Further Bali
A Slow-Living Design Retreat in the Heart of Pererenan
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● One of Bali’s most compelling new design hotels, blending architecture, community, and creativity into a seamless whole.
● A “diffused hotel” concept that integrates guests into village life rather than isolating them behind resort walls.
● Beautifully crafted interiors by MORQ and Studio Wenden that reinterpret Balinese living through a contemporary lens.
Beyond the Bali Bubble
As Canggu’s popularity continues to accelerate, many travellers are searching for a quieter, more meaningful alternative. Just west of the crowds lies Pererenan, a village where rice fields still edge the streets, temples punctuate daily life, and the pace feels noticeably slower. It is here, woven into the fabric of the neighbourhood itself, that Further Bali has quietly become one of the island’s most interesting places to stay. Unlike a traditional resort, Further isn’t confined to a single plot of land. Instead, it unfolds across multiple buildings along Pererenan’s palm-lined streets, creating what its founders call a “diffused hotel” — a collection of rooms, creative spaces, boutiques, cafés, and cultural experiences woven directly into village life. The result feels less like checking into a hotel and more like temporarily becoming part of the neighbourhood.
Architecture Shaped by Place
Designed by Italian architecture studio MORQ in collaboration with Australian designers Studio Wenden, Further’s architecture draws deeply from the textures, materials, and rhythms of Bali. Terracotta-coloured walls rise from the streetscape like sculpted earth. Patterned brick screens filter sunlight into ever-changing shadows. Courtyards, balconies, and semi-open spaces encourage a constant dialogue between indoors and outdoors. Nothing feels imposed. Instead, the architecture feels as though it has emerged naturally from the tropical environment around it. The palette is restrained yet tactile: burnt sienna plaster, travertine stone, cast iron, natural timber, and hand-finished surfaces that age gracefully under Bali’s sun and humidity.
Rooms Designed for Slowness
The guestrooms continue the architectural narrative with a sense of calm that feels increasingly rare in modern hospitality. Semi-open bathrooms wrap gently around the sleeping spaces, creating fluid transitions between private retreat and tropical living. Large windows and brick screens soften the light throughout the day, while carefully curated furnishings bring warmth and character without unnecessary clutter. Custom amenities developed alongside Oaken Lab reinforce the sensory experience, while black-and-white photography adds a quietly artistic layer to the interiors. Everything feels deliberate. Nothing feels excessive. It is luxury through atmosphere rather than abundance.
A Village Within a Village
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Further is how it encourages exploration. Guests move naturally between different parts of the property and the surrounding village, discovering spaces as they go. A Thomas Surfboards concept store, Oaken Lab boutique, creative studios, cafés, and gathering spaces all form part of the wider ecosystem. There are no imposing gates. No resort boundaries. No carefully choreographed isolation. Instead, the hotel embraces permeability, allowing guests to engage with Pererenan’s cafés, galleries, local businesses, and daily life. It feels refreshingly open. And increasingly rare in Bali.
Bar Vera: The Social Heart
At street level, Bar Vera has quickly become one of Pererenan’s most sought-after addresses. Part Parisian bistro, part tropical neighbourhood gathering place, it serves as the social centre of Further. The atmosphere is elegant without being exclusive, drawing a mix of locals, creatives, surfers, and travellers throughout the day. Natural wines, seasonal plates, and thoughtful cocktails encourage long lunches that drift effortlessly into evening aperitivo hours. Dishes blend European influences with local ingredients, creating a menu that feels worldly yet rooted in place. Like the hotel itself, Bar Vera favours authenticity over performance.
The Art of Going Slow
Further excels at something many hotels claim but few genuinely achieve: slowing people down. Mornings begin quietly, often with breakfast delivered in picnic baskets to guest rooms. Jazz records spin softly in the background. Guests linger on wraparound balconies, stroll to nearby cafés, or wander down to Pererenan’s black-sand beach. There is no pressure to optimise every moment. No endless schedule of activities. Simply space to breathe. The experience feels intentionally analogue in a world increasingly dominated by constant stimulation.
Growing Carefully
Further continues to evolve. Additional guestrooms, a rooftop pool, expanded creative spaces, and the first international outpost of Melbourne’s beloved St Ali café are all part of the next chapter. Yet despite its growth, the vision remains remarkably consistent. The focus is still on community, craftsmanship, creativity, and connection. Not scale. Not spectacle.
A Different Vision of Bali
In many ways, Further represents an alternative future for hospitality on the island. Rather than creating another enclosed luxury compound, it embraces the existing culture, architecture, and rhythm of village life. Guests are invited to participate rather than observe. The experience feels deeply local without sacrificing comfort. Sophisticated without becoming exclusive. Design-driven without losing its soul.
Pererenan’s Quiet Creative Heart
Further Bali is not a hotel for checking things off a list. It is a place for slowing down, paying attention, and reconnecting with the simple pleasures of travel. Through thoughtful architecture, meaningful community integration, and a deeply considered sense of place, it offers one of Bali’s most rewarding contemporary hospitality experiences. For travellers seeking design, creativity, and genuine connection beyond the island’s resort culture, Further lives up perfectly to its name. A place that invites you to go further, by doing a little less.
