Nirjhara Hotel

Bali, Indonesia

An enclave of quiet, off-the-tourist-trail luxury made manifest on INDONESIA’S Island of the Gods, this boutique stay blurs the parameters of tropical nature and nurture with design-led aplomb.

The tropical island of Bali certainly doesn’t fall short when it comes to offering a luxury bed for the night. But it’s the crop of unique – and more budget- friendly – design-driven hideaways emerging slowly but surely over the past few years that are piquing the interest of modern travellers. Across the island, boutique hoteliers are seemingly looking back to look forward, with idiosyncratic, contemporary escapes that draw on the reverence for craftsmanship the artistic isle is historically known for taking the lead in this modern renaissance.

Enter Nirjhara, a nature-first, sustainably minded retreat pitched between rainforest, rice paddies and the volcanic coast at Tabanan, an unsung swathe north of Canggu that is considered the island’s ‘green belt’. The property – the name of which is pulled from the Sanskrit for ‘waterfall’, in a nod to the surrounds – is the brainchild of the Tran Tien family, who saw it come to fruition in 2021, some 25 years after it was first conceived.

Constructed to make as little impact on the environment as possible, architecture is characterised by reclaimed hevea wood, natural stone and sirap roofing. Across the 25 serene suites – seven of them enveloped loftily in the treetop canopy, complete with rooftop tubs, and many with their own pool – expect low-key luxury. Earthy hues drive the aesthetic, with coconut panelling, carved wood, traditional woven furniture and art from island up-and-comers all emblematic. By day, a six-cabin sailing yacht is on hand for private charter, whisking guests to remote corners of the archipelago; you could take a bike ride through the paddies, or ask the hotel to organise anything from surf lessons and sunset horse rides along the beach to visits to sacred temples or ceramics classes. Or you could simply embrace halcyon hours by the pool or at a spa fuelled by ancient healing and holistic practices.

Heroing a slow-food ethos, 95 per cent of the ingredients that drive the modern Indonesian-leaning menu at Ambu are from the hotel’s own gardens – neighbouring farms supplement the rest. Enveloped by lush rice-field views, it’s a gloriously breezy spot to toast a choice well made.

Words by Blossom Green

Suites from £200. 00 62 361 209 5333 , https://nirjhara.com/