Artful lodger: Capella group opens an Ubud resort designed by Bill Bensley

Among Bali-philes, Ubud has long been a by-word for lush thickets of emerald jungle, reclusive artists and an indelible sense of exotic escapism. Though the main Ubud drag is, these days, choked with traffic and unbridled urban development, the interiors still evoke a halcyon nostalgia, a quality exploited in spades by the Capella.
Comprising 22 one-bedroom tents and a two-bedroom lodge in Keliki Village, the resort is the work of the prolific Bill Bensley, the Bangkok- and Bali-based architect taking care not to disturb any extant trees in the building forest and letting the setting of rainforest, paddy fields and the tumbling Wos River dominate the tableau. The creature comforts though are thoroughly Millennial amid a moodboard of timber floorboards, copper bathtubs, outdoor deck showers, and carved folding doors.
Each tent features saltwater Jacuzzi pools, while public facilities include a 30m pool, jungle boot-camps, and a spa menu that includes sound healing and medicinal culinary treats.
100: the number of man-hours it took to make each of the hand-hammered copper bathtubs that feature in the Capella Ubud’s tented retreats
INFORMATION
ADDRESS
Jalan Raya Dalem Desa Keliki
Kecamatan Tegalalang
Ubud
Bali
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.
-
Sun-soaked European destinations to visit in spring
Dreaming of Florentine palazzos and Greek islands now that the weather is starting to turn? Check into one of these beautiful European hotels and holiday homes
By Anna Solomon
-
Inspired by the French Riviera, Été Celine heralds the arrival of summer
Celine’s new summer collection, capturing the ‘freedom and lightness’ of Saint-Tropez escapes, arrives at The Selfridges Corner Shop in a transporting pop-up
By Jack Moss
-
Seven things not to miss on your sunny escape to Palm Springs
It’s a prime time for Angelenos, and others, to head out to Palm Springs; here’s where to have fun on your getaway
By Carole Dixon
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
By Chadner Navarro
-
Martim — Wroclaw, Poland
By Daven Wu
-
Tattersalls Hotel — Armidale, Australia
By Dimity Noble
-
KLoé Hotel — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
By Jennifer Choo
-
Casa Hoyos — San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
By Daven Wu
-
Littlenap — Hangzhou, China
By Daven Wu
-
Casa Santa Teresa — Corsica, France
By Daven Wu
-
Swedish studio Claesson Koivisto Rune designs K5, a new hotel in Tokyo
Step inside Claesson Koivisto Rune’s design as a 1920s bank turns hotel
By Danielle Demetriou