Why it works

An abundance of natural beauty, intricate temples, and luxe beachfront resorts are just a few of the main draws to Bali. The tropical paradise is the perfect destination to relax, and Potato Head Studios is the best boutique resort to check yourself into. The resort is part of Desa Potato Head, a creative village and beach club, and follows an eco-friendly ethos that has laid down the blueprint for waste management and sustainability. 

From the moment you walk onto the property, the hotel’s eco-friendly motives are present. The main central courtyard houses a large blue monster, which is made entirely from bottle caps. All 168 rooms in Potato Head Studios surround the central courtyard, each offering views of the property or beachfront. 

All the rooms include wood showers, walk-in wardrobes, and hammocks on the balcony. Some have a bathtub or a foldable cocktail station, but all offer sustainably made design touches (like a toothbrush holder or soap dispenser) that are made on-site using oyster shells, styrofoam, and bottle cap tops collected from the onsite restaurants. However, all the rooms feature patchwork rugs made from fabric scraps, desk chairs from recycled plastic, and reusable amenities, including reef-safe sunscreen. 

Mornings begin with breakfast, which is served poolside or at the wood tables lining the outdoor space. For lunch and dinner, options onsite are aplenty. Kaum serves up local Indonesian pots with dishes like wok-fried noodles, spicy sambal, or different fish dishes. Seafood-centered Ijen has a daily changing menu based on the morning’s fresh catch. There’s also Tanaman, a plant-based spot, and the Pizza Garden that serves up wood-fired pizzas topped with local cheeses, produce, and meats. The star of the show is the property’s newest opening, Dome. Its menu is centered around small, sharing plates and natural wines. If you choose to head over to the beach club next door, they have light bites, international mains, and cocktails. However, the onsite bar, Bar Akademi, serves up incredibly crafty cocktails made from native botanicals and fresh juices.

During the day, take a break from the sun with a treatment in the gorgeous spa. Guests can also take a dip in one of the two pools, one is family-centered, or head over to the beach club next door. In addition, you can take private surf lessons with the hotel’s in-house expert, participate in morning workout classes or beach clean-ups, or join the included sustainability tour that showcases the behind-the-scenes of the property’s eco-conscious initiatives. 

Fast Facts

Location: Bali, Indonesia 

Rating: Five-Star

The Vibe: An eco-friendly beachfront retreat. 

Food + Drink: Breakfast is served outdoors or poolside, offering classic or Indonesian breakfast options. Lunch and dinner options include Kaum, an Indonesian spot; Ijen, a seafood-centered restaurant; or the Pizza Garden. There’s also Tanaman, a restaurant with an entirely plant-based menu, or Dome, the newest opening at Potato Head that’s centered around changing small sharing plates and natural wines. The Beach Club next door also has light bites, mains, and cocktails. For a nightcap, Bar Akademi serves up delicious cocktails made from native botanicals and fresh juices that are inspired by local drinks. 

Amenities: Fitness center, spa, multiple pools, room service, free Wi-Fi, and fitness classes and sustainability tours are included. 

Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The hotel’s sustainability initiatives are nothing short of impressive, plus the property has reduced its landfill waste to 3%. 

What’s Nearby? While everything is a bit away, you can book a guided tour of Ubud or a walking tour of Desa Tenganan. Alternatively, there are a whole slew of temples to see. 

Rooms: 168 

Pricing: Rooms start at around $200/night 

Closest Airport: Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport (also known as Denpasar International Airport or DPS) 

Hotels Above Par

Boutique luxury travel expertise for travelers who care where they wake up, not just where they land.