A Quick Course in Ubud Style from Bisma Eight Hotel

The Indonesian city of Ubud, made famous by the wildly-popular novel and subsequent film Eat Pray Love, is nestled amongst greenery and set against an unforgettable vista. Mountainous rice fields, playful monkeys and winding florals flourish here in the cultural center of Bali. The natural wonders aren’t the only thing about the destination that’ll catch your eye, though. Accommodations like Bisma Eight, a boutique hotel smack dab in the center of it all, prove even the manmade elements of Ubud are spectacular. Winding vines inch through its concrete walls and the great Balinese icon Lord Ganesh sits at the entrance, ushering guests inside to take a kite-making class, learn yoga or simply relax.

The accommodations and grounds of Bisma Eight knocked our socks so far off, we couldn’t resist getting more background on its design. As it turns out, when Arte Architect Associates, FUUR and SHL Asia crafted the hotel, they fused modern amenities with traditional Ubud design. Curious to find out what this Ubud style was, we asked the hotel’s Director Tarun Melwani to shed some light on the subject. Luckily for us, today he’s generously sharing some insights into the ancient style. It sounds like class is in session, so put your phones on silent, grab a pen and get ready for a bad case of wanderlust. Enjoy! —Garrett

Photography courtesy of Bisma Eight