A retired Boeing 737 has been turned into a private luxury villa, sitting at the top of a cliff near Bali’s Nyang-Nyang Beach.
The aircraft belonged to Mandala Airlines, but the company ceased operations in 2014. In 2021, developer Felix Demin bought the plane, having a vision of transforming it into something special. Although he was initially looking into acquiring a private jet for personal use, he soon realised there was far higher potential to be exploited.
He found about 20 planes around Indonesia during his search before settling on the Boeing 737. “Even before buying it, I thought that it was possible to convert it into some kind of unique object, and decided to concentrate on creating a villa”, he told CNN.
Purchasing the plane was merely the beginning of what was to be a strenuous journey to getting it ready to welcome guests. Taking the aircraft to its current location, on the cliff 150 metres above sea level, required two months of planning and consulting with Boeing on how to take it apart and then put it back together. “We’ve loosened 50,000 bolts”, Demin said.
The actual process of moving the plane took five days, most of the operations being carried out at night time. A police escort, two cranes, a platform and specialists who lifted the low hanging electrical wires of the narrow streets of Bali were needed to complete the transportation.
I want people to experience the wow effect from every second of being in this unusual place.
Felix Demin
After the plane was re-assembled, its interior was completely stripped and renovated. Demin had a clear vision in mind for the retired Boeing to ensure people would “experience the wow effect from the very second of being in this unusual place”.
The aircraft turned luxury villa now has two bedrooms with walk-in closets, a living room with a sofa bed, bar and glass portal, two bathrooms, one of which is in the former cockpit, and a small kitchen equipped with a microwave, an electric kettle, free tea bags and instant coffee and free bottled water, among the other amenities. The air-conditioned accommodation also offers free Wi-Fi to its guests, who can also enjoy the pool on the property.
The only thing that is still missing to complete Demin’s concept is a glass railing fitted around the plane’s wing, which he says has proved challenging as people are reluctant to work on a wing hanging over a cliff. The railing will still be installed as soon as he finds someone “brave enough to implement it”.
Known as the “Private Jet Villa by Hanging Gardens“, the property will become available for rent in April, with rates starting at $7,000 per night.
