If Bali’s southern coast is the life of the party, Ubud is the chic host who knows all the best secrets. Swap beach clubs for bamboo groves, cocktails for sacred spring water and traffic for winding roads that disappear into emerald rice terraces. Wrapped in jungle, dotted with centuries-old temples and rich with Balinese culture, Ubud offers a slower, soulful side of the island. It’s where honeymooners come to reset and reconnect. Frankly, skipping Ubud on a Bali itinerary is a bit like visiting Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Quite simply, no journey to the Island of the Gods is complete without experiencing its lush highlands.
With more than 4,300 hotels scattered across Bali, finding one that stands apart can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Hidden deep within the northern jungles of Ubud, Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape offers something completely different. Its pioneering “No Walls, No Doors” philosophy creates what the resort calls a “naked experience”, dissolving every barrier between guests and nature and preserving complete privacy. Designed exclusively for adults, it’s an idyllic sanctuary for honeymooners seeking romance, tranquillity and a connection with Bali’s breathtaking beauty.
The journey there
Perched in the village of Buahan, around 40-45 minutes from central Ubud and about two hours from Ngurah Rai International Airport, the resort is away from the crowds. If you’re flying from London, you can easily reach Bali via one-stop flights before continuing by private transfer into the island’s lush interior. Set 700 metres above sea level on a 12-acre estate, the retreat overlooks Bali’s legendary seven mountain peaks, while a sacred waterfall and natural spring weave through the landscape. The journey, too, becomes part of the experience as busy roads gradually give way to winding lanes flanked by rice paddies, tropical forests and traditional villages. Suddenly, the landscape opens to reveal the Ayung River valley, with the resort that appears to be floating above the jungle canopy. Despite its secluded setting, Buahan remains an excellent base for day trips into Ubud’s galleries, temples and markets before retreating to serenity.
Framed by forests
Buahan is unlike any luxury resort in Bali. It celebrates regenerative design, which took 21 years to complete. Every structure is inspired by the traditional Balinese banjar, the communal pavilion where villagers gather. Repurposed Ulin ironwood salvaged from old Kalimantan boat jetties sits alongside hand-carved local woodwork, woven ikat textiles, rattan accents and handcrafted copper bathtubs from Central Java. Even the construction respected the landscape, with minimal heavy machinery used to preserve the surrounding jungle. The architecture appears to “disappear” into its surroundings, allowing uninterrupted views of rainforest, waterfalls and distant volcanoes. Visit between April and August, outside the monsoon season, and you’ll enjoy crisp mountain mornings, clear skies and spectacular sunsets.
Your private jungle sanctuary
Accommodation is limited to just 16 open-air bales, making exclusivity one of Buahan’s greatest luxuries. Each 1,775sqft bale is designed as a contemporary interpretation of a traditional Balinese home, where sleeping, bathing and lounging merge into one open-air sanctuary. Every villa is designed without walls or doors, with only flowing gauze drapes separating your king-sized bed from the jungle beyond. Yet dense foliage ensures complete privacy, allowing you to immerse yourself into nature. Spacious decks flow into private pools, traditional bale bengong day pavilions and handcrafted copper bathtubs overlooking the valley. The interiors blend reclaimed wood with earthy textiles and artisanal décor.
Every villa comes with a dedicated private butler who curates every detail, from unpacking luggage to arranging surprise dinners. Four villas face the sunset. We suggest booking Villa 12 with heated private pool for your special occasion. Waking to birdsong instead of an alarm clock and falling asleep to the sound of rustling palms will become your most unforgettable luxury.
Love letter to local flavours
Your meals begin long before they reach your plate. The resort’s Wild-to-Table philosophy starts in its organic farm and nearby villages, where ingredients are foraged, harvested and sourced. At the heart of the experience is the communal Open Kitchen, where you can watch chefs at work, join cooking classes or even learn to make traditional jamu, Bali’s centuries-old herbal tonic. Around 70% of the menu is plant-based, celebrating seasonal produce and indigenous ingredients through beautifully plated dishes rooted in Balinese culinary traditions.
Then there’s The Botanist Bar that transforms locally grown herbs, wild botanicals and tropical fruits into inventive cocktails, fermented kombuchas and jungle-inspired infusions. Each sunset aperitif you sip will make you feel even more connected to your surrounding landscape. You can also elevate the romance with destination dining experiences, be it under the stars or amid the jungle.
Balinese healing
Wellness takes on an entirely different meaning at Toja Spa, whose name translates as water. Rather than shutting you indoors, treatment pavilions remain open to the sounds of the flowing river and rainforest. Inspired by ancient healing traditions from Buahan village, the spa combines Banyan Tree’s renowned therapies with indigenous rituals performed by highly trained therapists. The treatment menu blends award-winning spa rituals with locally crafted botanical oils, herbal compresses, traditional Balinese massage techniques and restorative bathing rituals. We suggest you book the dedicated couples’ spa pavilions, which will make the experience even more memorable with sounds of birdsong, flowing water and the jungle for company.
The little luxuries
What sets Buahan apart are the moments between the obvious luxuries. Even the pools are filled with natural spring water instead of chlorine, protecting the surrounding wildlife and your skin. Across the resort, sustainability is embedded, from zero-waste kitchens that transform food scraps into ferments and kombuchas to pathways built around the existing terrain.
Service is remarkably warm and personal, with dedicated staff members who begin to feel like extended family. Don’t forget to indulge in their thoughtfully curated complimentary experiences, from sunrise Surya yoga, moon meditation and cycling through villages to crafting herbal scrubs, foraging alongside the chef and visiting the resort’s firefly nursery where fragile bioluminescent creatures thrive. You can also seek blessings at sacred waterfalls, meet respected Balinese healers, learn about ancient farming traditions or simply spend an afternoon doing absolutely nothing.
Why honeymooners will love it
Whether your honeymoon is centred around adventure, wellness, gastronomy or switching off from the outside world, Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape delivers. This isn’t the Bali of infinity pools and beach clubs, but of sacred rivers, forests and ancient traditions. Long after you’ve checked out, it’s the sounds of birdsong, rustling palms and flowing water that you’ll remember most.
For more information:
Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape
www.BanyanTree.com
