A relative newcomer to the Bali resort scene, The Mandala Group’s Ulu Cliffhouse has already cemented its reputation as a stunning boutique hotel and – as described by Tatler – one of the best private clubs in the world. Leading the project was London-based design studio Shed, who, alongside fellow studios Design Assembly and The Good Firm created a stand-out destination that lets visitors bask in Uluwatu’s stunning views, atmospheric sunsets and fantastic waves for surf buffs.
Nestled on a cliff face 30 meters above the beach, the boutique hotel reveals the natural beauty of its surroundings from every angle. Its centerpiece is its pool area, which boasts pastel-hued furniture and geometric patterned flooring that looks out to the ocean, perfectly set up as a place to see and be seen and a site for both tranquil pool time and nights of clubbing. Just below the dramatic drop of the cliff is the secluded Ocean Deck, a raw and rustic bar and lounge area arranged across staggered bleached timber platforms. Similarly, the Cliff Bar and Restaurant offers tiered dining and fantastic views, furnished with handcrafted timber and rattan pavilions.
Along the vein of the boutique hotel’s luxurious yet relaxed atmosphere, the villas come in three distinct styles: the Beach villas with their palm wallpaper prints and shower swings; the Club rooms decorated in modern navy, coral, brass elements alongside traditional rattan; and the Natural villas that celebrate Balinese materials, fabrics and crafts.
Shed co-founder and lead designer Matt Smith and team worked within the site’s context of the local resources to produce a “natural, yet dramatically contemporary ruggedness to the overall design that ultimately lets the beauty of the clifftop landscape take center stage.” Bookmark it as your next destination.
Check out Shed’s website and Instagram for more of their work.
Photography © Shed