Desa Seni is by far one of the most magical places I have ever stayed at.
My partner and I stayed here after I completed my yoga teacher training in Ubud, and I was truly blown away. While my partner isn’t as avid a yogi as me, I know he felt right at home there too. To find out exactly why I loved this place, keep reading. And if you have any questions or notes for me, please leave them in the comments section – I love hearing from you.
OVERALL RATING: 5/5
A place of peace, tranquility and happiness, this is my kind of resort! I was able to unwind, rejuvenate and playfully evolve.
EXPERIENCE
I had no idea what to expect from an “eco-village resort”, but it proved nothing short of magical. Not to spoil the surprise for future guests, but there were many intricate offerings that really allowed us to feel at home, as well as connected to the local culture, community and land.
What really stands out about Desa Seni is that it contributes to providing support and opportunities to local the community, charities and land. For me, knowing this gave a whole new meaning to the term “eco-village”.
Fun fact: 40% of the land at Desa Seni is used for sustainable, organic farming.
Each day included a stroll through the organic vegetable gardens to the yoga hut for a morning practice, breakfast on our balcony and a swim and laze by the salt water pool. We would head out to explore Canggu in the afternoon, before returning for a spa treatment and dinner – bliss!
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is in individual teak huts, which are scattered amongst the organic vegetable gardens. Each piece of antique, recycled furniture within the room is carefully selected and has it’s own story. I had so much fun exploring and learning about our humble abode!
SERVICE
I’m a real stickler for service and can hand-on-heart say that the team at Desa Seni is 5 star. In my experience to date, the resort is unrivalled in Bali. Whether it was the banging of the gong when we arrived, to being greeted “welcome home” when coming back from our activities, to the evening turndown service and the surprise glasses of water when we’re lazing by the pool – I was constantly surprised and delighted.
YOGA
If you cannot stay here, at least attend a yoga class and take the opportunity to explore the grounds. The Desa Seni yoga classes are held in beautiful open air rooms, surrounded by greenery and the sounds of wildlife. Plus, there’s so much on offer each day that you’re sure to find a class to suit your energy, mood and itinerary. I practiced each day of my stay, taking part in sunrise and sunset hatha flow classes, and an Embodied Flow practice that left my cells buzzing with happiness!
You can check out the Desa Seni yoga timetable here.
FOOD
You can eat in the Desa Seni restaurant or by the pool, or even indulge in room service. Because our balcony was such a peaceful oasis, we enjoyed most of our meals there. The dishes are made fresh on-site by the Desa Seni team, using ingredients from the garden or that are locally sourced where possible. The menu is modern, nourishing and with some Balinese twists. I loved nearly every dish – there is great variety and between my own meals and my partner’s I tasted most of the menu!
Get a sneak peek of the Desa Seni menu here.
SPA AND TREATMENTS
Desa Seni’s ‘Merapu Svaasthya’ spa program (Merapu means “spiritual forces” and Svaasthya means “wellness”) offers a range of revitalising treatments and healing therapies. I experienced a Chakra Healing session, which was a beautiful spiritual experience with an excellent practitioner who took the time to explain everything to me, and inspire my spiritual journey. Before leaving I also indulged in the Desa Seni signature massage. It was the ultimate way to end my 6 weeks in Bali, inducing me into a state of deep relaxation before I headed to the airport.
Check out the Desa Seni spa and treatment offerings here.
LOCATION
You really don’t need to leave Desa Seni if you don’t want to – it’s got everything you need to unwind and rejuvenate in the one place. That being said, if you venture out, you are in for a treat! Canggu is my new favourite part of Bali. While it’s been popular with expats for some time, it’s still growing when it comes to tourism. Think great cafes and hang spots scattered on the coast line and among the rice fields.
Note: You do need to rent a scooter if you want to do a bit of exploring, which the hotel can assist with, and costs about $8 AUD a day.
If you are Bali-bound, I truly hope you are able to gift yourself the Desa Seni experience. If you have a question for me, pop it below, I’d love to hear from you and help however I can.
Much love,
Carly x
P.S. Do you know someone who might enjoy Desa Seni? Share this review with them via one of the big share buttons below and invite them to reach out to me if they have any questions!
