Live amid the rice fields in Ubud, Bali: we review Tanah Gajah, a Hadiprana Resort
Balinese architectural style.
The boutique hotels in Bali need to be experienced to be believed. Whether you’re living your best beach life or exploring the captivating jungle, guests can expect designer digs coupled with that signature island hospitality. And if you’re Ubud bound, Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana offers a historic architectural stay amid curated gardens and surrounded by the region’s iconic stepped rice paddies.
While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana review
The design
Located just outside the artists’ village of Ubud, Tanah Gajah was formerly the holiday home of one of Indonesia’s most respected art collectors and architects, Hendra Hadiprana. The name means Elephant Realm and was inspired by the nearby Goa Gajah Temple. He designed the residence himself in the 1980s and in 2020 it became the flagship hotel for the Hadiprana brand.
Elephants can be found everywhere across the property from the stone statues in the garden to the water features to, my my personal favourites, the flying elephants hanging from the ceiling in the lobby – it’s elephant everything and we loved spotting them from the swimming pools to the spa.
Throughout the 24 villas and suites that are spread over five hectares, bespoke furniture with a traditional Balinese aesthetic has been designed by The House of Hadiprana and artworks from the collection can be enjoyed around every turn.
Guests can choose to book into the Hadiprana Estate on the property which was the original residence designed and lived in by Hadiprana and his family. Perfect for families or friends, the residence offers two bedrooms and plenty of living space plus a generous outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. It’s like being inside a living art gallery and feels exceptionally special.
The arrival
Just arriving at Tanah Gajah is an experience in itself. You enter the property from below, so at first you can’t really see much, but as you climb a few steps, suddenly the beauty of the compound is revealed. Passing the on-site temple, we moved towards the lobby not quite knowing where to look as we took in the exquisite vistas of the surroundings.
At the lobby, we received welcome drinks as we checked-in and one of the team explained more about the property, its history, and the layout. When we were ready, we jumped into the buggy and went to our room as our driver toured us around the grounds.
I need to point out that the people who work at the hotel are all exceptional. During our stay, I spoke with a number of them who have been working there for over a decade and their love for the property comes through at every level, from the thoughtful ideas of where to take photographs to the ease at which everything is arranged. The hotel clearly has a knack for hiring and training hospitality specialists and it’s very much noticed and appreciated.
The room
If I had to describe what staying in our One Bedroom Club Pool Villa was like in a word, I would have to say: magical. Stepping through the wooden entrance doors, we were struck by our very generously sized private pool which had doors that could be opened to expose the rice paddies next door. Each villa is appointed in such a way that once you close the door, you have complete privacy, which I really loved.
Inside, the aesthetic is traditional Balinese with dark wood taking centre stage along with a huge bed and some stunning art pieces. The bathroom gave us separate sinks, an indoor shower and an outdoor bathtub complete with both salts and bubbles. This was my favourite place in the evenings as I soaked away the day listening to the frogs and insects and reading my book. I also enjoyed relaxing in the yellow kimono crafted from batik fabric.
The Club selection of villas offers guests a whole host of extras, including breakfast, afternoon tea at Panen Padi Lounge, sunset cocktails, and laundry. The complimentary mini bar inclusive of spirits, beers, and juices is a nice touch too.
Food and drink
The Tempayan at Tanah Gajah is the place where guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Offering panoramic views of the rice fields, it’s an exquisite setting for some equally divine dining.
Helmed by Singaporean/Indonesian Executive Chef Dean Nor, we were very impressed by every meal, especially the way the restaurant uses local ingredients, many of which are grown on site.
On our first evening, we experienced a six-course Omakase meal cooked for us by Chef Nor himself. Every single dish was phenomenal and it was a great way to learn more about the ethos of the restaurant. A highlight for me was the locally-caught sea bass cured in cinnamon from the garden.
The all-day menu serves a selection of both Balinese and Western dishes (the grilled Barramundi fillet, pandan-scented Balinese spice, with urab salad is a knockout!) plus guests can order a range of international dishes by giving the kitchen 24-hours notice.
Breakfast includes a range of treats, both local and international, fresh fruit and pastries. One morning, we opted to have it delivered to the villa so that we could eat on the deck by the pool, which was heavenly.
Panen Padi Lounge is the place to be for afternoon tea. Every day, Club guests come to the lounge to luxuriate and take in the rice paddies while sampling a selection of homemade sweet and savoury treats.
We also experienced a private afternoon tea setup by the rice paddies, which was really lovely and was a great place to snap some pictures with the golden flags that cut across the landscape of the resort.
Wellness
The entire property has been designed as a sanctuary of calm, and we certainly felt rejuvenated after our stay. Just walking through the gardens, taking in the ornamental lake, complete with black and white swans is a wonderful way to relax, and I thoroughly enjoyed my morning walks around the property accompanied by the natural soundtrack of everything coming to life.
If it’s a stronger workout you’re looking for, a small but perfectly formed gym is available in the spa area. There is a selection of cardio machines along with free weights and mats to keep up with any fitness regime, plus the views of the rice paddies are second to none.
Two swimming pools are on offer for relaxing at, one that is big enough for lengths and one filled with toys for the younger guests.
At the Spa, I booked in for a Jade Massage that is designed to relieve tension and restore energy. The therapist was amazing and combined elements of Balinese, Shiatsu, and Swedish massage to leave me feeling restored and revitalised.
Experiences
The team at Tanah Gajah have curated a number of unique things to do on the property so you don’t ever have to leave. The highlight for us was the hot air balloon ride, the only one available on the island. We woke up early to hop in and head up to see the captivating views from around the resort. It’s the ideal way to see the sheer beauty of the location, from jungles to rice fields to Mount Agung, plus a professional photo by a photographer is included in the package.
And if photos are your thing, then you need to head to the Elephant Gate. Here you can use a mirror to take a special photo with a reflection. Guests can also book in for a private dinner beside the gate.
Every Tuesday and Friday a special 30-minute Kecak Dance performance is performed in the amphitheatre. You can also book in for a three-course meal to enjoy alongside the entertainment.
A number of cooking classes, unique tours, and curated journeys are available to arrange through the Butler Service. They also offer a complimentary daily shuttle service between the resort and Ubud town.
Don’t miss out on visiting the resort’s wonderfully curated boutique where you can pick up your own Flying Elephants to take home alongside art, curios, homeware, and gift cards from local artists. I got a lovely toiletry bag from a Balinese social enterprise that teaches art to children with disabilities or long-term health conditions and prints them into gifts where you get a card with the name and story of the artist.
Final thoughts
Thanks to its location beside working rice fields and by blending local architecture and design with sublime service, you can truly expect something special here. We’d go back to experience the magic again in a heartbeat.
Learn more about Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana or Book through Booking.com
But wait, there’s more…
- These are Bali’s best hotel swimming pools
- Discover the best luxury hotels in the Maldives
- And we recently checked-in at the new Singapore EDITION
