Lataliana means ‘Place of Tall Trees’ and on arrival at the villa it’s easy to understand why. From the towering 30-year-old baobab ‘upside down tree’ in the garden of one of the bedrooms to the spectacular flame trees that drop their scarlet petals into one of the open-air bathrooms, Lataliana is bounded by some of the most beautiful trees in the district. Even the twisted door handles are fashioned from namesake liana vines.
The villa comprises four clusters of single-storey buildings linked by covered walkways, terraces, ornamental ponds and secret gardens, offering private spaces that guests can escape to, or social areas for dining, relaxing and recreation. Characterised by white pillars, ironwood shingle roofs, sliding glass doors with teakwood frames, and a swimming pool that meanders through the centre of the flat velvety lawn, Lataliana oozes sophistication and contemporary charm harmonised with artistic flair, a touch of local history and more than a nod to Balinese Hindu culture. The villa’s sophistication spills across into the superb gourmet cuisine prepared and cooked by three excellent chefs, and the 24-hour, ‘Four Seasons’- trained butler service.
The entrance to Lataliana I brings guests through a covered walkway into an open-sided dining pavilion which forms the hub of the villa and is positioned to one side of the feature swimming pool. At the top end of the pool is the joglo balé pavilion, behind which two separate entrances lead to the two very private self-contained guest suites. At the far end of the pool is a wide building housing one of the master bedrooms, the living room and the TV room. Beyond here, linked by a walkway and separated by ornamental ponds are two more bedrooms – one of which is the second master – and a kitchenette. The main service kitchen is situated out of sight at the back of the dining pavilion, while another unique thatched gazebo beckons from the opposite side of the pool.
All five of Lataliana’s bedrooms are equipped with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, satellite channel TVs and Blu-ray disc players. Each has its own unique character or colour scheme – ranging from gold to pink to turquoise – and each is elegantly furnished with beds, cabinets, and chests fashioned from the recycled wood of a traditional sailing boat. Four bedrooms feature king-size beds (two of which can be converted to twins) while the smallest bedroom is furnished with a queen-size bed. All five ensuite bathrooms are remarkably spacious; finished with non-slip acid marble floors, and fitted with twin washbasins, soaking tubs, and monsoon showers that are open to the sky in private walled courtyards or gardens. Even the old ship’s rum barrels have been used to create the vanity units in one of the bathrooms.
The large living room has glass doors at both the front and the back that can be opened for cross ventilation or closed for air-conditioned comfort (ceiling fans are also an option). This elegant room is furnished with a baby grand piano, an Oriental rug, and segmented sofas and modern daybeds big enough to accommodate ten people. Soaring above the terrazzo floor is a pitched roof with a skylight at its pinnacle which channels sunlight or moonlight into the room and highlights a spectacular chandelier reminiscent of a bunch of gold ribbons. The gold theme is carried through to a fountain ornamenting the pond that lies just beyond this room. The living room is perfect for entertaining as it opens to a broad covered terrace running the length of the building, just a step or two above the pool deck.TV Room Connected to the living room is an air-conditioned home theatre room with Bose surround sound and a 51-inch flat-screen satellite-channel TV and Blu- ray disc player, complemented by a library of 1000 DVDs. The room is furnished with three comfortable sofas, two of which are customised chaise longues, each big enough for two, plus a large daybed-type-sofa big enough for at least four, all are crafted from the recycled wood of an old phinisi boat. Fitted shelves on one wall are filled with books while glass doors open to the covered terrace at the front.
Open on three sides to the pool deck, the dining pavilion features a terrazzo floor and stone pillars supporting a vaulted wood-lined roof. Cooled by natural breezes and four ceiling fans, it is furnished with a solid wood table seating 16 and a sideboard.
he 25-metre free-form swimming pool features comfortable lounging shelves at two ends and a bubbling water feature crafted from an old millstone. Three ancient frangipani trees have been transplanted around the pool deck, together with a unique relaxation gazebo
