Nestled amid the lush rainforest landscapes of Payangan, north of Ubud, Anantara Ubud Bali Resort marked its second anniversary with Nature in Motion – A Celebration of Discovery, an immersive gathering that brought together Indonesian creativity, cultural heritage, wellness and local craftsmanship. Held on 26 October 2026, the celebration reflected the resort’s journey over the past two years, while highlighting its ongoing commitment to meaningful connections with the surrounding community and natural environment.
Since opening on 1 October 2024, the luxury retreat has cultivated an approach to hospitality shaped by personalised experiences, cultural encounters and a deeper appreciation of its natural surroundings. Its second anniversary provided an opportunity to bring these elements together through a programme designed around four chapters: Awaken, Belong, Unfold and Discover, collectively forming ABUD, the resort’s abbreviation.
The day began with Awaken, an invitation to reconnect with nature through movement and mindful experiences. Participants explored the surrounding village landscapes of Payangan on a three-kilometre run before gathering for breakfast at Kirana, where trigona honey from the resort’s own stingless bee sanctuary took centre stage. Led by the wellness and naturalist teams, the sanctuary forms part of the resort’s biodiversity initiatives, highlighting the important role of pollinators in maintaining the surrounding ecosystem.
The morning continued with a mat Pilates session at the Yoga Hall, led by Made Warnata, Director of Spa, Wellness & Recreation. Drawing on his background in Muay Thai, Taijutsu and traditional Balinese wellness, the session embraced a holistic approach to movement, encouraging participants to reconnect with body, mind and nature.
The next chapter, Belong, turned its attention to meaningful connections and creative partnerships. An intimate wedding showcase introduced guests to the resort’s romantic setting for destination weddings and personalised celebrations, while Bali-based Tuksedo Studio presented four handcrafted classic car recreations at the lobby, showcasing the precision and artistry of Indonesian automotive craftsmanship. An afternoon tea experience featuring Dilmah, set against the surrounding rainforest, offered a moment of relaxation amid the day’s programme.
Creativity took centre stage during Unfold, with a contemporary dance performance setting the tone for the afternoon. One of the celebration’s highlights was A Forest Affair, an exclusive fashion presentation by Indonesian designer Tities Sapoetra, presented in collaboration with Noor 8, a family-owned jewellery house with four decades of heritage.
The presentation formed part of Sundown, Tities Sapoetra’s signature recurring programme held in Bali once every four years. Its second edition brought together fashion, jewellery and nature-inspired artistry in a collaboration with Anantara Ubud, featuring a line-up of Indonesian public figures including Paula Verhoeven, Louise Anastasya, Rangga Moela, Mikaila Patritz, Ririn Dwi Ariyanti, Jonathan Frizzy, Mustanir Afif, Agla Artalidia, Kyku, Filipus Adhimas and Aurra Kharishma.
Beyond the runway, guests were invited to explore hands-on experiences inspired by the surrounding environment. A flower-arranging session celebrated the natural beauty of locally sourced blooms, while a natural body scrub-making experience, guided by the resort’s naturalist team, introduced coconut and coffee as traditional ingredients in holistic body care. As the afternoon progressed, wine selections presented in partnership with Pelita Makmur Perkasa were accompanied by a live saxophone performance, creating an atmosphere for conversation and connection.
As daylight softened over Payangan, the final chapter, Discover, introduced guests to Sandikala, the resort’s signature Balinese dusk ritual. Rooted in local tradition, the experience marked the transition from day to evening through a moment of reflection. The celebration continued at the Lobby Garden from 6pm, where live jazz, dining and wines brought together the resort’s partners, guests and friends for an evening of conviviality.
Beyond the anniversary festivities, Nature in Motion also offered a glimpse into the initiatives shaping Anantara Ubud Bali Resort’s future. Its commitment to responsible hospitality extends to biodiversity conservation, including the stingless bee sanctuary and efforts to protect the endangered Bali starling through its collaboration with Kehati Pertiwi Lestari Foundation. The resort also supports firefly conservation through its partnership with Bring Back The Light, founded by Wayan Wardika. Together with its Green Growth 2050 Gold Certification, these initiatives reflect an ongoing commitment to preserving Bali’s natural heritage.
Community engagement remains another important part of the resort’s philosophy. Throughout its anniversary month, the resort also organised a Blood Donation Drive, extending the celebration beyond hospitality through a simple yet meaningful act of giving.
Looking ahead, Anantara Ubud Bali Resort is preparing to introduce 15 exclusive one- and two-bedroom pool residences overlooking the river valley. Designed with access to the resort’s facilities and personalised services, the upcoming residences will mark a new chapter for the property, extending its approach to luxury living within the Payangan highlands.
Now home to 85 suites and pool villas, the resort continues to offer a collection of distinctive dining venues, Anantara Spa and immersive wellness programmes, alongside experiences that encourage guests to discover the cultural and natural richness of Ubud and its surroundings.
More than a milestone celebration, Nature in Motion reflected the people, traditions, partnerships and creative collaborations that continue to shape Anantara Ubud Bali Resort. As it enters its third year, the resort looks towards creating further journeys that celebrate the spirit of Bali while fostering a deeper connection between hospitality, culture and nature.
For more information, visit anantara.com.
