Canadian eco-pioneer and jewellery designer John Hardy and his wife Cynthia are at the forefront of Balinese green design, and this stunning retreat is one of the many beautiful feathers in their cap.
Enchanting pathways cut through small rice paddies to bridge over a natural pool-river where you'll share the freshest of swims with tiny fish. Each beautiful house is different, and range from romantic woven pods and jaw-dropping treehouses to antique abodes with hand-carved teak and ensuites constructed from thick bamboo. Views across the Ayung river gorge are lush lime green, and the horizon rises up to picture-perfect mountains.
This is a real family affair, with John and Cynthia's daughters also contributing to the unique designs. Though totally original in form, each one is carefully laid out to make the most of the wilderness around it. Sit out on your deck and feast on their garden produce. Shoot the breeze then wait for the sound of frogs to fill the air as you drift off to sleep. Bambu Indah means beautiful bamboo in Indonesian. Unforgettable.
Highs
- Beautifully constructed wooden houses with muslin-draped four-posters and unique touches - a treetop yoga deck in Guadua, a Japanese-style bathtub in Kuno
- Natural setting amidst organic gardens and rice paddies
- Some of the most stunning views in Bali
- Amazing bamboo architecture and strong eco credentials (the owners also founded the world-acclaimed Green School)
- Authentic and atmospheric, with lovely welcoming staff
Lows
- Main deck overhangs a ravine, so more adventurous youngsters should be kept on a lead
- Set away from the Ubud action, though there are daily shuttles and transport can be arranged
- Narrow paths leading to the rooms can get slippery in the rain; bring sensible footwear
- Be prepared to share your room with the resident wildlife, this is a true back-to-nature experience
Best time to go
April to October is the dry season, although it can rain at any time in Ubud. Note that Christmas and New Year can be very busy, despite being rainy season.
Our top tips
Don't miss a visit to the owners' Green School - the world's number one model of sustainability in education in the world.
Every aspect of the site and buildings are living examples of sustainability: the School's many buildings are cooled and powered by sustainable energy solutions including micro-hydro power, solar power, bio-diesel and predominantly natural air-conditioning. Indonesian bamboo, local alang alang grass, traditional mud walls and mud brick are used to construct classrooms, athletic facilities and other school buildings to minimize use of non-sustainable materials such as concretes and plastics. Their standard is to use 99 percent natural materials in any construction projects, to recycle as many materials as possible, and to manage their waste responsibly.
Every aspect of the site and buildings are living examples of sustainability: the School's many buildings are cooled and powered by sustainable energy solutions including micro-hydro power, solar power, bio-diesel and predominantly natural air-conditioning. Indonesian bamboo, local alang alang grass, traditional mud walls and mud brick are used to construct classrooms, athletic facilities and other school buildings to minimize use of non-sustainable materials such as concretes and plastics. Their standard is to use 99 percent natural materials in any construction projects, to recycle as many materials as possible, and to manage their waste responsibly.