Cocktails and ice baths

An eco-friendly Bali resort offers wellbeing bliss with holiday magic – and the world’s best hidden minibar, writes Siobhan Downes.

Not your run-of-themill beach resort

Most travellers book a Bali holiday with one of two experiences in mind – sipping cocktails at a beach club, or working on their downward dog at a wellness retreat. Desa Potato Head is a resort that has managed to find the perfect balance.

The place

Desa Potato Head is in Seminyak, a popular tourist area about 13km from the airport. Considered more sophisticated than nearby hot spots Kuta and Legian, it is packed with boutiques, trendy bars and restaurants, spas and hotels.

The space

Many visitors to Bali will know of Potato Head Beach Club, which opened in 2010, with its distinctive facade made of antique window shutters, and 5000 Lost Soles art installation, consisting of thousands of jandals.

Then, in 2020, an expanded offering was launched, Desa Potato Head – a ‘‘creative village’’ (desa means village in Indonesian), combining music, art, design, food and wellness.

The complex includes the beach club, an existing boutique hotel next door (Potato Head Suites), and a new 168-room beachfront hotel, Potato Head Studios.

The room

I stayed in an Oceanfront Studio in Potato Head Studios, which overlooked the pool and had a peek of the ocean through the palm trees. The room had a luxurious Scandinavian feel, with its wooden panelling, and sliding doors revealing the wardrobe, shower and separate toilet.

The room was divided into a series of wooden ‘‘boxes’’. On one side was the bed, desk and a sofa. On the other was a sink, a clever pop-up vanity, and a bathtub, again, all made from wood.

Another ‘‘box’’ acted as a kitchenette. It had teaand coffee-making facilities and a discreet minifridge, as well as a second sofa. A final box – disguised as a coffee table – was the minibar.

The amenities

The minibar was possibly the coolest thing I have seen in a hotel. The table unfolded to reveal a variety of cocktail-making tools and ingredients, alongside recipe cards so you could mix your own drinks (or you could request a bartender to come to make them for you).

There were plenty more surprises, too. I assumed the brightly coloured soap dispensers and tissue boxes were from a designer homeware brand, but they are made in-house, using recycled polystyrene boxes mixed with crushed oyster shells saved from the resort’s restaurants.

It is all part of Desa Potato Head’s commitment to zero-waste, and it is almost there. Just 3% of the resort’s waste ends up in landfill.

At check-in, guests are asked to hand over their single-use plastic drink bottles and bags. In return you are given a stainless steel tumbler and tote bag, which you can take home with you.

The rooms also have zero-waste kits to use during your stay, including bamboo cutlery to take on outdoor excursions, and refillable sunscreen, aloe vera and insect repellent.

The food

Breakfast is included with your room, but there is no buffet – everything is made to order to reduce waste.

There is plenty of choice on the menu, with a mix of Western classics, health-focused options, and Indonesian dishes (the nasi goreng, or fried rice, was one of the best breakfasts I have had).

You could also enjoy a jamu – traditional Indonesian health tonic – with your breakfast. The potent concoctions claim a range of benefits (I was recommended one with ‘‘anti-ageing properties’’). And there are jamu-making workshops.

There are several bars and restaurants in the resort, from seafood restaurant Ijen, to Indonesian restaurant Kaum, and the Sunset Park rooftop bar.

I had the Chef’s Table experience at Tanaman, an entirely plant-based restaurant. As a meateater, I was sceptical but it was mind-blowing. Chef Dom Hammond did things with vegetables I never dreamed of, from radish with savoury caramel, to making mushroom satay sticks.

Worth stepping out for

Honestly, I didn’t want to leave. But you are welllocated for a wander around Seminyak’s shops. Jalan Laksmana is considered Bali’s top shopping street, where you will find everything from international surf brands to handcrafted accessories. The Flea Market is also a fun place to put your haggling skills to the test.

Worth staying in for

Desa Potato Head has a big focus on wellness. A variety of offerings include spa treatments, yoga and meditation, and outdoor workouts.

For guests looking for something a bit different, Desa Potato Head also houses a wellness centre known as the Sanctuary, where you can try more unconventional practices such as sound healing or ice bath therapy.

I took part in a breathwork session, which involved lying down in a dark room, simultaneously panting and holding my breath – and being encouraged to scream out my emotions. I felt surprisingly clear-headed and energised after it.

Highlight

Do I have to choose? Probably the minibar, purely for its novelty factor.

Lowlight

I made a brief visit to the beach club at sunset, and it was influencer central as guests fought for the best Instagram shot spot. But this is to be expected in Bali.

The verdict

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill beach resort. With its ethos of providing good times while doing good in the world, a stay at Desa Potato Head will leave you feeling like a better human.

The writer travelled courtesy of Air New Zealand and was hosted by Desa Potato Head.