4 May 2017


BISMA EIGHT BALI

My first time in Ubud was in 2002 when I was backpacking through Australia and Asia. Ubud was a small town by then. I remember seeing a Balinese dance, visiting the rice fields and taking pictures of the monkeys in Monkey Forest. A lot has changed since then. When I’m in the taxi driving through the center I can’t help but think of Eat, Pray, Love, the bestseller by Elizabeth Gilbert. Ubud is now the capital of soul seekers in Bali with yoga studios and retreats everywhere. All though you see that it changed commercially, you still feel that Ubud has that magical combination kindness, self-help and energy that attracts people all over the world to visit. And of all the places you can stay I’m sure you will love Bisma Eight, a small gem close to all the attractions, but in a serene, quiet environment. Let’s explore!

 

Spiritual welcome
The design of Bisma Eight, named after the street, is a long, deep stretch of heaven with the reception at the start and the infinity pool at the end. When you enter the hotel tension starts to drop off your shoulders immediately. The staff gives you a welcome drink and let you bring an offer to their big Ganesha in the lobby. In my yoga retreat I’ve learned to give love to myself, others and the Universe when offering so by doing this when entering a hotel I think you start you stay with a good intention. My spiritual eyes changed quickly in my design eyes when I looked around: there’s a smart looking coffee cafe on the left and when we walk forward there’s a big stretch of lush greenery in the middle with rooms next to it on only two floors.

 

Suites
There are only 38 suites. All so spacious that the term room isn’t suitable. There are Garden Suites on the ground floor, Canopy Suites on the second floor (the suite I stayed at) and Forest Suites with a sweeping view over the forests. The part of me that loves design was screaming ‘yes!’ by seeing the spacious living room with the most comfortable sofa ever, the bed with red plaid and the beautiful locally made sliding doors in between the living room and the the bedroom and the bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom is as spacious as the other parts of the suite: with a shower, toilet, boudoir and a fantastic Japanese inspired bath tub. The spiritual part of me loved the fact that there was a sign above the door to bless the people who stay there.

 

Restaurant
When you walk even more towards the jungle you will find the infinity pool and the pool cafe with stunning views over the forest. I wish I had more time here because it would be so nice to just read a book all day (Elizabeth Gilbert just wrote a new one called ‘Eat Pray Love Made me Do It’) while ordering juices and delicious food. Food is another big part of Bisma Eight. When you walk towards Monkey Forest (a 10-minute walk) you will pass their garden. Almost everything they make in the restaurant called Copper Kitchen & Bar comes from their organic garden. And the food was so good! I will tell you all about my experience at the restaurant in an apart post on my website, but don’t leave Ubud without eating here. They also invite other famous chefs to cook here. In May for example Yannis Janssens of l’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Bangkok.

 

Yoga
There’s also a speakeasy bar with a stunning design and of course you can join the yoga classes in the morning. As it was raining when I was there we did the yoga inside, but there’s also a beautiful yoga terrace. Then the location: super central and easy. You can walk towards the center and Monkey Forest (if you like to visit because it’s basically over-eaten gangster monkeys looking for food, cameras and sunglasses) but on Monkey Forest Road you can find some great shops and restaurants. Like Folk, by the same owners as Bisma Eight, a cool cafe for lunch and juices.

 

Check out: www.bismaeight.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My trip is sponsored by Cathay Pacific.

 

Cathay Pacific flies on a daily base via Hong Kong to almost 200 destinations in Asia and Australia from 595 euros (from Amsterdam to Hong Kong) and from 1030 euros (from Amsterdam to Melbourne). Check out their latest tool called Cathay Fly & Stay so you can book your flight(s) and hotel(s) together.

 

Visit us

Jl. Bisma No.68, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

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