“I wanna go someplace where l can marvel at something.”
This declaration launches Liz Gilbert on a journey of self-discovery through Italy, India and Indonesia in her beloved memoir, Eat Pray Love. Many of us can relate to her yearning: we wish to travel to places that leave us in awe.
Being surrounded by ancient temples, ornate architecture and inspiring art has a way of transporting us beyond the mundane. Add to this the sights and sounds of a foreign locale – be it the aroma of exotic spices drifting in the air or the distant chimes of a temple ceremony – and you simply cannot help but, yes, marvel.
Monuments and museums are by no means the only way to experience the magic. The best way to truly immerse yourself in the local culture and its unique beauty is to stay in a villa that honours and celebrates local traditions. That’s why we’ve always been partial to villas filled with local art and antiques.
The Magic of Artful Antique Villas
When you stay in a villa filled with antiques, sculptures, paintings, objets d’art and artisanal furniture, oftentimes the owner will be a collector. This means that each piece is a carefully chosen memento – a one-of-a-kind treasure that tells a deeper story.
Surrounding yourself with these precious artefacts will make your experience so much richer. You will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the local culture, its history and traditions. Staying in a villa filled with, say, carefully curated Sri Lankan antiques and art gives you an undeniable sense of really being in Sri Lanka – the antithesis of a generic could-be-anywhere vacation rental.
From Sri Lanka to Seminyak and beyond, these art and antique filled villas will help you connect with your surroundings like never before.
Villa Oost Indies – Seminyak, Bali
Villa Oost Indies is surrounded by some of the trendiest restaurants and chicest beach clubs in Seminyak, but inside its tropical walls, this beautiful villa is dedicated to honouring Indonesian heritage. Formerly a part of a nobleman’s home, the main pavilion is a 100-year-old joglo imported from the island of Java. The rooms are adorned with antique furniture, opulent textiles and hand-moulded ceramics. Stone statues depicting Hindu gods give nods to the island’s rich spiritual heritage. In a villa this ornate, it is hardly surprising that the owners operate several art galleries in Bali. We loved our stay at this timeless classic.
Leela Walauwwa – Induruwa, Sri Lanka
Leela Walauwwa started off as a colonial manor in the 19th century. Since then, the property has been transformed into a spectacular holiday villa for the modern age. A key part of the restoration project has been to preserve and celebrate the villa’s historic charm. The vast living areas are decorated with timeless Ceylonese furniture and artful wood carvings, while the four bedrooms boast antique four-poster beds. Beautifully chosen paintings and sculptures add to the inspiring ambiance. Guests have an opportunity to channel the property’s artistic flair by joining an art class led by the villa guardian.
Villa Praison – Phuket, Thailand
It is very easy to fall in love with Villa Praison, a dream home gazing over the Andaman Sea in lush Phuket. While the views are fabulous and the setting is divine, it was the interiors that truly captured our hearts. Decorated with beautiful Chinese antiques, the glass encased living room is particularly inspiring. The artefacts elevate the space from a mere room to a gallery housing rare and precious treasures.
The pieces also nod to the Chinese influences that have been woven into the island’s cultural fabric – a side of Phuket that’s often overlooked by visitors. You can read more about our inspiring stay at Villa Praison here.
Athakon House – Siem Reap, Cambodia
Athakon House invites guests to channel their inner Indiana Jones. This lush timber villa is shrouded by tropical greenery, mere moments from the ancient relics of Angkor. It’s a marvellous jungle mansion that follows the timeless principles of Khmer architecture, utilizing natural building materials including timber pillars, terracotta tiles and sandstone floors.
The villa’s central, octagonal pavilion represents Mount Meru, the sacred five-peaked mountain of Buddhist cosmology, while the entrance, similar to a local temple, looks to the sunrise in the east. The enclosed rooms and the indoor/outdoor living areas are all adorned with intricately carved furniture, exquisite pieces of art and antiques and ornate textiles, creating a rich tapestry that perfectly reflects the vibrant beauty of Khmer heritage.
Villa Asli – Canggu, Bali
From the moment you arrive, Villa Asli will make you feel like you’re unmistakably, unequivocally in Indonesia. The villa consists of several joglo pavilions sourced from the island of Java, with many of them perched over lush water gardens.
The villa is a true labour of love, with every piece of material, furniture and art sourced from across the Indonesian archipelago. This includes ancient, petrified wood, incandescent mother of pearl, imposing shields and spears and enchanting jewellery, all of it hailing from Sumatra, Sumba, Toraja, Papua New Guinea and beyond. Every piece is either a one-of-a-kind antique or a custom piece created by local artisans. Staying here offers a beautiful window into Indonesian culture and heritage and feels like a rare privilege.
Rampart Street – Galle, Sri Lanka
Feel history come alive at this rare Sri Lankan gem. Rampart Street is a historic merchant’s home located on, you guessed it, Rampart Street inside Galle Fort. This historic-townhouse-turned-luxury-villa faces the ocean and looks out to the 17th century ramparts which once protected the citadel. The surrounding cobblestone streets and the nearby temple and lighthouse are rich with history – it really feels like taking a step back in time.
Inside the villa’s neat white facade, time has stood still in the most elegant way. From the artwork to the four-poster beds, the two-storey villa is decorated with a deep appreciation for local art and craftsmanship. Timber furniture and woodwork is a definite highlight, and the quarter-turn staircase is an undeniable showpiece.
Howie’s Homestay – Mae Rim, Chiang Mai
Don’t let the name fool you – Howie’s Homestay is unlike any homestay you’ve ever seen, imagined or experienced. Located in lush Mae Rim (about 45 minutes from historic Chiang Mai), this spectacular estate was designed by the one and only Bill Bensley. The villa consists of seven pavilions, each built using reclaimed teakwood.
Surrounded by magical gardens and serene ponds, the setting feels like something from an ancient folk tale. The rooms are adorned with bespoke, handcrafted furniture and Southeast Asian antiques that would look right at home in a curated museum. Rich silks by Jim Thompson and custom-made bronze details add the final flourish to this one-of-a-kind Thai wonderland.
Hartland Estate – Ubud, Bali
Tri Hita Karana is the ancient philosophy which governs all life on Bali, the Island of the Gods. The adage refers to the three sources of well-being: harmony with God, harmony among people and harmony with nature. Hidden among the rainforest and overlooking the Ayung River, Hartland Estate achieves perfect equilibrium among these three sources of bliss.
The sprawling estate with its organic gardens exists in perfect harmony with nature. Pavilions are built from locally sourced materials, including reclaimed Javanese joglos, buried teakwood and bamboo. Even the infinity pool is fed by a natural spring. The pavilions are adorned with exquisite artisanal textiles sourced by the owner from Bali, Sumba, Rote Island and beyond. Paintings by Filippo Sciascia, an Italian artist who has lived in Bali since the late 1980s, further inform the estate’s unique beauty.
Ishq Colombo – Colombo, Sri Lanka
Visiting Ishq Colombo feels like unearthing a rare and precious jewel. Hidden amid the vibrant streets of Colombo, this extraordinary villa was designed by Channa Daswatte, a protégé of Geoffrey Bawa – the grandmaster of Sri Lankan architecture. The interiors more than match the villa’s grand pedigree. Each piece gracing these elegant rooms has been chosen with the greatest of care, each one telling a rich and meaningful story – sometimes quite literally. The villa’s library houses tomes dating back more than a century. The oldest title – a Methodist prayer book dedicated to St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Colombo – is from 1844.
The villa also features exquisite pieces by Sri Lankan artists, including works by Rahju, Druvinka Madawala and Nelun Harasgama. A batik piece by the late, great Ena de Silva is our personal favourite. Sri Lankan heritage has been woven into every fibre of this exceptional villa – you can see glimmers of days gone by in the chandelier that hails from the historic Richmond Castle of Kalutara.
Our team had the privilege of staying in this one-in-a-million villa – read more about our stay at Ishq Colombo.
Our team personally inspects every villa we list, including these antique filled wonders. Let us help you plan the perfect holiday – tell our team what’s important to you and we’ll do the groundwork for you.
