With its roots firmly set in Japanese design principles, the discreetly luxurious HOSHINOYA Bali pays tribute to Balinese culture and craftsmanship — and the result is exquisite.

Architect Rie Azuma's fusion of minimalist Japanese design aesthetic with beautiful Balinese elements perfectly balances the two cultures and the relationship between humans and nature. Hoshinoya Bali truly celebrates luxurious minimalism. The decor is uncluttered, filled with light streaming through the walls of windows, creating a welcoming and open atmosphere, inviting a sense of calm and clarity. Dancing shadows embrace the Japanese practice of Komorebi, which roughly translates as "the scattered light that filters through when sunlight shines through trees" Komorebi is about integrating your passions into everyday life, seeking out the light even amidst the shadows, and trusting that each ray of light will guide your way forward.

The word is made up of three "Kanji" or Chinese characters: "tree" or "trees", "leaking-through" or "escape", and "light" or "sun". The recent movie Perfect Days", by German filmmaker, playwright, author, and photographer Wim Wenders, created from a script co-written by Wenders and Japanese author Takuma Takasaki, is a celebration of Komorebi. During his lunchtime break, the main character, Hirayama — a man leading a seemingly nondescript life cleaning Tokyo toilets for a living goes every day without fail to the nearby park to eat his lunch and takes long glances at the tree tops, swaying slowly in the wind.

He then takes his old Olympus camera out of his uniform pocket and captures the trees lit by the sun. Later, he takes the film rolls to the local camera shop to have them developed and printed. At home, he looks at the photos slowly and places them in boxes, dated in chronological order. Many of the images might seem identical, but to him, it is his diary and a way of proving his existential contentment. Much like the movie, HOSHINOYA Bali allows you to step outside the 'box' and view the world from a different angle.

There is a strong sense of tradition and culture in Bali—nowhere more than in Ubud, where Hoshinoya Bali is located. Rie Azuma, from Azuma Architect & Associates, was asked to design the resort to incorporate the charms and cultures of Bali authentically. Azuma researched Balinese culture by visiting Hindu temples and traditional Balinese homes and villages and studying traditional craftsmanship at metal, stone, wood, and batik workshops throughout Indonesia. Inspired by the people she met and her discoveries, Azuma arrived at an authentically Balinese design faithful to the HOSHINOYA aesthetic.

This restful retreat is a secret hideaway with 30 sublime villas in a jungle-fringed landscaped water garden escape. All villas are set higher on the valley, surrounded by a pool that connects every part of the resort. The presence of the sacred river is vital to this property; the waters flow into the Pakerisan River, nurturing the jungles of Ubud that grow along its banks. Wherever you are in Hoshinoya Bali, you will feel the river all around you, backdropped by jungles and terraced rice fields. Along the top of the valley, a boardwalk along an ancient canal—a vital feature of the traditional Balinese irrigation system known as a subak and a UNESCO site. A boardwalk from the reception pavilion immediately transports you to a Balinese jungle, where birdcage-like cafe gazebos hover above the boardwalk and look out onto the valley.

This villa's spacious, flowing, open spaces reflect how your mind will feel pretty soon. Stresses flow away, and time is suspended. Shoji doors, hand-printed batiks, and gorgeous hand-carved wooden panels bring a distinctly Balinese touch to the villas. In keeping with the Japanese design, the bed is a futon.

HOSHINOYA Bali is carefully designed to stand between trees along the edge of the densely jungled Pakerisan River valley. It offers gorgeous views across the treetops, frequented by many birds. Birdsong, the clacking of cicadas, filters through the canopy of trees, along with the sound of running water from The sacred river flowing below.

The resort designs are rooted in Balinese Hinduism, a spiritual philosophy emphasising the balance between humans and the natural world. This balance defines the wondrous delights of Hoshinoya Bali, a resort village nestled in the Balinese jungle.

Imagine spending your days wandering through the greenery or simply enjoying the soothing sounds of nature right from your private villa or from within the private gazebos overlooking the jungle. Or dip in your pool, which feeds into the larger waterscape, a canal-like public area in the centre connecting the whole resort. The gardens give the pools the appearance of naturally occurring streams—a visual echo of the river valleys in Bali.

If you need more pampering, the serene on-site spa will leave you feeling refreshed or ready for a snooze. The resort, enveloped by the jungle, offers a peaceful sanctuary for Balinese massage. The entrance is also somewhat unique. Do not miss the intensely relaxing and calming "HOSHINOYA Balinese Massage."

Daily classes allow you to experience the island's culture first-hand—from making batik prints and temple offerings to learning Balinese dance or borrowing a book from the library. Start and end the day with a yoga stretch early in the misty mornings and under the moonlight and stars each evening. I loved the guided morning rice field walk and am proud of my batik prints.

You will not go hungry here; the exceptional cuisine— meals at HOSHINOYA Bali are a sublime experience crafted with local ingredients that delight the taste buds. Bali is a treasure trove of ingredients and natural spices. Meals at Hoshinoya Bali offer the pleasures of traditional Balinese and Indonesian cuisine a little at a time, and they look incredible. The cuisine is a balance of Japanese and Balinese influences. In Indonesia, it is customary to order a large plate of food and share it with friends and family. Breakfasts, too, are delicious — Indonesian, Japanese, and Western. I have to say the Indonesian is a sheer delight. Light snacks and drinks are available at the gazebos throughout the day.

An absolute highlight is the nine-course dinner served in a gazebo, followed closely by the picnic breakfast, also served in a gazebo. At night, the mystical sounds of the gamelan ring through this spacious open-air restaurant, where guests enjoy their meals while gazing out at the nearby jungle.

For a peaceful escape, HOSHINOYA Bali is the perfect sanctuary. Nestled outside lively Ubud, this resort blends Japanese design with Balinese warmth, creating a tranquil and inviting atmosphere. It's a hidden gem for recharging and reconnecting, whether seeking peace or adventure.

The gracious, unobtrusive service enhances the experience, and time spent here restores your soul. Having visited multiple Hoshinoya resorts, I can attest to their mesmerising beauty and therapeutic qualities. Each moment brings a profound sense of calm. While it feels worlds away from urban life, it's just a 20-minute drive from Ubud, with a free shuttle available for exploration. You'll find it hard to leave this oasis.