If crowded contemporary resorts aren’t your thing, then Bambu Indah in Ubud may just be what you’re looking for...
Perched on the Sayan Ridge in the jungle of Ubud, Bambu Indah is the semi-secret boutique hotel of John and Cynthia Hardy. A bamboo wonderland of untouched nature and regenerative tourism, it’s a radical departure from the norm, even by Bali standards. The eleven traditionally thatched antique lodgings (originally bridal homes from Java) have been fully restored and make incredible use of the open space and natural light afforded by their stunning location.
The largest of all eleven residences is Afrika House, with over 40 square metres of pure style fitted out with interiors sourced by John and Cynthia on their numerous trips to Africa. A feeling of spaciousness and some seriously beautiful primitive art make the lounge area one of the most beautiful living areas on the island whilst the hand crafted exquisite copper bath tub opens up to take in the awe inspiring tropical jungle view.
Dining at Bambu Indah is in a class of its own, with personal chef to the Hardy’s concocting a heady mix of very fine traditional Balinese dishes prepared using only the freshest ingredients and produce from the organic gardens where fruit and vegetables are harvested daily.
New addition to the Bambu Indah family, Waroeng Dapoer (kitchen) serves traditional cuisine with recipes and techniques handed down through generations of Balinese and Javanese cooks. Breakfast overlooking the gorge in the shade of the palms is one of life’s true rare treats (the home made bread and condiments alone are world class) and breakfasting anywhere else, after experiencing a Bambu Indah morning, suddenly becomes much less enjoyable.
With Ubud centre only fifteen minutes away, you have the hustle and bustle of boutiques, restaurants and bars to dip in and out of at will. But you are really here to unwind and detach from the modern world. With that in mind, there are daily hikes into rural Bali, which afford guests a rare opportunity to experience the traditional kampung (village) life that many visitors never see.
Daily hikes start at 7am and by the time you’ve returned and breakfasted, you’ll be ready for one of the property’s signature spa treatments, our favourite being the Balinese massage and scrub with a decadent body scrub, hour long massage and natural yoghurt polish to restore your body’s natural PH balance.
Bambu Indah is available for private individual and group bookings. Be sure to spend some time looking into what the Hardy family has been doing with regenerative tourism and bamboo home constructions in Ubud, especially IBUKU (created by their daughter Elora Hardy) which is a truly otherworldly architectural achievement. Highly recommended.
Bambu Indah, Jl Banjar Baung, Desa Sayan, Ubud, p. +62 361 886 8807, e. [email protected].
