Bambu Indah is celebrated as one of Ubud’s most stunning sunset spots, but what many people do not realise is that their Day Pass offers access to an extraordinary collection of pools and experiences unlikely to be found anywhere else in Bali. My adventure began with a magical walk across stepping stones to a hobbit-like, circular door that led to a unique portal.
I stepped into a bamboo elevator, the only one of its kind in the world. An attendant operated the buttons as I descended what felt like a magical rabbit hole, a vertical tower carved into a rock face. Delicate crystals etched into the walls and soft lamps illuminated the way, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Gazing up at the bamboo ceiling felt ethereal, and soon I emerged from the cage-like elevator.
view from the sky
This was where my nature journey truly began. I crossed a gentle, free-flowing river and stepped onto a sweeping bamboo bridge. Tall cathedral-like bamboo towers greeted me, guiding me along a small garden path to a spiral staircase. If I did not feel like Alice in Wonderland by then, I never would. I found myself completely swept up in the magic, practically skipping with delight.
The spiral staircase was another wondrous ecological invitation. As I heard the mighty Ayung River calling below, but nothing prepared me for what came next. My first glimpse of the series of natural spring-fed pools confirmed that I had arrived somewhere truly special.
Every detail in this peaceful, eco-conscious jungle oasis seemed thoughtfully designed to invite rest and renewal. I headed straight for the bamboo swinging love seat beside the river, savouring the moment and melting into tranquillity. The gracious staff asked where I would like to have lunch and escorted me to my choice of umbrella-shaded loungers, bean bag chill-out spots, or one of the many cozy nooks tucked throughout the property. I landed in a bean bag chair placed directly in front of a hot-tub sized pool fed by spring water. I considered it a private pool just for me!
Sliding into the soft, spring-fed cool water with the gentle rumble of the Ayung River providing a soothing backdrop. I dropped into a state of bliss. Waterfalls cascading through jungle fronds and hanging palms surrounded me – a tropical paradise. I spotted inviting rocks perfect for sunning myself, although I was not sure I could ever persuade myself to leave my comfortable forest-green beanbag or my “private” pool.
Next came lunch, a healthy menu with an artisanal twist. The banana-leaf-steamed herbal fish dish was divine, accompanied by a sensational avocado three-dip platter. The nourishing energy drinks looked tempting, but I chose coconut water fresh from the tree. What impressed me most was that many of the ingredients were grown only a few feet from the restaurant adjacent to the rice fields. I spotted arugula, lettuce, dandelion, bitter gourd, and okra, and there are even mushrooms cultivated on site. This was genuine farm-to-table dining.
Perhaps my greatest discovery was the large 4-person round bamboo basket that transports guests across the river. Relaxing in the lounge-like cage while a simple pulley system glided me gently above the water was an experience in itself. I lingered there longer than necessary, enjoying the novelty of floating above the river with a cool drink in hand and nowhere else to be.
Equally fascinating were the wooden signs pointing toward the mud bath and sauna. Curiosity led me across a long, stable bamboo suspension bridge spanning the Ayung River, where I discovered a sauna, ice bath, copper hot water baths, and the renowned mineral-rich mud bath. Open-air showers completed the experience. It was unlike any spa facility I had encountered before and its totally outdoors, with no music necessary, as birdsong and nature fill your senses.
As I explored, I became increasingly curious about who had imagined and created such a remarkable place. The answer is John Hardy, a true visionary who pioneered sustainable design, redefined education through the Green School and blended innovation with environmental responsibility through a deep connection to nature.
Hardy moved from Canada to Bali in 1975 and built the acclaimed international artisan jewellery brand, John Hardy. Together with his wife Cynthia, he founded Green School Bali in 2008, demonstrating that a school and full size gymnasium could be constructed from bamboo and other renewable materials while inspiring students to become changemakers.
By the end of the day, I realised that Bambu Indah is far more than a hotel or a collection of beautiful pools. It is a living example of how tourism and nature can coexist in harmony. I left feeling restored, inspired, and grateful to have discovered a place where imagination, sustainability, and beauty come together so effortlessly.
Stephanie Brookes
www.bambuindah.com
