With Bali a firm favourite on the tourist trail, many long-time visitors bemoan the build-up of commercial ventures across Seminyak and Ubud, longing for the days when the Island of the Gods was still a (relatively) undiscovered paradise of laid back charm and culture. But at the recently-opened Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, we found a resort that aims to recall this bygone era for a new generation of travellers.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Review of Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in Bali

Tucked into the dense Balinese jungle, surrounded by the island’s majestic seven peaks, verdant rice paddies, and the Ayung River, Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, aims to connect guests to the local culture and nature with a focus on “purpose-led experiential travel”.

Located 40 minutes north of Ubud, in a blissfully tranquil location far from the maddening crowds of the town centre, this new resort caters to visitors who want a more relaxing and culturally-driven stay away from the tourist-trap bars and boutiques.

Buahan is the first property under the new Banyan Tree Escapes concept, which has been explicitly conceived to build fully immersive experiences that blend unique natural landscapes with sustainable design. With this in mind, the resort takes a ‘naked experience’ approach which puts guests in the heart of Bali’s incredible jungle landscape. To maximise the tranquillity of this back-to-nature approach, where guests are encouraged to kick back and spend time with themselves and their travel partners, Buahan is strictly adults-only.

When nature meets sustainability

Embracing a No Walls, No Doors concept, Buahan puts its incredible natural surroundings front and centre, a move in line with its focus on sustainability. It took 15 years to develop the concept for this carefully considered property, with Banyan Tree’s Head of Architecture, Dharmali Kusumadi and local sustainable architect Gede Kresna taking the lead to develop a design ethos that reflects the agriculture, religion, culture, and craftsmanship of the local village and community.

Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape Toja Spa
Relax sublimely at the spa

Buahan is sprawled across four levels set across the side of a mountain and is connected by stone pathways and a little wooden funicular. Mimicking a village, each part of the resort—the villas, the spa huts, the yoga bale—is set in its own little enclave, and everything comes together to form a greater whole.

In keeping with Buahan’s sustainable narrative, the resort sports locally-sourced Ulin wood—ironwood—salvaged from old boat piers and fishing boats in Bali’s Kalimantan region through its entirety. This, along with other sustainable materials like fast-growing bamboo, and the painstaking preservation of the area’s vegetation, flora, and fauna, mean that this is truly an eco-friendly property.

The villa

There are just 16 bales—or villas—at Buahan, each one conforming to the resort’s ethos and offering a sense of escapism and intimacy. Inspired by traditional Balinese homes, local aesthetics and architecture are carefully woven throughout, from the entryway marked by double wooden doors to the stonework and woven textiles. Of course, particular care was taken to blend the bales into the landscape, with Kusumadi and Kresna working hard to identify the perfect site for each of the 16 bales so that guests would be afforded scenic views and maximum privacy.

Buahan a banyan tree escape bali room interior
Take in the sweeping views from your villa

Walking into the villa, guests are immediately captivated by the sweeping 180° panoramas of soaring mountains swathed in lush greenery; at sunset, golden light turns the forest a vivid green while in the mornings mist hangs low, hiding the peaks and creating a sense of awe-inspiring mysticism. You’ll want to lounge in the private pool and poolside gazebo for the best effect.

Despite the return-to-nature concept, there’s a real sense of comfort here and you can tell a lot of detail has gone into creating these boltholes. Bamboo blinds are let down during turndown service so that guests feel like they’re sleeping within four walls, and there are two sets of hefty netting around the bed to keep insects out at night.

The open bathroom features a massive double vanity with a walk-in toilet and double shower cleverly concealed by stone walls, though, the best bit is the bespoke, handmade copper bathtubs—handmade by local craftsmen in central Java—where you can enjoy a soak while marvelling at the captivating views.

Technology is—by design—kept to a minimum here, so you won’t find any TVs or plug-and-play speakers. But, there is a smartphone through which you can order room service and book day trips and spa appointments and—very ingeniously—a canopy over the cosy king-sized bed that simulates aircon so guests don’t swelter in bed on balmy nights.

Delve into Balinese culture

The whole concept of Buahan is to allow guests to unplug from the world and relax while exploring the rich cultural heritage of the Island of the Gods. And you’ll certainly find plenty of ways to do this. The Toja Spa—essentially a collection of several private treatment villas sprinkled throughout the property—specialises in wellness journeys inspired by Balinese healing traditions and is well worth a visit. The treatments are, in a word, sublime—the Banyan Tree brand is famous for its wellness concepts, after all—but it’s the moment at the end of the treatment, as you soak in the serenity of the jungle views with a cup of herbal tea, that really soothes.

The Open Kitchen is the property’s onsite restaurant where guests gather for semi-buffet breakfasts and lingering dinners. The concept here is zero-waste, farm-to-table cuisine with a focus on plant-based dishes laced with plenty of local produce and traditional cooking techniques. You can start your day with fruit from the nearby village and traditional Balinese dishes made-to-order, and end it with a four-course dinner which might feature a main like “Galuh heritage rice, turmeric spice coconut butter, 67 degrees duck egg yolk, curry leaves, pumpkin, fried mung bean sprouts, puffed rice, wild leaf”—to which you could add pan-fried fish. Upstairs, the Botanist Bar is a lovely spot from which to watch the sun go down while sipping on cocktails with locally-grown natural ingredients and botanicals at their core.

 

There’s plenty to do while you’re here, too. The active can explore the surrounding jungles, rivers, and waterfalls on adventurous hikes, while culture vultures can learn to make jamu (the local herbal drink), loloh (Balinese medicines), or take part in the Mesabatan Api “Fire War” ceremony. Don’t miss the chance to fully relax by taking part in one of the daily yoga activities or perhaps indulging in a spot of reading or meditation in one of the many Hideaway Spots hidden across the resort.

At Buahan, guests are given the unique opportunity to connect with the local Balinese culture and community, which is a nice change from the commercially driven haunts that are all over the island. If you’re flying solo, this is a great chance for some quality me-time where you can reconnect with yourself; but the property would work equally well for a couple looking to bask in each other’s company for a weekend. Either way, you’ll come away relaxed, refreshed, and ready to tackle whatever comes next.

Learn more about Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape

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