HOSHINOYA Bali

The famed HOSHINOYA Brands’ first debut outside Japan brings guests at one with nature in the midst of Pakerisan Valley.

Location

Situated about 30 minutes away from Ubud City by car, HOSHINOYA Bali is set in the lush Pakerisan Valley with age-old canals of the valley running through it, providing a soothing backdrop of gushing waters as you meander your way via the wooden boardwalk around the property. While you may not be able to see the Pakerisan River that the property overlooks, no doubt you will hear it. To get to Ubud city and back, catch the hotel’s two-hourly free shuttle service to and from Museum Puri Lukisan.

Style & character

HOSHINOYA Bali marries the beauty of Hindu-influenced ancient Balinese architecture with the minimalist Japanese aesthetics the luxury hotel chain is known for, plus heaps and heaps of nature. As guests step through the imposing paduraksa, a gate covered with a towering roof bearing intricate carvings, they are greeted by a trio of bales (thatched roof pavillions), one of which houses the hotel reception. From here, you walk on well-manicured footpaths and an undulating series of wooden boardwalks to get to your destination.

Service and facilities

There is no gym here. Instead, there are generous spaces connected to the boardwalk for morning or evening yoga. A minimalist library with a collection of coffee table Bali guidebooks is tucked away at a corner of the resort. The three-treatment room spa, while small, offers unbridled pleasure. Accessed via a short tram-like lift ride down the valley, you are offered a cup of jamu (local herbal drink) before the commencement of your treatment (try the therapeutic 1.5 hours Balinese massage). As a whole, service by the Japanese and Balinese-staffed team is warm, polite and personable.

Rooms

There are 30 thatched-roof villas in HOSHINOYA Bali in three categories of Soka, Bulan and Jalak. The entry level Bulan (187 sqm) offers a combined bedroom and study in a minimalist space that takes just two guests (they can accomodate a third guest on an extra mattress but the room will be tight). If you want added space, book Soka (good for 2 guests but possible for 4 guests with extra beds) or Jalak (max 3 guests), both offer separate living and sleeping quarters; the former comes with split levels with the bedroom tucked above while the latter is laid out over a single floor. Bathrooms are generously sized with separate basins for him and her and a separate water closet stall with a top-end Japanese toilet bowl with heated seat. All rooms, which are decked out in lots of wood and minimalist Japanese aesthetics, come with a spacious outdoor thatched roof bale (pavilion) for you to while away your time. Every villa also has direct access to one of the property’s three interconnected canal pools.

Food & drinks

The Dining room

There are only two food & drinks establishments here. The Dining room is the defacto spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At breakfast, it serves a choice of American, Indonesian or Japanese sets as well as an a la carte menu. Given that a Japanese chef is at the helm, it makes sense to go Japanese for breakfast (expect grilled fish with rice or porridge, onsen egg, miso soup and condiments), although we hear the Indonesian set of bubur ayam with yellow Balinese soup is a standout. At dinner, the Dining room also serves a contemporary Balinese tasting menu featuring dishes like soto ayam, chawanmushi with dessicated coconut and wagyu in kecap manis. For a change, Cafe Gazebo serves a rattan picnic breakfast of terang bulan (Indonesisn pancake with black glutinous rice and dessicated coconut) with fresh fruits, salad and drip coffee. Even if you can’t be here for breakfast (7 to 11am), come for coffee, tea or just snacks as it is opened till 8pm. It’s one of the highlights of this property.

Prices

HOSHINOYA Bali room rates start from IDR 5,940,000 per room per night (excluding tax and service charge). The Japanese and Indonesian breakfast sets cost IDR 350,000 per person (excludes tax and 10% service charge).

Br. Pengembungan, Desa Pejeng Kangin
Kecamatan Tampaksiring, Gianyar 80552 Bali, Indonesia; +62-361-849 3080; hoshinoya.com/bali/en/

© Evelyn Chen 2013

Please note that the reviews published on this blog are sometimes hosted. I am under no obligation to review every restaurant I’ve visited. If I do, the reviews are 100% my own.