Airplane conversions are not rare, but they're not the norm, either. Upcycling decommissioned aircraft is a task only for the strongest of hearts and the deepest of pockets, no matter how low and attractive the price of the fuselage. But they do tell incredible stories.
More than a decade ago, a woman dubbed "gutsy little grandma," Jo Ann Ussery, turned an abandoned Boeing 727 into a home she called "Little Trump," named so after Trump's $16 million Boeing 727 jet. To date, her project remains the best example of working on a budget but with big dreams, the story of an average woman achieving extraordinary things.
The Private Jet Villa is the opposite of that.
Whereas "Little Trump" was the story of a regular woman falling in love with the idea of living in an aircraft home conversion and then spending years to actually get it, the Private Jet Villa is a dream of the most expensive kind. It's a Russian entrepreneur's dream funded through investments, where money was clearly not an issue.
Photo: Private Jet Villa
They're both incredible stories but at the opposite end of the spectrum: airplane conversions that are notable examples of upcycling but catering to different audiences. If the "Little Trump" conversion is an inspirational tale for everyone, the Private Jet Villa is a glimpse into the world of the one-percenters. The look-but-don't-touch kind of dream, if you will.
It's still upcycling, though. The Private Jet Villa boasts of being the only Boeing 737 luxury hotel conversion in the world, retaining the entire fuselage and some interior elements but going overboard with premium features to create the most incredible vacation place ever. Of course, it helps that it's located in Bali, on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean and Nyang Nyang Beach.
The project was in development for years and missed several deadlines by the time it finally opened to the public in December 2023, mostly because of the international health crisis of 2020. Initially scheduled to open in 2021, it's the brainchild of Russian entrepreneur Felix Demin, a man with considerable experience in Bali hospitality. When he saw the decommissioned Mandala Air Boeing 737, he knew he had a golden opportunity on his hands.
Photo: Private Jet Villa
You know what they say, good things come to those who wait. But good things mostly come to those who work hard for them, and Felix is one of those people. In the video interview below, he shows off the villa he built, a most lavish retreat with features you'll find nowhere else.
These include an infinity-edge pool with a jacuzzi and uninterrupted views of the ocean, the most breathtaking outdoor lounge you'll ever see, located on the wing of the forever-grounded aircraft, a sunken jacuzzi in the former cockpit, and lavish interiors with finishes that rightfully qualify as works of art.
This sounds like a plug (it's not, we promise), but the finished conversion lives up to the hype, as the video will show.
Photo: Private Jet Villa
The aircraft offers sleeping for four people in two bedrooms, the jet suite and the first-class suite, both with the original aircraft doors that still open – now only to offer access to a netted lounge that easily qualifies for the most Instagrammable spot.
In between the jacuzzi in the pool, the indoor one, the large lounge on the wing, and exquisite touches like a hand-carved marble freestanding tub and a matching shower, you will be spoiled, pampered, and then spoiled some more.
You get a boarding pass when you arrive on-site either by limo or by private helicopter, so it's a good thing that the Villa comes with a helipad. The experience is a premium one from the moment you set foot on the property to the minutest detail, including a 5-star private chef on hand and an entire crew to cater to all your needs and whims.
Photo: Private Jet Villa
As impressive as all this is, it would pale if it weren't for the incredible location. The Villa sits on a hill, 150 meters (492 feet) above sea level, and, from afar, still resembles a functional aircraft that landed there by mistake. The location is no mistake, and proof of that is in the popularity of this airplane conversion with influencers and travel vloggers.
To us, reading at home or on the commute from work, the Private Jet Villa is, at best, a stunning example of upcycling for the rich, where a grounded aircraft gets a second, very surprising lease on life as the fanciest vacation villa. One man's trash is another man's treasure, and this Boeing, which last flew in 2014, is Felix's treasure.
It's priced accordingly, too: a night here starts at $1,600 and goes progressively higher as you tick options on the list. If you want pampering, it'll cost ya. But looking costs nothing, so there you go!
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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