Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape: Sleeping Without Walls Above the Ayung Valley

Among all the luxury hotels around Ubud, Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape is the boldest. The resort sits in Buahan village, Payangan, Gianyar, roughly 30–40 minutes north of central Ubud, and lives by one extreme philosophy: no walls, no doors. There really are no walls and no doors — just 16 open-air bales facing straight out over the Ayung River valley and Bali’s ridge of peaks.

Wall-Free Bales That Are Still Private

Every bale has its own private pool and a near 180-degree panorama. Privacy comes not from masonry but from distance: the bales are spaced far apart on the slope and wrapped in forest, with canvas curtains you can drop when you want them. This is what the resort calls the naked experience — the morning mist rising from the valley simply drifts into your bedroom.

Dining, Spa and Activities

• The signature restaurant, The Open Kitchen, serves a farm-to-table menu with a low-waste approach and largely local produce, some of it grown on the property.
• Toja Spa is an open bamboo pavilion at the bottom of the ravine, accompanied by the sound of the Ayung River.
• Activities include village treks, Balinese blessing rituals, yoga in the bamboo pavilion and gardening sessions.
• It is adults-only (18 and over), so the mood stays calm — ideal for honeymoons and anniversaries.

Rates and Getting There

This is the ultra-luxury tier. Nightly rates sit in the range of low tens of millions of rupiah and are heavily season-dependent, varying with the bale type and the inclusions package; July–August and the year-end holidays are the priciest. Allow 1.5–2 hours by car from Ngurah Rai Airport, and around 30–40 minutes from central Ubud along a winding uphill road.

Practical Info & Reservations

• Location: Buahan, Payangan, Gianyar, Bali — View on Google Maps
• Reservation: compare & book a stay voucher on AccessiaPass, or book directly through the official Banyan Tree website.
• Rates: ultra-luxury and season-dependent; ask which meals are included before you commit.
• Note: guests aged 18 and above only.
• Instagram: search on Instagram

If you are planning a once-in-a-lifetime staycation north of Ubud, compare the stay voucher options on AccessiaPass first, before someone else takes your preferred dates.