Aerial adventures and weddings with a swan - here are just a few reasons why we’re crushing on this Ubud treasure
We’ll let you in on a little secret: we’ve always been big fans of The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah. We love each of the private pool villas, the exclusive “Club Benefits” that treat everyone like a VIP, and we love the heartwarming story behind the estate’s history (more on that later). But at the same time, we also love keeping this little gem to ourselves, because whenever we step through the stone-carved entrance and moss-covered walls, it feels like we’re the only ones there. Our own private piece of paradise.
Well, just recently, The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah has hit the headlines – and rightly so – because our hush-hush hideaway has just unveiled a “first” for Bali: a sky-high adventure that’s giving us an aerial perspective of this beautiful island by balloon. And while we’d like to keep this place as our little Ubud secret, here are three things that we’re crushing on right now at The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah, and why our treasured Ubud gem deserves the spotlight.
Reason One: Next-level adventures – The Chedi Club Ubud has its own hot air balloon!
Yup, The Chedi Club Ubud’s island rep has officially soared to dizzying new heights, because for the first time ever, Bali’s adventure addicts can now take to the skies in a hot air balloon. Step aside, pesky drones, this brand new island experience reveals panoramic views of Ubud’s rice paddies, tropical jungle and distant volcanoes at a thrilling 50 metres above ground…
The views up here really are as breathtaking as they come, and the Insta-opportunities are second to none too. The technicoloured 23-metre stripey balloon is anchored in the midst of The Chedi Club’s emerald landscapes, with a quaint wicker basket at its base that opens its gate to next-level adventures, three times daily.
Despite balloon rides being a tourism hit in most other exotic locations, Bali has always been bereft of balloons. Sure, we have beaches, temples, sacred forests and jungle swings, but until now, we’ve never had our very own fire-fuelled airship. It’s the only ballooning experience on the island, and the first initiative to be launched by a resort…
Each flight climbs 50 metres high and floats at the end of a tether to soak up views of Mt. Agung and the 5-hectare estate of The Chedi Club below. The flights take to the sky at both dawn and dusk to capture the sun’s warm magical glow as it flirts with the horizon, and to really top off the experience, each flight includes either breakfast, afternoon tea or dinner, depending on the time of day. Now that’s five-star adventuring done right!
Reason Two: Dining with a view – The Restaurant is a feast for your eyes and tummy!
If there’s one thing that makes the fragrant flavours of a Balinese Rijsttafel even more scrumptious, it’s a vista of blooming gardens filled with fresh veggies that make it from farm-to-plate in no time at all. Well, that’s just one of the sights to soak up at The Chedi Club Ubud’s signature restaurant – an enormous open-air dining room that teeters on the edge of an emerald expanse.
But it’s not purely the just-picked herbs and vegetables from the surrounding organic gardens that make the Asian and Western cuisine of The Restaurant so exceptional. Executive Chef Dean Nor is all about luxury dining, and so he transforms local dishes like Nasi Campur and Ayam Sambal Tomat into gourmet creations. Hot tip: try the Otoro Tataki sambal matah with crispy organic fennel, house-grown organic tomatoes, nasturtium leaves and home-picked vegetables, and wash it down with one of The Chedi Club’s signature cocktails, that also uses freshly plucked ingredients from the organic gardens (our fave is the Pineapple Coriander Roschka that used lemongrass-infused vodka – yum!). Check out The Restaurant in our roundup of Ubud’s 50 best restaurants.
Reason Three: Say “Yes” Chedi-style – it’s dreamy destinations galore in the heart of Ubud
As a refined, five-star resort, The Chedi Club Ubud is very well versed in nailing your nuptials and other special events. Not only does the resort boast a collection of totally unique venues for up to 200 guests (hello traditional Balinese amphitheater!) this resort also takes care of the logistics too. Everything from wedding legalisation to hiring a rocking band for a corporate event, to taking care of the little extras, like hair, makeup and wedding gifts – the team here really have you covered.
For a fairytale outdoor wedding, our fave Chedi venue is the rice paddy platform – a suspended stage in the middle of pristine greenery that’s lit up by glowing lanterns and fluttering fireflies by nightfall. This dreamy destination is closely followed by the gorgeous flowering gazebo that sits above a lotus pond, home to a family of elegant swans (is this a Disney movie?!).
No matter what the occasion, the atmo at The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah makes it one-of-a-kind. With its five-hectares of serene, magical gardens, there’s plenty of space to wow your guests amidst the natural surroundings. But it’s not only the outdoors that deserve a mention here, because the property itself was first conceptualised by Indonesia’s most respected architect and art-collector, Hendra Hadiprana. He built the estate as his own secluded hideaway and weekend retreat for his family and friends, decking the place out with his most prized possessions. Well, this personalised feel is still ever-present to this day, adding an extra special touch to your big day. Cue the swoons!
So what are you waiting for Honeys? See you in the Chedi skies soon!
The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah, Jl Goa Gajah, Tengkulak Kaja, Ubud, p. +62 361 975 685, e. [email protected].
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