hour by car from the airport.
The estate consists of a rustic three story Villa which can be used by all guests, four rental houses, and a number of other cottages.
Several lounging pavilions are scattered throughout the property.
You'll find more than 20 artesian springs and many exotic species of bamboo on walks through the estate.
Cobblestone paths and hand carved rock walls accent the terraced landscape, and graceful, grass covered slopes inviting for picnics or for watching Bali's spectacular sunsets.
A 30 meter spring fed swimming pool offers refreshment after walking through forests and rice fields.
All of the building harmonize aesthetically with the natural landscape, and each is decorated in the simple yet impressive style that has become Linda Garland's trademark.
In twenty years of interior design Linda has had four cover stories in ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST (including one on her work at David Bowie's house in Mystique), and she has recently been named by the magazine as "One of the Top 100 Interior Designers and Architects in the World".
The Villa is a grass roofed three story building the lower floor of which is a large open living area (together with the surrounding terrace and lawn you can easily host 200 guests here).
It's furnished with Linda Garland's signature design bamboo furniture, antiques and decorative items and overlooks major parts of the estate.
It's an ideal place for entertaining.
There is a music system, kitchen, and bathroom.
The second level accommodates an air-conditioned T.V. room, and the third level a smallish retreat offering a magnificent view of the whole estate.
The First Cottage is reached after a down-hill walk through the estate and has two air-conditioned double bedrooms (each with bath), a basic kitchen, smallish and dark study, and an open living area overlooking fern dotted waterfalls and the river below. Indonesian antiques as well as Linda Garland's popular signature furniture designs give the rooms a comfortable old world quality.
This romantic cottage sleeps four adults and has an extra day bed in the downstairs living area. Definitely the best choise on the whole estate.
The Second Cottage is constructed with natural stones, lots of bamboo and grass thatching. Every step on the soft bamboo floor feels adventurous, but its location overlooking the river and rock wall waterfall, and next to the swimming pool makes this quite primitive cottage the top choice for some guests.
It consists of one open double bedroom with a terrace overlooking the river below, and another open bedroom with a single bed. "Open" bedrooms means exactly what it says – there is no kind of division or even mosquito screen between the sleeping areas and the terrace, but the beds are protected by mosquito nets and cooled by ceiling fans.
The detached open bath area is shared by all occupants of this cottage. Recommended only for visitors who want to experience living VERY close to nature.
The Third Cottage is regarded as an architectural gem which draws from the tradition of bamboo architecture found in the North of Bali.
The entire cottage is made of bamboo floors, walls, and the roof.
There is a double bed with mosquito net and verandah on the open upper floor facing the river and bamboo garden, and a large downstairs bathroom area and sun deck. Again, recommended only for visitors who like living EXTREMELY close to nature.
Whilst the greatest appeal of this estate lies in its local architectural style and "Robinson Crusoe" ambiance, the basic comforts and conveniences of modern life (IDD telephone, fax – even photocopying) are also available through the estate's office.
Here you can enjoy an aroma therapy massage or a traditional Javanese "lulur" body scrub amidst fireflies, geckos and the sound of waterfalls – while you draft a fax to New York.
All your needs will be looked after by the staff with the usual warmth and graciousness that has made Balinese hospitality famous around the world.
You'll delight in the delicious menu of regional foods prepared by the resident cook.
Many of her specialties are vegetarian featuring vegetables, fruits and herbs grown organically on the estate.
Food and beverages are charged at reasonable restaurant prices.
The center of busy Ubud town with its restaurants and shops is just a fifteen minutes walk away past temples and the famous "Monkey Forest".
You can go antique hunting, experience traditional healing, shop for arts and crafts, jewelry, or clothing, go bird watching, watch traditional ceremonies, go mountain climbing, white water rafting and so on.
If you want to spend some time usefully, you can take courses in Balinese dance, gamelan music, Indonesian language and culture, painting etc.
Balinese dance and music performances can be arranged on the premises.