Bali is no stranger to a decent hotel. The Indonesian island has been a tourist hot spot since the 1920s, with Aussies flocking to its shores for its warm weather, even warmer people, and surf galore. A surging population of hotels have blossomed to accommodate this ever present troupe of visitors, with stylish suites and flashy amenities the standard. Standing out from the pack is hard to do, which is why newcomer Further Hotel deserves your attention. 

The self-described ‘diffused hotel’ is settled in Pererenan, the village neighbouring bustling Canggu and its army of bars and restaurants. This angular build is rich in earthy tones and textures and while it’s easy on the eyes, it’s far from your average design-savvy stay. This brutalist build, dreamt up by MORQ and styled by Studio Wenden, is less accommodation, more lifestyle concept. Unlike many of Bali’s current accommodation offerings, this isn’t an all-inclusive resort with an adjoining kids club and a pool, but a petite, boutique establishment. There are currently just 10 rooms to choose from, a cluster of king bed and twin bed suites, each oozing as cool as the next.

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Designed with Bali in mind

Further Hotel’s room design takes cues from traditional Balinese architecture, weaving in some open walling to allow natural light and air flow through. A semi-open bathing area (that’s an outdoor shower in layman’s terms) nudges a minimalist sleeping area with its floor-based beds. Studio Wenden has dressed the space in what it calls ‘restrained luxury’ – think dark, soft linens, and black leather, walls not shy of some photography.

But don’t fret – there are mod cons too. Think automated black out blinds, surround sound, mood lighting. Oh and all the extras that you could dream of to really jazz up your stay – pre-batched Old Fashioned or Negroni sit in the mini bar, next to a selection of teas and coffees from Melbourne powerhouse ST ALI. Bespoke toiletries in the bathroom come courtesy of Jakarta’s Oaken Lab, and palo santo and photography books sit stacked on the coffee table in the lounge, next to a record player at your disposal.

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Not just a hotel

The Further Hotel family extends outside of its rooms. In the same building you’ll also find a joint boutique between Noosa surfing darlings Thomas Surfboards and Bali-based clothing label Smile. It’s the first overseas outpost for Thomas, and makes complete sense given that Bali’s famed longboard break Batu Bolong is around the corner. Foodies will be pleased to hear that there’s also a resident restaurant – Bar Vera which comes courtesy of Brett Hospitality Group, the crew behind Canggu favourites Mason and Backroom. Executive Chef Ben Cross and Head Chef Keir Ballantyne, a Scotsman who spent time working in Melbourne’s McConnell Group, have dreamt up a menu inspired by Paris wine bars. The menu celebrates French favourites like decadent soufflés, and pumpkin pithivier. While traditionally Bali’s wine reputation is lacklustre, Bar Vera begs to differ with a handful of European drops collected from the likes of regional France and Italy. 

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More to come

But while already a stylish one-stop shop, this is just the beginning for Further Hotel – this is just stage one of the development. The next few stages will see the hotel expand into surrounding blocks both next door to the existing hotel and down the road. The same design, the same ethos, just a slightly different location. Initial plans are to welcome a handful of more rooms, these ones with adjoining tropical gardens and plunge pools for those who believe a pool to be a Bali non-negotiable. Plus there’s talk of a communal rooftop pool with an adjoining bar (run by the Mason crew of course). And that’s not all. Further Hotel will help to bring Melbourne coffee house ST ALI to Bali in coming months.

If infinity pools and beach clubs are what you crave, then this is not the place for you. But if you’re after a stay that has a cool factor in spades (alongside a generous sprinkling of luxe extras), Further Hotel is right up your alley.

For more information or to book, visit furtherhotel.com