THE LUXE LIST 2022
INDONESIA
BUAHAN, A BANYAN TREE ESCAPE
You don’t even need to get out of bed to practice forest bathing at this jungle-ensconced Balinese hideaway, where a “no walls, no doors” concept immerses guests in nature. Located in the hills north of Ubud, the 16 timber villas here come with private swimming pools, copper bathtubs, decks of reclaimed ironwood, and floor-to-ceiling views over the surrounding greenery. But like the traditional bale pavilions on which they’re modeled, they are open to the elements, trading walls for gauzy curtains that are drawn at night to keep out the local critters (though not always successfully, as evidenced by the frog that found its way onto my bed one evening). An adults-only policy ensures a tranquil stay set to a soundtrack of birdsong, rustling leaves, and the gurgling river at the foot of the property. Another plus is the food. Overseen by Buahan-born chef Eka Sunarya, the mostly plant-based menu stars Balinese classics made from locally grown and foraged ingredients (escape.banyantree.com; doubles from US$635, half-board).
—Cristian Rahadiansyah
JAPAN
ROKU KYOTO
Standing on this site at the foot of Kyoto’s Takagamine mountains more than half a century ago, kimono master Masao Matsuyama opined that “beautiful things are born from beautiful environments.” Certainly, they are at Roku Kyoto. Part of Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts collection, the 114-room property is seamlessly incorporated into the tranquil wooded landscape, with nods to classic Japanese elegance in its clean-lined architecture (by Blink Design Group, based in Singapore and Bangkok). Though all guest quarters celebrate the beauty of local materials and craftsmanship—think lustrous lacquerware and ancient woodblock patterns on baths. Tenjin, the restaurant, is named for the river that flows through the grounds and stands out for its Chef’s Table section, where tasting menus fuse French technique with seasonal ingredients. Drawing inspiration from Kyoto’s bamboo forests, the Roku Spa is another highlight, its signature massage using heated stones drawn from the Tenjin River. Stylishly modern or classically ancient? Roku Kyoto is both ().
