Bali has more hotel rooms that cost more than $1,000 USD a night than any other location on Earth, and Buahan was the first place that our team reviewed with a room rate at over $1,000.
Now, “room” is rather understating the luxury bales (villas) at this gorgeous resort complex, but there’s no doubt that this is a lot of money to spend on accommodation for a single day.
So, our team had some very high expectations when they visited Buahan, which is a Banyan Tree property in Gianyar, Bali, and this is what they learned while they were there.
Our In-Depth Assessment Of Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape
We always conduct our reviews in the same fashion using the same criteria. This means you can rely on them to be consistent and easy to compare between and that the hotels, their management, staff and owners can rely on them to be fair representations of our experiences, too.
Hotel Type: Boutique
Area of Bali: Gianyar
Star Rating: 5-star
Typical Minimum Price per Night: 22,700,000 IDR per night (that’s roughly $1,360 USD or $2270 AUD), with the acknowledgement that prices can fluctuate a lot
Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, Address: Buahan Kaja, Payangan, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80572
Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, Website: Banyan Tree
Room Types: Buahan Valley Pool Bale (a Bale is a form of villa)
Facilities: Pools, Hot Tub, Terrace, Spa and Wellness Centre, Shuttle Service, Restaurant, Yoga Classes, Bicycle Rental, Cooking Classes, Cycling Tours, Private Waterfall and Hiking Tours
Our team felt that Buahan was one of the very best adults-only resorts in Bali. It should also come as no surprise that we rate it one of the best in Gianyar too.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
The only way you can run a resort without walls at this price is if your staff are all over the cleanliness and maintenance side of things.
Buahan is immaculately kept, and everything is always in good working order, too.
Sleep Quality
It’s the middle of nowhere, and you will be serenaded by the sounds of the jungle as you sleep in your lavishly appointed bed with its comfortable mattress and wonderful pillows.
We slept like we were small children on a long car journey, and it was wonderful.
Staff Attitude And Service Culture
We would expect nothing less than some of the most amazing staff on the island, and we weren’t disappointed.
The natural friendliness and warmth of the locals here is married to exceptional levels of competence and professionalism.
Check-in/Check-out Experience
It’s a small resort, and they certainly don’t need to put any real effort into improving what is a fairly smooth check-in process.
It just doesn’t have the same “wow factor” as a ridiculously efficient big resort’s check-in or check-out processes.
Bathroom Quality & Functionality
The bathrooms are wonderful, with plenty of space, excellent water pressure, solid toiletries and snug, warm towels that make you feel great when you dry off.
Value For Money
It’s over $1,000 a night, and while we agree that this place is value for money given its unique nature and emphasis on service and quality at every turn, we’d still be hard pushed to see it as exceptional value for money. It’s fine, though.
Food And Beverage Execution
We know that plant-based eating is trendy in Bali, but honestly, we wish that the menus weren’t always so plant-focused. While there is a mix of choices on the menu here, we’d still like more options that lean into our way of eating.
But overall, the food is very good, it’s fresh, the ingredients are local, and the chefs are seriously talented.
Location & Immediate Surroundings
This is a stunning location, but it is away from much of the island because it wouldn’t offer this level of serenity and tranquillity if it weren’t.
But that means you do need to travel a bit if you want to do anything outside this resort. Make sure to arrange transportation in advance or bring your own.
Facilities & Amenities Vs Promise
Everything that this resort advertises is provided, and it’s all to a very high standard. But we can’t help but feel there could be a bit more to do given the out of the way location.
Overall “Personality”
Whatever minor criticisms that we lay at the feet of Buahan, there’s no getting away from the fact that this place is packed with personality.
Its position in the jungle with no walls in the rooms means that you have a truly unique and unforgettable experience in store for you if you stay here.
Summary: Our Overview Of Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape
It’s probably not for everyone, but if you’re into truly getting in touch with nature while enjoying all the finer things in life, Buahan is probably for you.
Sure, it’s expensive, but it is unique, and when will you ever be able to say you had access to your own private waterfall again?
Grading: Excellent/Highly Recommended
You might also want to check our Hoshinoya Bali and Hotel Komune as they’re also in Gianyar.
FAQs
Is Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, Family Friendly?
No, Buahan is not a family-friendly resort. It’s very much an adults-only retreat from the world, and the “no walls” concept is not likely to work very well with children.
The good news is that most hotels in Bali are family-friendly, so if you’re travelling with little ones, you’re bound to find somewhere ideal for your needs.
Final Thoughts On Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape
The without-walls nature of Buahan takes some getting used to, but there’s no doubt that it leads to some stunning views and a very different way of communing with nature while you’re on your holiday.
Just be aware that if you’re bug-phobic, the absence of walls can lead to the occasional close encounter with the local wildlife, none of it’s dangerous, but it might freak some people out.
Overall, Buahan is a very different experience, and while we had a great time here, we’re not sure we’d rush back given the very hefty price tag.
