Bali

A dream hideaway in the middle of the Balinese jungle.

Imagine this: you are lying almost naked in a freestanding bathtub. Your gaze wanders over the deep green valley, mist floats like a silk veil above the jungle, birds shriek, somewhere a waterfall splashes. You breathe in – and suddenly there it is again, something you have missed for a long time: peace.

Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, is no classic resort. It is a place for slowing down and reconnecting – with yourself, with nature, with what matters. No walls. No doors. No noise. No children. Instead: 16 bales, like treehouses nestling into the wilderness, with a private pool, four-poster bed and outdoor shower. For many, this is the epitome of luxury. For us: pure sensuality.

The woman behind the paradise

This resort is no faceless luxury product. It is the passion project of general manager Puspa Anggareni, a Balinese woman who grew up among the rice terraces – with the vision of creating a refuge that reflects her love of nature and of her culture. Together with a local team, she has created a resort that brings tradition, ecology and elegance together in a touching way. Perhaps the most intimate jungle resort in Asia.

Barefoot through the rainforest

Buahan lies north of Ubud – far enough away to leave the everyday bustle behind. Here, the day begins with sunrise yoga and ends with a drink by your own fire pit. In between: sound healing with Tibetan singing bowls, open-air massages, jungle walks to hidden waterfalls or cocktail workshops with a local twist. No frills. No pseudo-spiritual fuss. Just genuine, lived Bali.

Wellness for the palate, with botanicals and ferments

What ends up on your plate at Buahan is just as mindful as what happens in the spa: local, plant-based, seasonal. The “Open Kitchen” concept is experiential dining you feel with all your senses. And the bar? Botanist. Here, drinks are composed like little magic potions – from wild herbs, fermented fruit and a touch of tropical magic.

Culture that gets under your skin

At Buahan, culture isn’t a show staged for tourists but lively everyday life. Ketut, a Balinese host, guides you through the ritual of canang sari – artfully woven offerings of palm leaves, flowers and incense sticks. Every gesture, every flower has meaning. Once they’re lit comes the prayer. Then the walk down to the waterfall – for a symbolic letting go. If you want to, you can scream out everything that usually stays stuck inside.

It is a moment that moves you. Not because it is dramatic. But because it is honest. In Bali, spirituality isn’t a pose. It is in everything. In the architecture. In the kitchen. In the daily ritual. And Buahan manages to make this quiet depth tangible.

Adults only – and ecological with backbone

The best part: Buahan is adults-only. No children screaming, no pool games. Instead: an intimate, sensual vibe, as if made for queer couples, solo travellers on a self-care trip or friends with a feel for silence. And because it is all built from recycled wood, with permaculture, a zero-waste concept and genuine community involvement, this paradise also feels damn right morally.

By Raphael Hadad