Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape

Character and identity

Set on a hillside above the Ayung River, half an hour north of Ubud, Buahan is a 14-villa hideaway built on a "no walls, no doors" premise. Each balé is an open-sided pavilion of reclaimed ironwood and shingled roofs, with gauzy curtains for privacy, a plunge pool, and a copper soaking tub. The Open Kitchen, helmed by Eka Sunarya, runs a plant-forward, hyper-local Balinese menu. Toja Spa occupies open-air bamboo pavilions over the river. Service is warm and personal, with staff who function as cultural guides rather than uniformed crew.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The whole proposition rests on the open-air balés: if sleeping with only a curtain between you and the valley sounds magical rather than alarming, this is one of Bali's most distinctive stays. Book villa 12 for the seven-peak view, plan for transfers into Ubud if you want sightseeing, and pack repellent.