Tucked away in the emerald folds of Bali’s jungle, Buahan – A Banyan Tree Escape doesn’t just promise a break from the world. It delivers a full-body exhale. About 40 minutes north of Ubud — but mentally, emotionally, spiritually... much, much further — this adults-only retreat sits quietly between rice paddies, rainforest, and a river that whispers at night.
The big idea here? No walls. No doors. Really. They call it the “Naked Experience,” and no, you’re not actually required to be naked (unless you want to be, no judgment). It just means your villa — one of 16 private balés — is wide open to the elements. You’re in the jungle, with 180-degree views of mist-draped peaks, rustling leaves, and possibly the best wake-up calls courtesy of birds and distant waterfalls.
That might sound a little wild, and it is. But it’s also wildly luxurious. Each balé is 160 square meters of private sanctuary: copper bathtub, hand-carved headboard, private pool, a gazebo, and soft, locally dyed furnishings that somehow make humidity feel chic. At night, fireflies flicker. In the morning, the sun crawls over the Seven Peaks. And the air — that warm, damp, flower-scented air — is just… different. Calmer. Older, somehow.
Sustainability isn’t just a side note here — it’s the spine of everything. Architect Gede Kresna designed the resort using reclaimed wood and traditional methods that honor local Balinese craftsmanship. The food is mostly plant-based (about 70%) and farmed within an hour’s drive. There’s a zero-waste kitchen, and yes, they’ll teach you how to cook some of it yourself if you’re into that kind of thing (you probably should be — the food’s stunning).
You can start your day with yoga in a forest clearing, paddle in the Ayung River, or just lie on your deck and listen to the world breathe. Want more? There are guided walks to hidden waterfalls, meditations in tucked-away garden nooks, cultural immersion sessions, and even DIY trails mapped by locals for curious wanderers. You’re given the space to go deep — into the forest, into culture, into your own quiet.
The Toja Spa is another secretive little jewel — tucked in a garden, inspired by ancient healing, and full of treatments you’ve probably never heard of but will now dream about forever. And yes, there’s an Escape Host. A real one. Not an app. Not a hotline. An actual person who remembers your name and maybe how you like your tea.
It’s not just a stay. It’s a full reset. A strange and beautiful kind of stillness takes over at Buahan. You’ll forget your phone. You’ll forget emails. You might even forget the date. And honestly? That’s the whole point.
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