Four Takeaways From Bali’s Sustainability-Led Hotels Visit
Photo by Fivelements Retreat Bali
You may be thinking as you read the headline. “Not another article about Bali. Doesn’t this island have enough media coverage already?”
Yes, that may be true.
Bali’s natural beauty and unique cultural assets, together with a creative and entrepreneurial tourism community that is open to experimentation and collaboration, have created a multitude of exciting products that cater to different traveler preferences.
This magical formula has made Bali one of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations.
The island of 4.5 million people received 5 million international arrivals and nearly 9.5 million domestic arrivals in 2023, according to the Bali Government Tourism Office.
At the same time, Bali has always been Asia’s breeding ground for novel tourism practices.
Sustainable tourism practices such as wellness and circularity that have been tested in Bali have the potential to attract attention and be implemented in other destinations across Asia and beyond.
Our recent hotel visits in late 2023 revealed key takeaways:
Sustainability is a journey, with each hotel at its unique stage. Regardless of their initial driving force, many of them understand the ongoing need for further action.
The commonality amongst them is the burning desire to become better and do more good.
A common starting point is to lean on the brand’s core values. From there, they build and expand their eco-conscious initiatives based on their team’s strengths, the local community’s needs, and guest preferences.
Transparent communications and community involvement are the cornerstones of building enduring impact.
Now, let’s deep dive into the two properties that captured our attention.
Fivelements Retreat Bali, The Wellness Champion
Fivelements Retreat Bali embodies holistic health, which is deeply rooted in the island's widely embraced Tri Hita Karana philosophy of balancing spirit, humanity, and nature.
Yvonne Anggreni, Director of Sales and Marketing, highlights that sustainability is integrated into all aspects of the retreat. For example, plastic-free packaging agreements with suppliers, as well as onsite zero-plastic waste policy, represent a symbiotic connection with nature.
Moreover, the resort embodies the spirit of cooperation and solidarity to foster community cohesion by inviting neighboring farmers to tend to the resort's on-site garden and share the harvests equally.
Photos by Fivelements Retreat
Another defining characteristic of Fivelements Retreat Bali's wellness offerings is its highly personalized services, a principle that resonates deeply with the human-centric aspect of Tri Hita Karana. Each guest benefits from bespoke experiences and plant-based meals curated by dedicated wellness ambassadors. This reflects the resort’s emphasis on individual needs and preferences.
Photos by Fivelements Retreat Bali
The resort also offers unique healing experiences, from sacred cave visits in nearby island Nusa Penida to immersive floral baths designed to engage all five senses, and guided water healing sessions evoking a sense of primal comfort akin to returning to the womb.
Photo by Fivelements Retreat Bali
In the picture above: Watsu, a combination of the terms 'water' and 'shiatsu', is a calming aquatic movement treatment performed in warm water that is based on Zen Shiatsu's holistic healing idea.
These experiences resonate with today's discerning travelers seeking authenticity and immersive experiences as Fivelements Retreat Bali maintains high occupancy rates amid traditionally slower seasons.
Yvonne reflects on the impact of guests' experiences, noting that many arrive seeking rejuvenation of mind, body, and spirit. “It's a privilege to look after our guests during their stay. We believe that guests will share their positive experiences with others."
By prioritizing guest well-being and satisfaction, Fivelements Retreat Bali harnesses the power of positive word-of-mouth marketing and cultivates loyal patrons. This is a valuable lesson for businesses seeking long-term growth and brand advocacy.
With expansion scheduled for the near future, Fivelements Retreat Bali is poised to reinforce its leadership in wellness travel.
Desa Potato Head, The Circularity Warrior
In hospitality, where sustainability is often overlooked in the pursuit of luxury, Desa Potato Head sets an example of building a high-end hotel without compromising its sustainability principles.
Our team’s recent stay at Desa Potato Head with Further East provided insights into the “Good Times, Do Good” mantra driving this establishment.
Prior to our visit, we had heard numerous praises, each echoing the sentiment that “it’s impossible to not like Potato Head.” During a four-day immersion, the depth of its commitment to sustainability became clear.
Central to Desa Potato Head's ethos is its unwavering dedication to circularity. This is evident in its meticulous waste management system that involves every department and every team member. The Waste Lab transforms surplus materials into functional daily essentials and art pieces, showcasing creativity and sustainability at its core.
In the pictures above: the green rattan chairs and stools, designed by British artist Faye Toogood, are composed of woven cloth generated from upcycled PET bottles, with each chair containing between 280 and 320 bottles. BYO Living in Jakarta created the material, which is known for its durability.
Photos by: Desa Potato Head
Notably, the Pointman - River Warrior sculpture, conceived out of 888 kilograms of plastic waste from across Bali, stands as a tangible symbol of the resort's transformative journey.
Photos by Tommaso Riva. Artist: FUTURA2000
Beyond waste management, Desa Potato Head stands out for its unique approach to gastronomy, notably its embracing of plant-based cuisine at its food and beverage venues, including Tanaman, Akademi, and Dome. These culinary offerings, rooted in an appreciation for Indonesia's rich natural environment, exhibit a harmonious blend of tradition and experimentation, which tantalize the palate while advocating for zero-waste cooking.
Photos by: Desa Potato Head
Desa Potato Head, recently rewarded with a B-Corp certification, certainly lives up to its “Good Times, Do Good” mantra.
However, for a resort the size of Desa Potato Head, including the newly subterranean discotheque Klymax, one cannot help but wonder about the amount of energy required to run a seamless operation. Perhaps, this would be one of the next pieces of puzzle that the brand is looking to solve.
