Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape
There are places in Bali where the scenery is beautiful, and then there are places where the scenery becomes the experience itself. Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape belongs firmly in the second category. Hidden in the lush highlands north of Ubud, this adults-only retreat is surrounded by jungle, rice terraces and distant mountains, offering a very different experience from the busy beach resorts and popular tourist areas elsewhere on the island.
The first impression is one of space and privacy. Buahan has been designed with an unusual open-air concept, allowing guests to feel deeply connected to the surrounding landscape. Rather than building a conventional luxury resort that separates guests from nature, the property makes nature part of almost everything you do. The jungle is visible, audible and present throughout the stay, creating a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere.
One of the resort’s most memorable features is its accommodation. The villas are designed around the idea of living in harmony with the environment, with open spaces, natural materials and impressive views. There are no conventional walls separating guests from the tropical surroundings in many areas, and the result is a feeling of sleeping in the middle of the jungle rather than simply looking at it through a hotel window.
Privacy is another major strength. Buahan is deliberately small, which gives the resort an intimate character that is difficult to achieve at larger properties. It is the kind of place where you can spend much of the day without seeing many other guests. For couples looking for somewhere peaceful and secluded, that can be a huge part of the appeal.
The setting is particularly impressive in the early morning. As the jungle begins to wake up, mist often hangs over the surrounding hills, while birds provide the soundtrack. Sitting outside with breakfast or a morning coffee and watching the landscape change is one of those simple travel moments that can be more memorable than any organised excursion.
Wellness is naturally central to the Buahan experience. The resort offers treatments and activities designed around relaxation and reconnecting with the natural surroundings. Yoga, meditation and spa experiences fit particularly well here because the environment itself encourages you to slow down. There is little reason to rush from one activity to another.
Food is another important part of the experience. Rather than treating dining as something separate from the destination, Buahan places emphasis on fresh ingredients and the flavours of Bali. Meals can feel personal and relaxed, particularly when enjoyed outdoors with the jungle surrounding you. The emphasis is less on formality and more on enjoying good food in an extraordinary setting.
The resort also provides opportunities to explore the area around it. While it would be easy to spend an entire stay inside the property, the surrounding landscape offers a glimpse of a quieter side of Bali. Walks through the countryside and encounters with local communities provide a useful contrast to the tranquillity of the resort itself.
Perhaps the greatest luxury at Buahan is not something that can be found on a facilities list. It is the opportunity to disconnect. There is a sense that the resort has been designed for people who want to hear the sounds of nature, spend time outdoors and escape the pace of everyday life. You can read a book, swim, enjoy a treatment or simply sit and look at the landscape without feeling that you should be doing something else.
This is also what makes Buahan different from many of Bali’s famous luxury hotels. It does not try to compete through sheer size or an enormous collection of restaurants and facilities. Instead, its appeal comes from atmosphere, design, privacy and location. Everything feels deliberately restrained, allowing the surrounding landscape to take centre stage.
For travellers who have already experienced Bali’s beaches, temples and busy tourist centres, Buahan offers something completely different. It is a place to slow down and experience the island at a more intimate pace. The combination of jungle, mountains, thoughtful design and genuine seclusion makes it one of those resorts where the setting becomes almost as important as the room itself.
Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape is ultimately less about checking things off a list and more about enjoying a particular feeling. If your idea of a memorable luxury stay involves waking up surrounded by t ropical greenery, spending the day in beautiful natural surroundings and ending it in complete tranquillity, this secluded corner of Bali is difficult to beat.
