When some people think of a luxury stay that caters to the ultra wealthy, they may imagine a five-star hotel with a Michelin-star restaurant. Others might think of an overwater bungalow that makes them feel at one with the ocean.
15.04.2024 - 04:34 / breakingtravelnews.com
Located in the lush green hills of Ubud in Bali, surrounded by the picturesque Ubud jungle and the valley of the Tukad Pakerisan sacred river, is HOSHINOYA Bali, a tranquil retreat where just 30 luxurious guest villas nestle amongst the trees.
HOSHINOYA Bali is the first property within Hoshino Resorts’ luxury HOSHINOYA brand to be created outside of Japan. Built in 2017, it incorporates touches of rich Balinese culture throughout every aspect of its design, service and ethos. The resort delivers a truly immersive experience – an understanding of Ubud’s rich, yet lesser-known, cultural heritage – across not only the architecture and design of its unique accommodation, but also the experiences and activities on offer.
Architecture and Design
The integration of Balinese and Japanese architecture throughout HOSHINOYA Bali has created the unique character of the resort. Public spaces are woven into the natural landscape, with boardwalks built along the traditional Subak (tiered irrigation) system, and guest villas forming a small village, set around three canal-like bathing pools, reminiscent of the sacred river below. Each villa features a terrace with direct access to the spectacular pools, along with a poolside lounge and thatched gazebo, tailor-made for enjoying Bali’s temperate climate.
The walls of each villa are decorated with hand-carved wooden pictures, each one telling a different story related to Ubud’s wild birds, flora, and vegetation. The stone walls of the poolside lounge areas also feature complex traditional Balinese engravings, with plant and animal motifs, creating an aesthetic connection between each villa’s interior and the majestic jungle that extends beyond. Shoji (Japanese sliding doors) and Andon (Japanese lantern style lights) are carefully integrated amidst the many aspects of Balinese design.
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Dining
Savour drinks and light snacks amongst the treetops in Café Gazebo, a unique setting which sits above the 170m deep valley. Enjoy the refreshing breeze, and marvel at the tropical jungle below. As dawn breaks, morning sunlight shines through the gaps between the jungle trees, and Café Gazebo is bathed in an orange glow, accompanied solely by the gentle sounds of birds greeting the new day, and the river flowing beneath. Guests can enjoy not only breakfast, but also desserts and drinks in Café Gazebo, whilst savouring the many different sensory experiences within the jungle as it changes, hour by hour, throughout the day.
For a more formal dining experience, The Restaurant at HOSHINOYA Bali offers guests an immersive experience, showcasing the vibrant flavours of traditional Indonesian and Japanese cuisine. Carefully-selected local ingredients - and spices - allow
When some people think of a luxury stay that caters to the ultra wealthy, they may imagine a five-star hotel with a Michelin-star restaurant. Others might think of an overwater bungalow that makes them feel at one with the ocean.
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