A Wellness Journey in the Magical Eco-Design of Capella Ubud

There are often times that we feel the need to take on a revitalizing Spa & Wellness journey to “mute” the boisterous city life and let ourselves go into nature’s loving arms.

Well, how about experiencing this journey in a literally pristine rainforest, accompanied by the unique ambiance of a true adventure story, with no compromise on deluxe services? That's the kind of spa experience Capella Ubud is offering…

Unparalleled and Natural Architecture 

Opened in 2018, Capella, Ubud is one of the design masterpieces of the famous landscape architect, architect and designer Bill Bensley. Bensley and Capella have managed to create a modern yet sustainable retreat with an exceptionally original architecture that can oversee stunning views from every angle, without touching its outstanding natural beauty stretching out almost ten acres among the rainforests of Ubud, accompanied by the enchanting flow of the Wos River. So much so that not a single tree was cut down at any phase from the project to the commissioning of the hotel!

Climbing over the magnificent rice fields of Keliki Valley and passing through Capella’s entrance path adorned with deer head sculptures, you come across a stellar forest camp interconnected by meandering footpaths winding around centuries-old banyan trees, stone steps and tree-wrapped suspension bridges. We say camp, because Capella's architectural concept for this area is tent; inspired from the story of the first European settlers who came to Bali in the early 1800s and Bensley's camping memories from childhood, fused with a minimal intervention approach to nature. Bensley explains the reason behind this concept as “It has a very small footprint, which allowed us to build within the forest.”.

Themed Amenities and Special Ambiance

Another element of the hotel that adds "liveliness" to the tent concept is the themed tent retreats… These fantastic tent retreats reflecting the professions of the first settlers with different themes like the Cartographer, Carpenter, Princess, Puppet Master or Photographer's tent, manage to have their guests get into the “character” from the moment they enter the place, so to speak, with their organic yet surrealist ambiances. These tents, where you can see one-of-a-kind decorations and Balinese crafts, feature some very charming maximalist elements with different hues according to their themes, such as four-poster beds, hand-carved Balinese doors -which took a year to create-, hand-forged copper bathtubs, throne-like toilets, hand-painted artworks, carved armchairs upholstered in Saput Poleng fabrics, puppets and antique machines.

Even the modern devices provided in the rooms are settled in harmony with the organic and storytelling nature of the tents. For example, appliances such as coffee maker and refrigerator are tucked in special wooden materials to ensure consonance with the interior. Additionally, each room has a smartphone pre-loaded with data like on the hotel's areas.

All accommodations offer outdoor terraces, a magnificent saltwater pool to experience in the company of playful copper monkeys, outdoor dining areas and ample seating. And you get to watch the breathtaking views of Keliki Valley or the Wos River, or the beautiful scenery of Bali's dancing birds within the serenity of the Ubud rainforest, from both the tent retreats and public tents...

When it comes to public areas like Capella’s silent open-air cinema, kitchen tents named Mads Lange and Api Jiwa, and Capella Culturist are as artistic, original and respectful to nature as their private areas. Let’s not forget the guests’ favorites, which are the unique 30-meter-long outdoor rainforest pool made from a recycled ship hull, aka ‘the Cistern’, and the ‘Officer’s Tent’; the living room that transports you directly from your room to the everyday moments of the early European settlers in Bali.

Authentic Spa & Wellness Experiences

Like other facilities of Capella, Ubud, the wellness areas blend the nuances of general architecture with the authentic texture of Bali. In the three spa tents of Auriga Wellness, you can rejuvenate with treatments such as Chakra Balancing or Prana Healing while gazing at the magnificent hand-painted paintings or watching the wise banyan trees. Or you can relax with the calm breeze of the rainforest while relieving stress with technological sports equipment at the Armoury. You can also prefer unwinding without leaving the characterful ambiance of your retreat, since Capella also offers spa treatment in the privacy of your room.

Harmonic Colors

The color scheme of the facility is also quite eye-catching…Soft and neutral tones contrasting with the black tents that protect from rain and UV rays, seem to be the main theme of the exteriors; while the interiors are dominated by bright colors like red, green and yellow which creates a divergence with the theme. However, when sighted as a whole, all areas manage to stay in perfect harmony with nature and Bali's traditional textures.

Sustainability in Every Aspect

Capella’s sustainable approach is manifested not only in the architectural concept, but also in its business ethos. For instance, the Mads Lange restaurant, a tribute to Bali's "white rajah", offers seasonal dishes with produce and spices sourced from local farms. Likewise, Auriga Wellness Spa offers its guests the signature spa treatments applied with products made entirely of local and organic materials. Taking the traditional Balinese philosophy Tri Hita Karana, which attributes the source of well-being to the harmony between God, Nature and Humans, at its center, Capella refrains from disposable plastic, and uses its own wastewater treatment and management system.

In short, Capella, Ubud is one of the best examples of how one may experience a journey back to the self while re-exploring the wonders of nature without having to compromise the comfort of modern life and top-tier services, thanks to the healing care and therapies it offers under the roof of a truly peerless and nature-entwined architecture…

See you in other articles on architecture and design, the important parts of the Spa universe…