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TUCKED away on the edge of a river valley thick with jungle just 1.5 km north of central Ubud, The Purist Villas & Spa is a tranquil boutique resort weaving traditional Indonesian culture with contemporary European design.
Founded by art connoisseurs Yvonne Hulst and Alberto Cortes, who combine the essence of local culture with stylish architecture across their growing international portfolio of boutique properties, The Purist is the perfect base for the culturally curious to explore Bali’s vibrant living heritage and Ubud’s world-class dining scene.
From the tall duck egg blue walls and cascading ferns to the serene rivulet flowing through the intimate grounds, the resort’s sleek walkways create the refined atmosphere of an outdoor fine art gallery, highlighting the traditional wood and stone carvings and rare statues from Indonesia’s outer islands.
As each of the 18 uniquely styled and lavishly appointed villas has its own identity, every element of the boutique resort whispers artisanship and creativity, reflecting the founders’ vision to combine high-end hospitality with the archipelago’s extraordinary cultural diversity.
According to The Purist’s Co-founder, Alberto Cortes said our aim has always been to envelop our guests in an ambiance of refined luxury and cultural richness. Our wish is to enable our guests to connect with Bali and Indonesia’s many spiritual and artistic traditions.
“That’s why we’ve furnished The Purist Villas with only the most beautiful and authentic artifacts that we’ve slowly accumulated on our travels across the Indonesian islands. From large-scale Kamasan paintings (a sacred Balinese style dating back to the 17th century) and mesmerizing sculptures to exquisite textiles and alluring light features, each villa promises guests a truly inspiring stay,” he said.
He explained that for those seeking to delve deeper into Bali’s time-honored traditions, The Purist offers daily cultural activities. Guests can learn how to craft delicate offerings to the gods, canang sari, as well as the magnificent multi-tiered gebogan, which are created for ceremonies.
“We invite all our guests to immerse themselves in authentic Balinese traditions, providing them with a holistic experience that enriches the mind, body, and soul. With its sumptuous range of spices and aromatics, Balinese cuisine is known for its fragrance and bold flavors, which guests can explore during a cooking class on the edge of the jungle,” said Desi Kurniasih, General Manager of The Purist Villas.
The sounds of nature and morning birdsong drift up to the elevated yoga pavilion, where guests who book directly with the resort can start their day with a complimentary one-hour yoga session. The verdant backdrop of bamboo thickets and frangipanis in full bloom also create the ideal ambiance for The Purist Spa’s signature massages, featuring Southeast Asia’s most trusted techniques performed by highly trained therapists.
When the tropical warmth subsides and the afternoon breeze rolls in, Cafe Balisimo beckons with a complimentary afternoon tea of local and international delicacies. With its earthy terracotta flourishes and subtle soundtrack of jazz and bossa nova, Balisimo offers a transcendent dining experience overlooking the main pool and river valley.
“Proudly celebrating Indonesia’s centuries-old culinary heritage, authentic Balinese and Indonesian dishes make up 70% of the menu. At Balisimo, we believe that food is one of the best ways to connect with culture, which is why every local dish on our menu tells a story of our country’s rich — and extremely tasty —culinary traditions,” Desi Kurniasih concluded. [traveltext.id]
