You’ve seen the photo. Even if you don’t think you have, you definitely have. It’s that split-level infinity pool, suspended over a dense, prehistoric-looking jungle, where the water seems to just drop off into the abyss of the Ayung River valley. Most people call it the "world’s best pool." Honestly, though? The hanging gardens resort bali indonesia is way more than just a backdrop for an Instagram post that’ll get you 500 likes. It’s actually a bit of an engineering miracle that shouldn’t really exist where it does.
Building a luxury resort on a 45-degree jungle slope is objectively a terrible idea from a logistics standpoint. But they did it anyway.
The Reality of Staying at Hanging Gardens Resort Bali Indonesia
Let’s be real for a second: Bali has a massive over-tourism problem in certain pockets. You go to Canggu and it feels like a traffic jam in Los Angeles but with more scooters and organic smoothie bowls. Ubud—the cultural heart—has suffered a similar fate. But once you drive about 30 minutes north of Ubud's center, past the Payangan village markets and into the actual deep green, things change.
The hanging gardens resort bali indonesia sits in a spot where the humidity hits you like a warm blanket and the sound of cicadas is basically a constant roar. It’s loud. Not city loud, but "nature is trying to reclaim this building" loud.
The resort consists of 44 private villas. Each one has its own infinity pool. That’s the thing people miss—you don't actually have to share the famous big pool to get that "floating" feeling. The architecture uses a lot of traditional Alang-Alang thatched roofing and local stone, which helps it blend in, but let's not kid ourselves: it’s a high-end footprint in a sensitive ecosystem.
Why the pool design actually matters (it's not just for show)
Architizer and various design authorities have obsessed over this pool for over a decade. Why? Because it’s a geometric anomaly. Designed by French architect Popo Danes, the twin-tiered structure mimics the surrounding rice terraces.
It’s built from poured concrete and finished with Batu Candi—a volcanic stone that turns dark and moody when wet. This choice wasn't just aesthetic. Volcanic stone is porous and handles the extreme Balinese humidity better than imported marble ever could. If you look closely at the edges, the engineering required to cantilever that much weight (tons of water) over a sheer drop is terrifyingly impressive.
Most hotels try to fight the jungle. They clear-cut, they level the land, and they build a box. Here, they used a funicular.
Yes, a cable car.
Because the gradient is so steep, guests move between the reception, the spa, and the villas via a small rail car that crawls up and down the hillside. It’s slow. It’s a bit jerky. But it’s the only way to navigate a property that is essentially vertical.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Ubud" Location
Technically, you aren't in Ubud. This is a common gripe on TripAdvisor. You're in Buahan, which is significantly more remote.
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If you want to walk to a cafe or browse a boutique, you’re out of luck. You are trapped—in a nice way—in the jungle. This brings up the "monkey factor." Long-tailed macaques live here. They don't care about your room rate. They will steal your sunglasses. They will try to get into your minibar if you leave the sliding door a crack open. It’s their forest; you’re just paying to sleep in it.
The Spa by the River
Down at the very bottom of the gorge, right against the Ayung River, sits the spa. It’s a bit of a hike if you don't take the funicular, but the sound of the rushing water is better than any "white noise" app on your phone.
Interestingly, the resort leans heavily into "Royal Balinese" treatments. They use ingredients like boreh (a spice paste made from ginger, cloves, and rice powder) that was originally used by Balinese farmers to warm their muscles after a day in the paddies. It tingles. It’s borderline spicy on your skin. But it works.
The Logistics of Living Vertically
You’ve got to consider the humidity.
Everything stays slightly damp. Your clothes might feel a bit heavy. This is the trade-off for living inside a cloud forest. The resort uses a massive amount of dehumidifying tech, but nature usually wins in the end.
Food-wise, the Three Elements Restaurant has to deal with the logistical nightmare of getting fresh produce up that hill. They focus on "farm-to-table" not because it’s a trendy buzzword, but because it’s a necessity. They source heavily from the Bedugul highlands nearby.
- The Signature Dish: Usually involves local duck or barramundi.
- The Drink: Jamu. It’s a traditional turmeric and ginger tonic. It tastes like health and dirt, but it’s surprisingly refreshing in 90% humidity.
- The Price Tag: It’s expensive. You’re looking at $600 to $1,500 a night depending on the season and the villa type.
Is it worth it?
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If you’re a photographer or an architecture nerd, yes. If you hate bugs and get claustrophobic around trees, absolutely not. The hanging gardens resort bali indonesia is polarizing. It’s for people who want to feel small against the scale of the jungle.
Navigating the Ethical Jungle
We have to talk about sustainability. A resort this size in a remote area uses a lot of water and power.
The hotel claims to employ mostly local villagers from Payangan, which is a huge deal for the local economy. In Bali, "community" (Banjar) is everything. When a resort supports the local temple ceremonies and employs the local youth, it gains a layer of protection and respect that "corporate" hotels lack.
However, the sheer volume of plastic waste generated by the luxury industry is a battle. Hanging Gardens has moved toward glass bottling and eliminating single-use plastics, but the back-end logistics of waste management in rural Bali remain a challenge for the entire island, not just this property.
Hidden Details You Won’t See on Instagram
There is a small temple on the grounds.
Balinese Hinduism requires that the land be "asked" for permission before building. You’ll see small offerings (canang sari) everywhere—on the funicular tracks, at the edge of the pool, in your room. These aren't decorations. They are active daily rituals performed by the staff.
Also, the "Hanging" part of the name is literal. Some of the villas are supported by pillars that go deep into the mud and rock. When it rains—and it pours in Bali—the sound on the Alang-Alang roofs is deafening. It’s beautiful, but it’s not the quiet, sterile silence of a Four Seasons in a city. It’s a living building.
Actionable Tips for the Serious Traveler
If you’re actually planning to book a stay at the hanging gardens resort bali indonesia, don't just click "reserve" on the first site you see.
First, check the Balinese calendar for Nyepi (the Day of Silence). The entire island shuts down. No flights, no lights, no leaving the hotel. Staying at Hanging Gardens during Nyepi is a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime experience because the stars over the jungle are insane when the rest of the island is pitch black.
Second, book a "Panoramic Villa." Some of the lower-tier rooms have obscured views because the jungle grows so fast. You want to be higher up the ridge to get that unobstructed view of the Dalem Segara temple across the gorge.
Third, take the morning walk. The resort offers guided treks through the local village. It sounds touristy, but it’s the only way to see the "Subak" irrigation system—a UNESCO-recognized method of water management that has existed for centuries. It’s a feat of engineering that rivals the hotel’s pool.
How to get there without losing your mind
Do not try to drive a rental car here yourself. The roads in Payangan are narrow, steep, and often blocked by a ceremonial procession or a very stubborn cow. Use the hotel’s transfer service. It’s more expensive, but they know how to navigate the "shortcuts" that Google Maps doesn't understand.
Lastly, bring a real camera. Your phone’s night mode will struggle with the deep shadows of the Ayung gorge at dusk. The way the mist rolls in around 5:00 PM is the real "magic hour," and you’ll want a lens that can handle the low light.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Verify the Season: Avoid the peak of the rainy season (January/February) unless you don't mind being stuck indoors; October and November offer the best balance of lush greenery and manageable weather.
- Budget for Extras: The room rate is just the start. Factor in $150+ per day for on-site dining and spa treatments, as there are no "cheap" local spots within walking distance.
- Pack Light, Pack Smart: Bring high-grip sandals for the damp stone walkways and plenty of mosquito repellent with DEET; the "natural" stuff won't cut it in the deep valley.
The hanging gardens resort bali indonesia isn't a "perfect" place—it's too wild for that. But it is a definitive example of what happens when human ambition meets an unapologetic landscape. It’s a place that demands you slow down, mostly because the funicular won’t let you go any faster.