Once a quiet tropical destination where people could “Eat, Pray, Love,” to their heart’s content, Bali is now very much a tourist hot spot with the hotels to match. There are plenty of boutique beauties, eco-friendly properties, big-name hotels, and designer-friendly hideaways a la Bill Bensley across the Island of the Gods. But we recently checked into Potato Head Studios in Seminyak and discovered why this OG Bali bolthole is still a firm crowd-pleaser. 

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

Review of Potato Head Studios in Seminyak

The first thing to know is that Potato Head Studios is just one accommodation arm of the much larger Desa Potato Head village. From the comfort of one of these suites though, guests have access to Desa’s full spectrum of offerings, from the famous beach club and lush spa to a slew of restaurants. 

The “village” recently added revamped accommodation options—Potato Head Suites—which sit on the other side of the property. Created by David Gianotten, Managing Partner at international architecture firm OMA, Architect Ken Fung, and local designer Andra Matin, the Studios—along with the rest of the village—are a homage to zero-waste aspirations. 

A green stay

Sustainability is at the forefront of everything at Desa Potato Head. Guests receive their first taste of green living at check-in, where, after receiving their keys, they’re whisked into the Circle Store and given a reusable beach tote and water bottle that they can use during their stay—and take with them when they leave. 

Potato Head lives and breathes its mantra of “Good Times, Do Good”. Sustainability is part of the brand’s bigger mission of creating radical innovation, a passion of founder Ronald Akili. Desa is on a mission to fulfil its goal of being zero-waste and has put in place many practices to achieve this. For guests that really want to get under the skin of Potato Head’s green initiatives, the “Follow the Waste” tour is a good place to start. But you’ll find plenty more during your stay. 

There’s a completely plant-based restaurant dishing up delicious multi-course set menus, furniture and decorative objects made from recycled materials, the “Sweet Potato Project” (a community food project championing regenerative farming), a “Waste Lab” workshop where designers research and develop ideas for repurposing surplus materials, and so much more. Did we mention the hotel’s also carbon-neutral, sponsors children’s education and grassroots communities, and has a gender-neutral fashion label made from waste called “Wasted Collective”? It’s all part of the brand’s concept of “regenerative hospitality.” 

The room

Potato Head Studios in Seminyak interior
The rooms are an exercise in stylish sustainability

It’s been a long day, but as I step into my oasis-like Oceanfront Studio, a sense of calm descends, washing away all the day’s cares. Soothing earth tones abound throughout, while sliding glass doors through the front of the room reveal a balcony (with a hammock) and views of the Studios’ pool and ocean below. 

On one side of the room, there’s a massive bed bookended by an oversized desk and daybed; on the other, a spacious lounge area and bathtub-vanity contraption. Nearly everything in the room is made from wood (recycled, of course, because sustainability), from the massive tub and double vanity to the oversized coffee table that cleverly unfolds to reveal a well-stocked wet bar. The bar, by the way, features house-infused spirits and natural syrups created by Potato Head’s mixologists. 

To really drive home the eco-friendly factor, the on-site Sweet Potato Lab—the resort’s R&D facility—has created bins, baskets, and trays from recycled materials, including Styrofoam, plastic bottles, and food waste. Avant-garde designer Max Lamb has contributed other green furnishings, from a recycled-plastic desk chair to volcanic glassware and ceramics. Bathroom amenities are all-natural, of course, by Bali’s Sensatia Botanicals, while the in-room zero-waste kit includes reusable bamboo cutlery, and refillable pots of sunscreen, after-sun cream, insect repellent, and hand sanitiser. 

Hunger busters

Potato Head Studios in Seminyak Kaum dishes
Sample Indonesian delights at Kaum

There are six restaurants and bars at Desa Potato Head, but the crowning jewel is Tanaman, the property’s boundary-pushing plant-based restaurant. The seven-course dinner menu, inspired by Balinese culinary traditions, is a symphony of flavours and textures. Despite the abundant sauces and seasonings, you can’t help but feel virtuous at the end of the meal—and it’s enough to tempt any devout carnivore to give up their meat-loving ways. 

If you can’t quite stay herbivorous during your stay, you might want to sample the fresh seafood at Ijen, the traditional Balinese recipes at Kaum, or the comfort food at Katamama. Fancy lounging on a daybed while enjoying the ocean breeze? You can order delicious snacks poolside, too. When you’re ready for a drink, visit the rooftop Sunset Park or the convivial Akademi. 

Village extras 

The Seminyak outpost of Potato Head started with the infamous Beach Club which still draws crowds. Tunes blast from speakers around the alfresco club as pretty young things hit the dance floor, lounge around, or take a cheeky dip in the infinity pool in between grabbing creative cocktails from the bar or nibbles from Ijen and Kaum. Bali boasts beach clubs aplenty these days, but there’s something heartening about being at the one that set the trend. 

Need to recover from all that partying? Book an indulgent treatment at the spa—you’ll want to try the Classic Urut Segar massage, which draws on Indonesian healing traditions to restore aching muscles and circulation. If that’s not energetic enough for you, there’s a well-kitted-out gym, yoga, a running club, workout classes, and so much more. Finish it all off with a drop from the Jamu Bar, which specialises in different varietals of Bali’s healing elixir. 

Potato Head Studios in Seminyak breathwork class
Sign up for a breath work class

Upping the creative factor, guests also have access to the Library—a cool space with floor-to-ceiling walls of captivating coffee table books and plenty of space to read or work—the multifunctional Studio Eksotika, where guests can listen to music and have in-depth conversations. This doesn’t even cover the multitude of exciting events that the property hosts—check the calendar in your room for the latest. 

There’s plenty of fun in store at Desa Potato Head and its fabulous Studios, but it’s all best enjoyed in the company of a good (but small) group of friends so that you can really take advantage of the many offerings and enjoy the convivial atmosphere. Even if you’re here by yourself or as a couple, though, you can enjoy kicking back in a fun-filled property while enjoying pampering at the spa and plenty of good food and drink. Everyone, though, will benefit from Potato Head’s eco-friendly ethos and wonder why more places aren’t taking a leaf out of this particular book. 

Learn more about Potato Head Studios in Seminyak, Bali

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