the telegraph: “potato head studios seminyak, bali, indonesia”

Telegraph expert rating: 9/ 10

“Travellers with a conscience will revel in all that luxurious Potato Head Studios has to offer: it’s a hip, progressive and creative destination that’s as good for the planet as it is for the body, soul and Instagram account.”

Location: 9/10

For years Potato Head Beach Club has been the place to go in trendy Seminyak – and, as its name suggests, Potato Head Studios is a part of the same beachfront property. For those looking for groovy nights and a loungey island vibe, this location can’t be better. Seminyak is an area known for its collection of clubs, cafés, restaurants and shops, and is between 30 and 60 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic.

Style and Character: 9/10

“Where good times do good” is the line Potato Head uses to describe how they operate. Sustainability is at the very heart of the company’s approach to hospitality, and has driven all aspects of design at Potato Head Studios – from walls that incorporate discarded bricks to furniture (designed by Max Lamb) made from recycled plastic, to fully biodegradable slippers. Upon check-in guests are welcomed like old friends and given a shot of jamu (a Javanese elixir) and zero-waste kit (water bottle, tote bag, lunch box, bamboo cutlery and more), and this sets the tone for a stay at ground-breaking property that is redefining contemporary Indonesian style.

Service and Facilities: 9/10

The hotel, which opened during the pandemic, forms part of what has become Desa Potato Head (“desa” means “village” in Indonesian) and the staff focus on creating a sense of community and belonging, inviting guests to feel at home everywhere on the property. There are five restaurants here, and an impressive list of facilities that centre on wellness, art, music and sustainability. While you can expect the usual resort offerings (with unusual twists), what stands out are the variety of experiences on offer (including cocktail making and regenerative gardening workshops), the art installations and Headstream (a studio, record store and digital streaming platform).

Rooms: 9/10

The contemporary studios – which look slightly industrial thanks to brick-coloured concrete walls, but are softened by handwoven fabrics and tapestries – offer a calming retreat from the busyness of Seminyak. The Sunrise and Bamboo studios are the standard rooms and although quite cosy, still have a comfy couch and desk space; the apartment-style Desa, Artist and Ocean Front studios are much larger. In all studios the wood-panelled bathroom has a Scandinavian sort of feel (the larger studios have deep wooden baths); the attention to detail in clever cabinetry is delightful and the made-from-recycled-plastic amenities is distinctly Potato Head.

Food and Drink: 9/10

Make sure your stay is long enough to enjoy a meal at each of Potato Head’s five restaurants, which take sustainability, innovation and Indonesian flavours pretty seriously. There’s the iconic Beach Club – sun loungers, cocktails, international dishes – which fringes two infinity pools; zero-waste seafood restaurant Ijen; futuristic Tanaman (serving innovative plant-based interpretations of Indonesian classics); rooftop Sunset Park, a jaw-dropping sundowner spot; and Kaum (“tribal recipes – modern approach”).

A hearty à la carte breakfast is served in a courtyard, and includes a good selection of egg options, sweets savouries, pastries, coffees, teas, juices. Most ingredients are locally sourced, or grown on Potato Head’s organic farms.

Value for Money: 9/10

Sunrise Studios start from 2,600,000 Indonesian rupiahs (£138) per night in low season, and from 3,500,000 Indonesian rupiahs (£186) per night in high season. Rate includes breakfast, a zero-waste kit, in-house PCR test, doctor access, the use of co-working facilities and experiences such as sustainability workshops, jamu-making workshop, beachfront fitness sessions, guided meditation and music listening sessions.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Yes, adapted rooms are available.

Family-Friendly?

Yes. Sweet Potato is the kids’ club which organises various (sustainable-focussed) activities, as well as children’s workouts.

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