Despite still being subject to travel restrictions, some resort operators are looking ahead to returning visitors wanting space and relaxation. One such is Banyan Tree Group, with its new Buahan Escape in northern Bali. By James Teo.

Ubud, Indonesia, June 2021. Despite restrictions, some operators are looking ahead to the re-booting of holiday travel. The hiatus has allowed some companies to rethink their approach to sustainable resorts. One such is Banyan Tree Group, who have parlayed pent-up demand for travel into a new, socially-distanced location in the hills north of Bali’s famous Ubud town, with its artists, rice paddies and clean mountain air.

Ho Ren Yung, Brand VP at Banyan Tree said the company bought a plot of land in the hills north of Ubud more than twenty years ago, but until the current global situation, had done nothing concrete with it. This month, it opens the new Buahan Escape to customers that want a holiday, but without the constrictions of hotel stays.

“The conceptualisation of (Buahan) started some five years ago, looking for a way for people to be present, to unearth, renew, and a way to truly 'be here'” she says.

The Banyan Tree team have put together a social-contact friendly ‘no walls, no doors’ concept for the new resort’s 16 balés (villas), with what it calls “a vision for immersive experiences combining deep nature and sustainable design.”

As part of this open air, sustainable build, the resort has been designed by Dharmali Kusumadi, the group's chief architect, assisted by renowned local Balinese design and sustainability designer Gede Kresna.

“My role as an architect is not that important,” explained Kresna. “In other words, the architect is not as important as the materials, all collaborated together in accordance with their properties,” he added.

As part of this approach, and to ensure the surrounding environment and nature were not compromised, Kresna and his team conducted a four-month research project on the sociological, architectural and cultural aspects that would be impacted within a one-hour radius of the property. This guided the design team on how experiences could be created and ensured guests understood the resort's relationship to the surrounding community.

The villas also incorporate unconventional craft forms, including re-purposed Ulin ‘iron’ wood from boat jetties, hand-carved wooden headboards, hand-smithed copper bathtubs and natural dye soft furnishings. Surrounded as it is by rice paddies and jungle, the site's unique topography next to the Ayung River and waterfall, along with a sweeping view of seven dormant volcanoes makes it unique, says Banyan Tree’s Ho.

“Fireflies in your room at night, and morning mists with the sunrise – it is an unparalleled journey, communing with nature, alone and with others," she says.

The resort also aims to bring a sustainable aspect to its catering and beverages. Guests are invited to learn how they can reinvent the basics of food and drink through a wander through its unique zero-waste farm-to-table concept, local sourcing philosophy and heritage food preparation techniques. Both kitchen and bar use local-grown natural ingredients and botanicals infused into their products to help achieve this aim.

The villas cleverly meld indoor-outdoor living areas with 180-degree panoramic views with sounds of the forest, with only a balcony rail or two separating guests from raw nature.

Additionally, the resort offers secret Hideaway Spots scattered around the property, giving an additional chance for guests to withdraw into nature and indulge in a spot of meditation, reading, or simply taking a moment to pause and unwind away from other people.

If visitors do want to hang out with other people, Ubud town is not far away with its historic Ubud Palace Temple, gorgeous waterfalls, cultural shows, yoga studios and handmade craft shops. But Buahan’s key advantage is it’s physical situation that makes it the perfect spot for an escape, said Ho.  

“This resort has been a labour of love for us, and a bold experience proposition that we are excited to see become real,” she added.