Private island

Cliffside living by architect Sim Boon Yang

Perched on the slopes of Elang, the new lodges are named after indigenous trees found on the island; Ficus, Yucca, Lychee (which grows up through the balcony of the named lodge), Cycad and Satigi.

The final lodge, Longhouse, is a two-bedroom lodge and is known as the owner’s residence. Each sustainably minded lodge has been built with as little carbon footprint as possible with construction done by hand.

Created by Singaporean architect Sim Boon Yang the design seamlessly blends the outdoor natural environment with beautiful interiors. Mirroring Yang’s work on Bawah island, the interiors have been created from recycled natural materials, bamboo, driftwood and hand-cut stone.

The use of these, alongside floaty, textured soft furnishings, offers a sense of escapism and adventure to the design. Each lodge comes with its own private butler, just a WhatsApp away from guests’ personal in-room mobile phone, and boasts spacious living areas with traditional hand-woven panelling and carvings by artisans from Java.

Each lodge has a spacious balcony with sparkling ocean views, some with outdoor bathtubs, and most with private paths leading to hidden rocky coves and into the sea.

Sim Boon created the island’s communal two-storey Club House, which is inspired by the Rumah Adat, or ceremonial house, which is the village focal point of tribal communities in the Indonesian archipelago.

The open-air dining room and bar have been carefully designed around a natural rock formation and offer unobstructed views of the sea, ideal for catching the sunset over the lagoon. Here, a saltwater infinity pool with a water slide has been created from a natural hollow and is refreshed by each tide.

Guests of Elang can opt to dine here or at The Beach House, a laidback beachside spot from which guests can paddleboard, kayak, snorkel and swim or simply sunbathe on the private beach overlooking the lagoon.

Dining by design

Elang’s dining experience is completely bespoke for each guest and group, the island’s dine by design concept is inspired by the Earth’s essential elements: fire, water, nature and air.

Executive Chef, Michael Pataran and his team use fresh, local ingredients including produce grown at Bawah’s permaculture gardens and traditional cooking methods such as wood-fired ovens to impart smokiness from the forests, island clay used for plancha cooking and fresh-caught seafood prepared with salt from the surrounding sea.

Each ingredient and dish is carefully considered, sourced and prepared to create a memorable dining experience. Elang residents can also opt for in-lodge dining or be whisked away to a secluded island for a private destination dining experience.

Kayu wellbeing

The Kayu – meaning wood – Spa pays homage to the native trees growing on the island and is set in a restored joglo-a, a traditional Javanese house, complete with a pyramidal roof, reminiscent of a mountain, which is symbolic of all things sacred in Javanese culture.

The Kayu Spa offers guests daily treatments (included in the inclusive rate) with true indulgence at the core of the Kayu concept. Each well-being experience is specifically tailored to each guest’s needs, from skin rejuvenation, detox pathway stimulation and muscle repair to stress balancing and emotional equilibrium restoration.

Only the purest ingredients are used, sourced on the island or as locally as possible such as organic coconut oil, freshly picked aloe vera and island spices like ginger, lemongrass, turmeric, and cinnamon.

Through a pre-treatment consultation, therapists distinguish one of six wellness goals; Rejuvenate, Invigorate, Equilibrium, Revitalize, Radiance and Purity, and design a bespoke treatment designed to achieve it.

Not to be missed is daily meditation, yoga or Pilates on the Kayu Spa’s Rock Bale, a beautiful open-air Indonesian platform protruding into the ocean and surrounded by the blue lagoon.

Discovering Elang and the Anambas

Named Elang, meaning Eagle, in honour of the eagles that nest on the island, guests of Elang Private Residence can explore the other five islands, 13 beaches three lagoons and 100 hectares of forest that make up the remote reserve with a host of nature-led experiences.

From paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, snorkelling and diving to on-land activities including hiking, tennis, croquet, birdwatching and star gazing, residents’ dedicated Island Host, available 24/7 in person or via WhatsApp, can pull together an itinerary to suit all needs. Activities are included in the inclusive rate, in addition to full board dining and daily spa treatments.

Only accessible via private seaplane from Singapore and Batam, Bawah Reserve combines high-end design with sustainability and a back-to-nature concept. Elang Private Residence is further elevating the private island experience.

Known for introducing the Anambas Islands to the discerning traveller, Bawah Reserve offers a unique off-the-beaten-track experience in this far-flung part of Indonesia.

Details

Elang Private Residence is now open. Rates to hire Elang Private Residence start at USD$25,000 per night for 14 guests.

Rates include full board, daily spa treatments, laundry, in-room minibar and a host of land and water-based activities. The island can accommodate up to 19 guests at an additional cost.

bawahreserve.com
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