Majapahit Beach Villas is an exclusive enclave of three luxurious private villas on Bali's south-east coast. Designed by Italian architect, Guiseppe Verdacci, the villas reflect the grand proportions and splendid artistry of a golden age - the ancient Javanese Majapahit Empire.

Four-bedroomed Villa Maya occupies an absolute beachfront position, while the three-bedroomed Villas Raj and Nataraja are set slightly back, but have their own beach access and stunning views of the Badung Strait and Nusa Lembongan Island from their upper floors. Inland, the villas overlook verdant rice fields, tobacco plantations, papaya and banana groves.

Built in 2005, the fully-staffed villas blend stylish modern architecture with the art forms and cultures of the Indonesian archipelago to create a sense of place. Spacious rooms with high ceilings and designer bathrooms, ample communal living areas, jacuzzis, swimming pools, relaxation bales and walled gardens spoil guests with privacy and comfort.

The Majapahit complex is ideal for large gatherings and weddings and is much more than a luxurious beach front estate. It is famous for its elegant and sophisticated service and food and the only one that has a private Hindu temple for ceremonies and a private boat for the guests.

Villa Raj:
Surrounded by rice fields, tobacco plantations, papaya, banana and coconut groves, and only a stone's throw from the sea, Villa Raj offers guests a combination of relaxed indoor and outdoor gourmet living. Although set back from the beach, the upper floor of the villa is blessed with spectacular views of the ocean, while a 13-metre area of beachfront has been specially allocated for the use of guests at Raj and her sister villa, Nataraja.

Villa Raj comprises a two-story main building, housing three bedrooms and a central living area, overlooking a lush walled garden with a swimming pool, massage pavilion and relaxation bale. The landscaping and contemporary architecture of the shingle-roofed villa are based on traditional Balinese principles, utilizing local materials and incorporating the essential elements of Balinese Hindu philosophy and symbolism.

Inside, sophisticated decor and a generous smattering of tribal objets d'art fill the villa with the wonderment of the Indies while a mix of modern and antique furnishings and top quality linens upon king-sized beds, mean comfort is assured.

Practicalities are taken care of in the staff service area. Superb gourmet cuisine is prepared by Majapahit Beach Villas' excellent chef while personal butlers offer first-class service and a level of sophistication that even top hotels strive to provide.

Villa Raj can also be rented as a 2 or 1 bedroom option affording a small group or family the exclusive use of the villa at an appropriately adjusted rate.

Bedrooms:
Master suite:
The air-conditioned master suite in Villa Raj covers the whole of the upper floor under a soaring pitched roof. The bedroom is furnished with a king-size bed, desk and chair, and equipped with a satellite-channel TV, DVD/CD player. Paras stone bricks form a wall behind the bed while, at the front, glass doors open out onto a timber balcony furnished with a sofa and loungers and offering cool breezes and delightful views of the coastline and ocean. The ensuite bathroom (fitted with corner bathtub, shower and twin washbasins) comprises two separate dressing and washing areas accessed by two different doors from the bedroom and linked by a covered, semi-open-air walkway on the far side. The walkway is enclosed with fretwork screens (and blinds for privacy) which allow the cool breezes to permeate.

Guest bedrooms:
Villa Raj's two air-conditioned guest bedrooms are located downstairs and are mirror images of each other. Accessed via magnificent carved doors, each has a wooden floor and is furnished with a king-size bed, desk and chair and equipped with a satellite-channel TV, DVD and CD player. A dressing area is situated behind the bed while glass doors at the front of each room open onto a terrace furnished with two loungers. Each semi-open-air bathroom is flanked by a staggered wall under a pergola roof and features a triple-tiered running water feature and hidden lighting which illuminates the space stunningly at night. The bathrooms are crafted in dark grey terrazzo and fitted with twin washbasins, sunken bathtubs and rain showers.

Indoor living:
The fan-cooled living and dining room at Villa Raj borders the swimming pool and features a timber floor and folding glass doors at the front and back which can be fully opened for a tropical living experience. A double sunken jacuzzi extends into the living space and overflows into the pool creating an attractive water feature. The sitting area is furnished with two sofas, occasional tables, a funky rocking chair and an antique coffee table facing the pool and garden. A plasma-screen satellite-channel TV and hi-fi system with wall speakers provide entertainment, and WiFi internet access is available free of charge.

Resting beside a fish pond, the dining area is furnished with a solid table and six cushioned cane planter chairs. Colorful local artwork adorns the walls, harmonized with antique Indonesian woodcarvings. A striking feature is the semi-spiral floating staircase.

On the far side of the fish pond, within a pebbled courtyard, is a stand-alone kitchen fully equipped with an oven and four burner hob, a microwave, fridge and all the appliances and utensils that the chef needs to prepare meals for his guests. A set of five stone pillars create a partition between the kitchen and the dining area. A guest washroom is positioned to one side.

Outdoor living:
Villa Raj's walled garden is dominated by a 13-metre swimming pool lined with green Java stone. An open-sided massage pavilion with a high thatched roof presides at one end of the pool, while a bale relaxation pavilion is located in a corner of the garden, complete with built-in cushioned seating and billowing white drapes. The garden also boasts an outdoor shower, four sun loungers and umbrellas, and an abundance of palms, pandanas, fragrant frangipanis and flowering shrubs.

A walled pathway leads from the garden to a 13-metre, beachside buff with timber decking and stone steps down to the beach. This area is shared with guests staying at neighboring Villa Nataraja, and is a place to chill out on a large wooden sofa beneath the tall coconut palms and gaze at the glorious view of the East Bali coastline and Nusa Penida Island.

Location:
Majapahit Beach Villas are located at Pabean Beach down a narrow lane off the Klungkung Bypass, which runs along the east coast and is also known as the Sunrise Road. Bounded by the River Wos, rice fields, tobacco plantations, papaya, banana and coconut groves, the area is blessed with spectacular views extending across the ocean towards the beaches of Sanur and Nusa Dua, the islands of Lembongan, Ceningan and Penida, and the mountains of East Bali.

Pabean was once a small port through which oriental traders brought their products; at low tide you can still see the structure of the old harbour. This glistening black sand stretch of coastline is popular with surfers and beachcombers but swirling currents and a lack of lifeguards make it unsuitable for swimming for all but the most confident of swimmers.

The nearby village of Ketewel is the origin of the celebrated Legong Bededari Dance, and the neighboring village of Saba produced the finest Legong dancers on the island. There are no Western-style restaurants in this area, but there are plenty of local warungs (eateries), while international restaurants, shops galore can be found just 13km away in Sanur. Also the location is in between Seminyak and the cultural capital of Bali, Ubud and just 5-10 minutes from all the famous traditional villages of Mas, Sukawati, Batubulan and Batuan for all handicraft shopping.