Bali

Bali has been inspiring architects, artists and travellers for generations, but its visual identity extends far beyond infinity pools and bamboo villas. Ancient temples, family compounds and traditional wantilan pavilions reveal an architecture deeply connected to ritual, community and landscape. That heritage now exists alongside some of Southeast Asia’s most adventurous tropical design, from Geoffrey Bawa-inspired Modernism to contemporary retreats built from bamboo, volcanic stone, reclaimed timber and rammed earth. Beyond the increasingly busy south, rice terraces, jungle valleys and quieter stretches of coastline reveal a very different island.

Food and drink have undergone their own transformation. Traditional warungs, local markets and ceremonial Balinese cooking remain essential, while a generation of chefs has created one of Asia’s most diverse restaurant scenes. Indonesian ingredients and open-fire cooking meet farm-to-table restaurants, ambitious tasting menus and influences from around the world. Specialty coffee, natural wine bars and increasingly sophisticated cocktail culture add another layer, particularly around Ubud, Canggu and Seminyak.

Bali’s hotel culture has long been a laboratory for new ideas about hospitality. Historic tropical icons now share the island with intimate jungle hideaways, architect-designed beach retreats and properties that experiment with regenerative design and traditional craftsmanship. At DNA Hotels, we curate the places where architecture, food, culture and landscape come together with genuine purpose—hotels that reveal there is still a more thoughtful and inspiring Bali beyond the familiar tropical clichés.