A SLICE OF VILLAGE LIFE AT ANDAZ BALI

There are only a handful of places in Bali where one can still feel the authentic Balinese vibe – unhurried, welcoming, lush – and Sanur is one of them. A seaside town known for its sunrise and beaches, Sanur has attracted individuals who celebrate their personal style, from David Bowie and Mick Jagger to Yoko Ono. The latest addition to Sanur’s five-star hotel Andaz Bali will highlight the charms of Sanur and Bali through its design, architecture and guest experiences. Opening in April 2021, the hotel is among the few Andaz resorts in the world and the first resort in Asia.

Meaning ‘personal style ’in Hindi, each of the 23 Andaz properties in the world carries its own signature inspired by the neighborhood, from locally inspired scents, unique dishes and drinks to eclectic art displays.

Andaz Bali does a modern take on the village of Sanur, thoughtfully weaving the traditional elements with contemporary touches. The rooms, suites and villas are spread in low-rise clusters with a hidden courtyard and ponds. A village square doubles as a communal space where guests can mingle with local creative thinkers. There are four dynamic dining venues to choose from, where the chefs will be cooking classic favourites while adding a new twist.

In keeping with the traditional Balinese village feel, architect Martin Palleros worked with materials naturally used and found in the area such as red bricks and woven bamboo. The Bangkok-based architect spent a decade understanding and researching Balinese architecture and culture, spending time in noted temples and villages around Bali from Batuan and Batubulan to Penglipuran.

For the interior design company SPIN Design Tokyo, the abundance of natural materials in Indonesia allows them to introduce local materials in unique ways. “Instead of working with marble from abroad, we choose to highlight the uniqueness of marble from Bandung, with its signature light brown zig-zag pattern and irregular white spots,” said Akari Ito, founder of SPIN Design. Furthermore, Mr. Ito and his team are keen to showcase new ways of using traditional materials. Pandan leaves, typically used for mats and baskets, are used in drawer panels. Batik, traditionally used in clothing, is featured in bed headboards.