Desa Potato Head has Made it to the List of the World’s 50 Best Hotels!

Desa Potato Head has made it to the global top, appearing in the list of the 50 best hotels worldwide. This year, it moved up from 40th to 21st place.

And it’s no surprise! This is far from a typical hotel. It’s more of a village where creativity blends seamlessly with comfort, and environmental consciousness becomes a way of life. It’s a space that attracts creative travelers, hedonists, and locals alike.

“We are incredibly grateful to be included in this list for the second year in a row. ‘50 Best’ is a benchmark of excellence in the hospitality industry, and we are proud to be a part of it. We founded Desa Potato Head on the philosophy of 'Good Times, Do Good' — a lifestyle that intertwines our culture with the mission of regeneration for ourselves, our community, and the land we live on. We believe that tourism, when done with the right intent, can have a positive impact,” the Desa Potato Head team shared on their official website.

The entire complex impresses with its architecture, featuring recycled and repurposed materials. Every detail is designed not just to offer a vacation but to provide an unforgettable experience filled with art, culture, and inspiration. Modern rooms stand alongside art installations, a lively beach club, sound stages and studios hosting concerts and festivals, a library, and unique concept stores and restaurants.

The architectural marvel begins upon arrival, where guests are greeted by a bamboo structure offering traditional Balinese water blessings accompanied by the sound of gongs. The facade is lined with over 1.5 million bricks, handcrafted using traditional Balinese techniques, establishing a strong connection to local culture. This seamlessly transitions to a pool tiled with handcrafted Batu Sakabumi stone.

Batu Sakabumi, a natural stone from Indonesia, is often used for pool tiling, walls, and floors. Known for its green-grey shade and texture, it keeps the surface cool even under the sun.

The beach club is housed in an impressive curved structure made from reclaimed window shutters collected from old houses and buildings across Indonesia, repurposed into key design elements.

In the rooms, open walls, an abundance of natural materials, and mid-century modern furniture create a sense of tropical modernism. This design style, originating from the mid-20th century, is characterized by simple lines, minimalist design, the use of natural materials like wood, and functionality.

Imagine Indonesian cuisine prepared with culinary techniques and ideas from around the world. The "farm-to-table" principle is followed in all six restaurants scattered across the complex, from the beach club to the rooftop. An open bar and the Akademi lab offer modern cocktails with traditional local drinks like arak and jamu. Be sure to check out the Dome restaurant, which we've previously covered.

This is the first Asian hotel brand to become carbon-neutral, with a zero-waste concept. This means the company’s greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to zero through renewable energy use, increased energy efficiency, and participation in carbon offset programs like tree planting or supporting carbon absorption projects.

The Sweet Potato Lab, located on the premises, develops and implements innovative solutions for waste recycling and eco-friendly product creation. The lab is an integral part of the hotel infrastructure, allowing guests not only to enjoy their stay but also to see how zero-waste principles and sustainable recycling work in practice.

For example, recycled plastic and food waste, like oyster shells, are used to make baskets, trays, and trash bins. Palm leaves, fabric scraps, and coconut shells are turned into biodegradable slippers for the rooms. Guests are also provided with reusable water bottles that can be refilled throughout the hotel.

There's something for everyone here. Guests can immerse themselves in the island’s vibrant creative culture through various activities such as ikat weaving and pottery classes. Diverse modern wellness programs include yoga, hypnotherapy, and breathwork, while the multi-sensory nightclub even has its own digital streaming station for budding artists.

This platform allows young and aspiring artists to stream their music or performances in real time via the internet, offering a way for musicians and other creatives to share their art with a wide audience.

Voting for the "50 Best Hotels in the World" is conducted by over 600 independent hospitality industry experts, including hotel owners, journalists, and seasoned travelers. Each expert votes for several hotels based on personal experience, evaluating them on service, design, uniqueness, and sustainability. The results are anonymous and used to compile the final list.

Experts usually visit hotels anonymously to get a real guest experience, ensuring an unbiased and honest evaluation. These anonymous visits guarantee that hotels aren’t prepared specifically for the judges, making the process fairer.

If you’re looking for more than just a vacation where every moment is filled with creativity and environmental respect, this is the place for you. Here, you can not only relax but also see how tourism can be eco-friendly. Being ranked among the world’s best hotels confirms that Desa Potato Head is setting a new standard in hospitality.

Starting price: $350

Restaurants: Kaum, Ijen, Tanaman, Akademi, Dome, Beach Club

Bars: Potato Head Beach Club and Sunset Park

On-site amenities: beach, library, workshops, waste recycling tour, pools, spa/wellness center, fitness center.

Sources: seminyak.potatohead.com, indonesiaexpat.id