Nestled in the heart of the Balinese jungle in northern Ubud, Buahan, Banyan Tree Escape is a picture-perfect getaway exclusively for adults seeking to fully detach from the outside world and voluntarily surrender to the forces of nature.

Every morning when I wake up, I visualise something. Most days, my apartment bedroom’s four walls and harsh concrete greet me when I wake up, but occasionally, something strange happens—a mosquito veil covers my bed and allows unrestricted natural light to stream in. 

These initial moments felt off, if not downright inconsistent with my drum’s typical beat. The air feels different, undoubtedly thinner yet surprisingly clean. And pulling back the curtains shows why: I’m completely submerged in the beautiful green of the Balinese rainforest, with no discernible barrier separating me from it. 

Banyan Tree Escape, Buahan, stands like a prized secret in the wild. I have a sneaking hunch about how high up we might be from the upward drive into Buahan, which I was able to immediately confirm as we get off the vehicle. The resort is expansive, taking up a sizable area of reclaimed land in northern Ubud. The rocky terrain meanders downward from the point where we’ve left behind our final vestige of urban life, leading to a central Living Room and Open Kitchen area that is nearly identical to the main check-in lobby of other hotels and resorts. 

The deliberate decision to forgo obvious counter or employee boundaries in favour of an open concept of “no walls and no doors” in the living and leisure areas invites you to partake in the splendour of the Buahan family. Their peaceful, unassuming presence blends into the background, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery that looms before you. They linger around like native forest inhabitants.