Open-air villas with private pools, jungle views & local cuisine
Buahan Kaja, Payangan, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80572, Indonesia Get directions
"Bali has no shortage of glamping spots or back-to-basic bamboo bungalows, but none will bring you closer to nature than Banyan Tree's first Escape outpost. Trundling down the jungled Buahan Valley 30 minutes north of Ubud, the hotel's 16 villas mimic Balinese balé pavilions, with creaky floors and heavy pillars from reclaimed ironwood. Like the real deal, they have no walls. At night, only a gauzy curtain keeps the insects out and lets the sounds of the valley in—the white noise of a waterfall, or a chorus of crickets. That doesn't mean you're roughing it, though: A smart air-conditioning system keeps the bed cool, each balé comes with a private plunge pool, and their hand-hammered copper bathtubs are a great spot to soak up the valley views after a day of foraging for local herbs and honey with Buahan-born head chef Eka Sunarya." - Chris Schalkx, Juliet Kinsman
"A remote, adults-only jungle retreat 40 minutes north of Ubud that purposefully dissolves indoor boundaries—accommodations are open-air bales encircled by flowing curtains with private infinity pools and hammered-copper bathtubs—allowing nature to be the main attraction amid seven visible mountain peaks on clear days. The low-impact, biophilic design uses salvaged wood and local stone paths, while dining at a zero-waste open kitchen and Botanist Bar emphasizes ingredients sourced within a roughly 43-mile radius, with about 70 percent of the menu plant-based and many fermented, gut-friendly preparations." - Kathryn Romeyn
"Guests can pre-customize minibar selections online—choosing fair-trade Tema Tea or Hungry Bird Roastery coffee—and personalize amenity kits packaged in Balinese artisan boxes with options such as Bali Highland pork spice jerky, chicharron, house-made tempe crackers and rempeyek kacang, blending sustainability, local sourcing and cultural craftsmanship." - Nora Zelevansky
"Perched on a 12-acre hillside jungle site about 40 minutes north of Ubud, this adults-only resort blends luxury and conservation through a biophilic, low-impact design that preserves waterways, cacao and durian trees and a dramatic 115-foot waterfall. Sixteen wood-shingled, 1,775-square-foot open-plan bales face west toward misty mountain peaks and forgo doors and walls to maximize connection with nature, offering privacy via curtains, private dipping pools, hand-hammered copper bathtubs and mosquito-netted beds (be aware of steep steps, uneven stone paths and occasional insect or gecko encounters). The Open Kitchen is a zero-waste restaurant led by chef Eka Sunarya that leans 70% plant-based, sources about 90% of primary ingredients within a 43-mile radius, and draws on an on-site organic garden; standout items include multi-course tasting dinners with pickled vegetables and fermented sourdough flatbread, a banana-flower dish, a watermelon tartare with cultured cashew cheese, roasted jicama with passion-fruit peanut oil emulsion, and a nasi jagung breakfast. Botanist Bar pours house-made kombuchas and cocktails inspired by Indonesian herbal tonics, and the spa offers a locally inspired pijat using a lemongrass-and-ginger detox oil. The property emphasizes community impact—almost all staff are hired locally, procurement favors area farmers and small businesses, owl abodes were built for wildlife conservation, and a firefly conservation program with a nursery invites guest participation—while striving to eliminate single-use plastics and using biodegradable, in-house enzyme mists to deter insects. Ideal for eco-conscious foodies, nature lovers and seasoned Bali travelers seeking a quieter jungle retreat, it’s less suitable for guests with limited mobility." - Kathryn Romeyn
"Waking up at this “no walls, no doors” resort is nothing short of magical: Only a gauzy curtain hangs between your bed and the chlorophyll-rich Buahan Valley fanning out right below your villa." - CNT Editors
