Tanah Gajah

Situated just outside of Ubud in Bali with a backdrop of Mount Agung, Tanah Gajah unfolds across six hectares of working rice fields in the district’s calming countryside. This family-owned retreat is the former estate of celebrated art collector, Hendra Hadiprana. Today art remains the very soul of Tanah Gajah, which is deeply intertwined with Indonesia’s rich heritage. Upon your arrival, elephant statues catch your gaze – a nod to the sacred temple of Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) nearby. Elaborate sculptures emerge from the lush gardens, while original Balinese paintings grace the hotel’s interiors. 

Balinese culture is the heartbeat of Tanah Gajah. In a hands-on cooking class, learn about local dining rituals. Then master sate lilit – finely minced fish or meat wrapped around fragrant lemongrass skewers. A guided walk through the surrounding paddies reveals the techniques used in traditional rice cultivation. Watch farmers tend the fields and spot native birds amidst the stalks. As night falls, the amphitheatre onsite hosts fiery kecak performances, an expression of Balinese Hindu spirituality. 

The Tempayan restaurant draws on traditional recipes as well as classic Western fare. Beneath its thatched roof, plates brim with rice harvested steps from your table and ingredients grown in the hotel’s organic garden. As you dine, emerald paddies unfold in every direction. At the edge of this sea of green lies the spa. Bali’s healing traditions guide its wellness offerings which span revitalising massages, herbal bath rituals, chakra balancing and more.

Tanah Gajah’s suites and villas are scattered across the hotel’s peaceful grounds. They each celebrate Indonesian heritage while embracing a contemporary aesthetic. Every villa opens onto its own outdoor pool, placing you at eye-level with the rows of rice ahead. For total privacy, the Hadiprana estate offers seclusion between tropical gardens. This was Hendra Hadiprana’s master accommodation, decorated with his finest paintings and personal antiques.