Perched high on forested Flagstaff Hill overlooking the town of Port Douglas and the Coral Sea, this villa is a place of peace.
Sweeping views of rainforest, beach and mountains, the sound of falling water and breaking waves, birdsong and tropical breezes are this villa's essence. It is a place for families and friends to be together, or for couples to retreat from the world. Guests can enjoy the myriad activities that Port Douglas has to offer or simply relax by the villa’s pool.
Inspired by the architecture in Bali, this villa is imbued with a monumental, Asian feel. Spilling in a series of levels down a steep hillside, the villa makes use of space with multiple timber decks and terraces that offer private, tranquil retreats for outdoor relaxation, as well as being an ideal platform for entertaining. The facilities and services available give the feel of an exclusive mini resort where almost anything can be arranged, and complete seclusion is possible.
The villa has seven bedrooms, 3 king sized and 4 queens, that accommodate up to 14 people. The rooms are individually designed to reflect the classic Asian feel, using beautiful Designers Guild fabrics and Grange wrought iron and cane furniture imported from France. Timber louvers on all the bedroom windows protect against the tropical sun, and each room has a ceiling fan as well as its own air conditioning unit. There is a hotel-style phone system with separate lines in every room and additional plugs for internet access. All bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms with bath or shower. L’Occitane products are supplied in the bathrooms, and luxurious Plane Tree Farm Belgian waffle robes and slippers are provided in the bedrooms.
The lounge and the dining area are the heart of the house. Dusky red amoora wood paneling and dark polished timber floors add to the pleasantly cool and shaded atmosphere. Handmade Customweave rugs add luxury. High ceilings give sense of space, and folding glass doors lead onto a huge deck with expansive views over ocean, beach and rainforest. Timber louvers high in the eaves and on all windows open to allow in tropical breezes. Comfortable imported Italian leather sofas in chocolate brown are perfect for languid lounging, and wide screen TV, a DVD player, Austar satellite channels and Pioneer stereo provide indoor entertainment.
In the kitchen, a state-of-the art gas/electric cooker, dishwasher and full dinner service for 14 make cooking for friends easy. A gas barbeque is also provided on the main deck. On the entrance level, there are additional kitchen facilities and a dining area, which can be closed off with sliding doors from the large lobby space. Full laundry facilities are also available.
Built with terracing on several levels, the large outdoor area is made for lounging. Cool off in the skyline edge pool, heated in winter, and gaze out over the Coral Sea, or relax on the day bed, listening to the sound of the water garden as it spills over terrace levels. Imported German cane weave outdoor furniture and luxurious soft furnishings complete the classic cut comfortable effect.
The tranquil, private gardens, designed by Paul Bangay, are a tropical green haven of gardenia hedges, scented ginger, water lillies and cascading white bougainvillea. In the central poolside pavilion a second gas barbeque and dining area are provided and there is an additional kitchen area and bar fridge by the pool. Gas flares on the main deck and poolside add to the exotic atmosphere at night. For those who wish to avoid the steps from street level, an ‘inclinator’, accessed from the garage, allows stair-free access to the pool and entrance level.
Guests can have as much or as little service as they request. Relax and do nothing and have it all done for you, or enjoy the total privacy of having the house to yourself. Fridge and pantry can be fully stocked by arrangement – with Simon Johnson gourmet products in the dry pantry - and a chef service is available as often as you like. Provisions for continental breakfasts are included as a minimum. A daily maid service
This could well be Australia's most exclusive holiday house, fitted out like a boutique hotel and with a wing of rooms and a loft that lock off if the minimum rental of three bedrooms has been booked.
The lounge room is stocked with books, magazines and DVDs; the kitchen has every known appliance to ensure cooking is a (tropical) breeze.
The house is, in fact, more like a boutique hotel (minus staff and guests you don't know), with two wings of bedrooms and a loft (a minimum of three bedrooms has to be booked; others are then locked off). There are creamy waffle-weave gowns, L'Occitane toiletries, incense and essential oils and sufficient Balinese and Javanese artefacts and pieces of furniture to sustain the Ubud illusion.
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