Gdas Bali offers vegan wellness with a hint of hip-hop in Ubud - Hotel Insider


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Gdas Bali Health and Wellness Resort, in the cultural and spiritual enclave of Ubud – a verdant oasis contrasting with the buzzy beachfront bars of tourist hotspot Seminyak – is making waves in the retreat scene.

With 27 rooms and villas, this boutique sanctuary is the brainchild of Russell Simmons, the entrepreneur and founder of hip-hop label Def Jam who followed his love of yoga to Indonesia from the US in 2018.

Tucked away in the artistic village of Mas, known for its generations of skilled artists and stone carvers, Gdas Bali lies just off the beaten path.

Officially an hour's drive from the airport, but more realistically a scenic two-hour journey through Bali's lush landscapes due to the island’s notoriously heavy traffic, the resort promises a haven of tranquillity and artistic heritage.

The National checked in to a Grand Deluxe room for two nights to experience Gdas Bali’s all-vegan vision for wellness with a hint of hip-hop.

The welcome

A purification ceremony is offered on arrival at Gdas Bali. Photo: Gdas Bali
A purification ceremony is offered on arrival at Gdas Bali. Photo: Gdas Bali

At Gdas Bali, the welcome ritual is an experience in itself. A ladle of cool coconut water is gently poured over your head, symbolising a fresh start and setting the tone for a transformative stay.

This ceremony – a pared-down version of the traditional Balinese melukat purification ritual – instantly connects you with the island's rich cultural heritage.

Post-ceremony, the check-in process is a breeze. Guests are welcomed with cold towels and a refreshing iced tea, much-needed respite after a long journey in the humid Balinese heat.

Then, it's a leisurely stroll along the resort’s winding wooden walkways, leading you to one of the four interconnected “houses” set over two levels.

Each house faces either the lush neighbouring rice paddies – offering some of the best views – or the Bali Eden, the hotel's wellness retreat, which is set for its grand opening this month.

The rustic charm of traditional keys to unlock the door to each room contrasts with the contemporary flair of the black-and-white open lobby, and a flower-filled bath overlooking the fields is ready for you to take a refreshing soak on arrival.

The neighbourhood

Gdas Bali is down a winding driveway off the backstreets of Mas, a spot that's all about embracing Bali's spiritual and cultural heart.

It is a perfect base for exploring – it's close enough to the action but still a peaceful sanctuary to return to at the end of the day.

The hotel’s free shuttle service is your key to unlocking the treasures of central Ubud, or local taxis can be ordered via Bali’s Careem equivalent, Grab, to whisk you into the town.

Here, you'll find yourself wandering through a maze of lively streets, a vibrant contrast to the resort’s serene, green setting.

The room

A Garden Deluxe room with views over the rice paddy fields. Photo: Gdas Bali
A Garden Deluxe room with views over the rice paddy fields. Photo: Gdas Bali

Like elegant glass boxes nestled in nature, each Deluxe room at Gdas Bali features full-height windows, immersing you in the surrounding beauty of rice paddies and jungle greenery.

Colourful artworks on the walls and intricate ornaments dotted around the room’s plush king-size bed are all created by painters and craftsmen from Mas, adding a touch of authenticity.

The generously sized bathroom is luxurious, with green marble counters, a glass-enclosed rain shower and a deep stone bathtub hidden from view by lush vegetation.

In Bali’s wet season, the tropical rain taps gently on the houses’ glass-domed roofs, adding a soothing, rhythmic backdrop to the peaceful ambience.

The service

The staff, predominantly from the local area, bring genuine Balinese hospitality to the hotel – they’re more than happy to talk through the culture of the surrounding area or make recommendations for bars.

From the welcoming smiles at the front desk to the culinary expertise of the chefs, the service is warm and authentic throughout.

The nightly turndown service comes with thoughtful gifts and delicious glutinous cakes nested in bamboo baskets, and room service is swift throughout the night.

The scene

The property has a communal pool area featuring wooden loungers and cabanas. Photo: Gdas Bali
The property has a communal pool area featuring wooden loungers and cabanas. Photo: Gdas Bali

The ambience at Gdas Bali is one of relaxed sophistication, with the boutique pool area a particular hotspot for unwinding in the sun on wooden loungers or in cabanas.

The resort has a laid-back elegance that feels like an escape from the tourist-filled streets of Bali, with figures from the worlds of hip-hop and yoga often dining in the lobby.

A yoga shala overlooking the rice fields and surrounding jungle hosts daily classes. Or you can head to the reading room and its shelves of interesting books from around the world.

Daily complimentary cultural experiences, including hat making and walks to the local village, offer more opportunities to connect with Balinese tradition.

The Bali Eden wellness retreat will feature a traditional bathhouse, where guests can immerse themselves in warmed, filtered spring water and breathe in steam scented with organic herbs, spices and aromatherapy oils.

It will also include cold and warm plunge pools, salt therapy and one of the only in-house IV drip facilities in Bali.

The food

Tangi is an all-vegan restaurant. Photo: Gdas Bali
Tangi is an all-vegan restaurant. Photo: Gdas Bali

The all-vegan Tangi Restaurant is a culinary haven for plant-based food fans, serving everything from enormous slabs of tempeh steak to jackfruit spring rolls and the Indonesian classic gado gado (vegetables with tofu in peanut sauce) from a busy open kitchen.

The restaurant's name is inspired by a Balinese Hindu traditional story, in which the saint Dang Hyang Nirartha planted a sacred stick at a nearby templed that miraculously grew into a tangi tree with golden flowers.

A standout dish is the teriyaki wok-fried “chicken”, which delivers a burst of flavours so authentic, it gives the real thing a serious run for its money.

However, be wary of the spice levels – unless you're up for a face-tingling adventure, ask for a milder version.

There’s another clever substitution at breakfast – a salmon benedict made out of papaya.

A Balinese curry served at Tangi Restaurant. Photo: Gdas Bali
A Balinese curry served at Tangi Restaurant. Photo: Gdas Bali

The cake selection changes each day, adding to pan-Asian dessert options like sticky mango rice, an oat brownie artfully plated with orange zest, plus pandan crepes doused in palm sugar sauce.

You won’t find any alcohol on the menu at Gdas Bali, but there are plenty of smoothies, mocktails and several versions of the traditional Balinese herbal drink loloh featuring turmeric, ginger and vegan honey.

While the restaurant closes at 10pm, the full menu can be served to your room 24 hours a day. Service is speedy, but it comes with a 20 per cent surcharge.

Highs and lows

A full week of plant-based meals might not be for everyone, but following guest feedback, the hotel is considering introducing a new restaurant with non-vegan options.

The hotel's hidden location in the forest, while adding to its mystique, can be a tad challenging for first-time visitors to find. Also, the attentive service, though warm and personalised, might feel a little overwhelming for those seeking a more private stay.

Before plunging into your flower-filled bath, watch out for walkers ambling along the tucked-away path just in front of the rice paddy rooms.

The insider tip

The resort is a sanctuary of peace, but if you're itching for a change of pace then hop on the hotel’s free hourly shuttle service to central Ubud.

The first stop is at the must-visit Monkey Forest, an enchanting sanctuary where playful primates are the stars of the show, and then it’s on to the art market surrounded by cocktail bars, each with its own unique flair.

The verdict

A notable highlight is the flower-filled bathtub that awaits guests on arrival. Photo: Gdas Bali
A notable highlight is the flower-filled bathtub that awaits guests on arrival. Photo: Gdas Bali

Gdas Bali is off to a promising start, and it’s fast becoming a notable addition to the island's flourishing wellness scene.

Its combination of traditional Balinese hospitality and a deep connection with nature, courtesy of those floor-to-ceiling windows, sets it apart.

The Bali Eden retreat promises to enhance the hotel's appeal significantly, offering a range of relaxation options ideal for yogis and wellness enthusiasts.

Once completed, Gdas Bali is poised to become a go-to destination for those seeking both relaxation and a genuine connection to culture in the heart of Ubud.

The bottom line

Grand Deluxe rooms officially start at $700 per night but can be booked in low season for about half that price, with the rate including daily breakfast and yoga plus a complimentary spa treatment and airport transfers on stays for three nights or more.

Check-in is at 2pm and checkout is at noon, with early room access available from 4am for an additional charge; gdasbali.com.

This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future.

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The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go...

Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

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Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

The finalists

Player of the Century, 2001-2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ronaldinho

Coach of the Century, 2001-2020: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jose Mourinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Sir Alex Ferguson

Club of the Century, 2001-2020: Al Ahly (Egypt), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain)

Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

Club of the Year: Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid

Coach of the Year: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), Hans-Dieter Flick (Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)

Agent of the Century, 2001-2020: Giovanni Branchini, Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola

Indoor Cricket World Cup

Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar

Director: Neeraj Pandey

Rating: 2.5/5

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

How Filipinos in the UAE invest

A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.

Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).

Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

The specs

  Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now

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Scoreline:

Everton 4

Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', ​​​​​​​Digne 56', Walcott 64'

Manchester United 0

Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Directed by: Shaka King

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons

Four stars

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Updated: December 22, 2023, 6:02 PM`