On the Indonesian island of Bali, Ubud is a town that serves as an arts and cultural center for the island. It's also a tourism hub that calls to mind images of rice terraces, beautiful beaches, and enchanting temple ceremonies. A visitor favorite, Ubud is home to popular music and dance shows, Balinese cultural activities, spas, and exotic resorts - one of which is the Bambu Indah. Founded in 2005 when owners John and Cynthia Hardy brought eleven antique Javanese bridal homes to Bali, Bambu Indah is one of Ubud's finest resorts, offering the charm and history of Indonesia with the luxurious comfort of a boutique hotel. Bambu Indah combines together the best of antique architecture and design with modern sustainability. Stroll along the flat stone paths through rice paddies before taking a swim in fresh pool of water. Then, visit the Bambu Indah spa for a traditional Balinese massage before retiring to one of the Javanese teak wood houses on the property. Each served as a bridal house for a Javanese nobleman and provides exceptional comfort in lovingly restored and luxurious furnishings.
The Udang House, for example, is one of the most unique vacation homes in Bali. Situated above a fresh shrimp pond, this Bambu Indah favorite showcases a tempered glass floor not unlike the one we saw on Patrick Blanc's home office. Relax and watch the shrimp swim in the comfort of your house - a once in a lifetime experience. This bedroom shot intrigued us so much that we ended up looking for the photographer behind it. We were not disappointed. Check out the making of this scene in the video featured at the end of the article.
Other properties throughout Bambu Indah have features like glass tiled roofing, lavish Moroccan rugs, Indonesian fabrics, Burmese lacquerware, antiques, four poster beds, porches for lounging and meditation, or a private bale for dining.
In several of the properties, indoor/outdoor showers allow you to commune with nature. Natural features like bambu, smoothed river stones, and century old teak are worked in elegantly. Abundant greenery surrounds the homes - it's truly a sight to behold.
Bambu Inda is an incredible escape for the traveler seeking solitude and peace. Perhaps a writer, working on a novel, or a thinker, needing a place for reflection. For those who love nature, it's a spiritual experience. For couples, it's an ideal honeymoon destination or romantic getaway. Families too will fall in love with this gem in Ubud.
“Shooting the glass-floored Shrimp House was a first on many fronts. First time wrangling fish on an interior shoot. And first time kicking out Cameron Diaz. (She was upgraded.)”
Photography: DjunaPix Hat tip: BlessThisStuff
