Features Destinations | The Punch Community

WEBSITE PREVIEW – LAUNCHING AUGUST 2021

FEATURED STORIES

DESTINATIONS

Boutique Hotels • Retreats • Restaurants • Wellness

Boutique Hotels

Retreats

Restaurants

Wellness

FEATURE OF THE MONTH

Nadi’s Living Loop:
Hospitality that Regenerates
with Purpose

Some places invite you to look inward without ever closing your eyes. Nadi, a nature resort in the misty contours of Tabanan, Bali, is one of them. Just a 30-minute drive from the UNESCO-protected rice terraces of Jatiluwih, this is a place where the conversation is not led by words, but by the breath of the site.

BOUTIQUE HOTELS

From Art to Hospitality:
Komaneka Resorts Redefining Bali’s Heritage

Koman Wahyu Suteja founded Komaneka Resorts to celebrate Bali’s culture by blending contemporary art, tradition, and hospitality. Beginning with a gallery in Ubud, Komaneka has grown into five boutique resorts, each honoring the island's rich heritage.

Crafting Timeless Tranquility:
The Remarkable Evolution of Bambu Indah

Bambu Indah can be found in Ubud’s land of growth, in a small village called Baung. This boutique resort has an air of magic that blends into its surroundings. At one point in time, the site was a small cluster of wooden houses covered by bamboo groves. Today, it’s transformed into a larger-than-life sanctuary with 28 rooms.

Boutique Hotel • North Bali

Reef, Roots & Renewal: Sumberkima Hill’s Vision for a Collaborative Future

Sumberkima Hill started as a simple vision for a second home but quickly evolved into a vibrant community of villas, attracting visitors with its stunning natural beauty and serene atmosphere.

Boutique Hotel • Ubud

Alchemy of the Earth: Bisma Eight’s Balanced Revolution in the Heart of Ubud

Greater than its detailed local craftsmanship, Bisma Eight takes a proactive stance on sustainability, from filtering rainwater and converting organic waste into fertilizer to producing their eco-enzyme–a multi-purpose, in-house solution.

Boutique Hotel • Ubud

From Art to Hospitality: Komaneka Resorts Redefining Bali’s Heritage

Koman Wahyu Suteja founded Komaneka Resorts to celebrate Bali’s culture by blending contemporary art, tradition, and hospitality. Beginning with a gallery in Ubud, Komaneka has grown into five boutique resorts, each honoring the island's rich heritage.

Boutique Hotel • Nusa Lembongan

Sustainability on a Remote Island: Exploring the Innovative Batu Karang Approach

Batu Karang breaks away from the overbearing stereotype of typical resorts, equipped with a state-of-the-art water treatment plant, a comprehensive sewerage system, and a gorgeous hydroponic garden, among other features.

THE PUNCH DESTINATIONS

A Responsible
Journey in Lombok

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INNIT’s Journey Through Fire, Sea, and Soil

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Sempiak Seaside: The Sound of Stillness

The Punch List 2025 is your go-to guide for experiencing Lombok in a mindful and impactful way. Curated for conscious travelers, it connects you with businesses that honor the island’s rich traditions, preserve its cultural heritage, and uplift local communities.

RETREAT OF THE MONTH

CUSTODIA: A Renaissance
in Bali's the Rainforest

Conceived not in boardrooms but in moments of personal crisis and philosophical clarity, CUSTODIA is the co-creation of Robert Gladitz and David Hach. Both arrived at this hillside in Bali from very different corners of Europe, yet with uncannily mirrored pasts–entrepreneurial triumphs followed by spiritual droughts. They didn’t meet in Bali, but in a yellow house at the edge of Poland’s last primeval forest. What was seeded there was not merely a project, but a question: How do we build a world we don’t want to escape from?

RETREATS

Wellness Retreat • Central Bali

Desa Seni: Remembering the Land, Relearning the Way

Desa Seni first opened in Berawa in 2005, when the area was still all rice fields and fireflies. As Bali evolved, so did the village—quietly relocating to the cooler highlands, where forests grow thick and the land breathes slow.

Wellness Retreat • Ubud

The Healing Power of Tradition & Care at Fivelements

Tucked along the serene Ayung River in Bali, Fivelements Retreat is a sanctuary of holistic wellness where ancient Balinese traditions merge with modern care to inspire transformation.

Art Retreat • Ubud

Roots of Renewal: The Art and Soul of TianTaru

TianTaru is a small, family-run studio dedicated to the art of indigo dyeing. 12 years ago, three small indigo cuttings were gifted to the family, who nurtured them into a flourishing 4.9-acre plantation on once-depleted land enclosed and withdrawn from the outside.

Culinary Retreat • Ubud

The Future-Focused Yet Authentic World of Room4Dessert

R4D has always been more than a restaurant. It has evolved into a small village of its own, yet remains unpretentious at heart.

RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH

Beyond the Plate:
The Immersive World
of Locavore NXT

Locavore has long established itself as a culinary landmark in the heart of Ubud. Known for its modern European-Indonesian fusion, the restaurant has widened its reach with Nusantara by Locavore, Locavore To Go, Peggy’s Brass Knuckles, cocktail bars Night Rooster and Club Soda, and recently Herbivore by Locavore, each offering a unique taste of the island's richness. But it’s Locavore NXT that truly pushes boundaries–a hyper-local dining experience that’s as much about the journey as it is about the food.

CULINARY EXPERIENCES

Roastery • Central Bali

Baking & Roasting Change: The Heart and Soul of BAKED

BAKED. Bali, founded by Gustav Groenendijk, champions intentionality and purpose, offering artisanal coffee, handcrafted pastries, and community connection.

Cafe • Canggu

The Avocado Factory: Made to Remember, Built to Belong

The idea bloomed quietly: a café where avocado would not just appear, but take center stage. Signature dishes, select drinks, and every thoughtful detail throughout the space are infused with the color, form, and spirit of one singular fruit. They called it The Avocado Factory.

Restaurant • Canggu

Lulu Bistrot: An Unforgettable Dining Experience Empowering Local Talents

Lulu encourages creativity and collaboration, allowing the local team to bring their unique perspective to their French-inspired menu.

Store & Cafe • Canggu

Embracing Mindful Living: The Bokashi Experience

Drawing inspiration from the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, Bokashi offers a serene escape from the frenetic pace of everyday life.

CUSTODIA:
A Renaissance in the Rainforest

Custodia is a regenerative village and living prototype tucked in the jungles of Jatiluwih, Bali. It’s not a retreat, but a reckoning—a place born from burnout, clarity, and a shared question: how do we build a world we don’t want to escape from?

Desa Seni:
Remembering the Land, Relearning the Way

Desa Seni first opened in Berawa in 2005, when the area was still all rice fields and fireflies. As Bali evolved, so did the village—quietly relocating to the cooler highlands, where forests grow thick and the land breathes slow.

THE PUNCH LIST 2025

Best Authentic & Responsible
Cafés to Try in Bali

Explore Bali's finest responsible cafés, offering authentic and cozy experiences, exceptional products, and community involvement in Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud, and Uluwatu.

THE PUNCH LIST 2025

Best Restaurants & Bars
Driving Positive Change in Bali

Bali's culinary scene offers a rich blend of traditional Balinese and international fusion cuisine, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients and eco-conscious practices. Explore our curation of the island's top responsible restaurants and bars for memorable dining experiences.

THE PUNCH LIST 2025

Best Responsible Beach Clubs & Entertainment in Bali

Responsible Beach Clubs in Bali provide more than just sun, sand, and sea; they support local communities and the environment through best responsible practices.

THE PUNCH LIST 2025

Best Responsible Spas
& Activities to Unwind in Bali

Bali's wellness destinations are perfect for a refreshing escape that focuses on overall health and caring for the environment. Our curated selection of the best responsible spas and activities is designed to boost your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.