The drive along Bali’s coast, amongst honking moped drivers, past roadside Warungs (street food stands), palm forests and crashing waves, is captivating. On arrival in Pekutatan, a quiet village road lined with temples and frangipani trees leads to a clearing and, as if out of nowhere, a huge, brightly illuminated wall of neon signs appears, advertising holiday pleasures in giant letters. It would look more at home in Las Vegas than it does in Bali. There’s a small, secret door built into it, so plain that it’s easy to miss. Open it, and enter a lush green jungle, a narrow path weaves between tropical plants before reaching a landscape of treehouses. We are at LOST LINDENBERG, a new guest collective far removed from Bali‘s garish mass tourism.
Surfing waves at sunrise against a backdrop of pristine black lava sand; enjoying peace and quiet in the open-plan communal spaces; practising yoga under the pergola; enjoying bonfires on the beach, self-harvested coconuts in the turquoise pool or an aroma massage in the jungle spa; in the evenings, sumptuous plant-based dinners at the restaurant and the sharing of stories.
From 15th of July 2022, all this will be possible at LOST LINDENBERG, the fifth project, and the first in Indonesia, from the young Frankfurt hospitality company, LINDENBERG. Just as with their previous concepts, LOST LINDENBERG focuses on the collective experience of the guests, who are invited to spend their time together in the property’s communal areas. Retreat is offered in each of the eight lovingly-designed rooms, which are elevated high amongst the treetops of the West Balinese palm jungle, set on a long and pristine, glistening black lava sand beach.
“The inspiration for this concept was the magic, this sweet, warm melancholy of the location, the black lava sand and the fantastic waves. Not just another rattan-clad honeymoon hotel, but instead, the courage to settle by a wild sea, to embrace surfing while at the same time satisfy the need for urbanity. LOST was born out of a chance visit and has become a place of longing, a new home for us and anyone else who fancies coming along.” (Denise Omurca, Managing Director, LINDENBERG).
LOST LINDENBERG is part of the Pekutatan community, a small Hindu village on Bali‘s west coast that is largely untouched by tourism. A hidden retreat surrounded by temples, ruled by nature and sacred spirits – and only a stone‘s throw from the famous Medewi Surf Point.
There are eight rooms of two different types. Guests can catch a glimpse of the waves from each of the treehouses, but the two Ocean Panorama Suites, which sit in front row position, look directly out to sea; the six Jungle Panorama Suites offer views of the jungle and temples. The 45m2 suites are all furnished with contemporary art, sustainable linen bedding, custom made Gaya ceramics, air conditioning and spacious bathrooms. SURF Home to Bali‘s longest wave, Medewi Surf Point attracts surfers of all levels, and surfing is an essential element of staying at LOST. The hotel‘s own LOST BEACH is still a little known surf spot, and included in the room rates are surf sessions with local instructors. Boards made in-house in collaboration with Pyzel Surfboards are available for hire.
The solid, seven-metre-long wooden table, where guests meet for conversations and opulent meals, is the heart of LOST LINDENBERG. The culinary concept here celebrates nature with its seasonal and local flavours and offers a plant-based approach to Balinese home cooking with western influences. All ingredients are cultivated at LOST or sourced from nearby organic permacultures. Choose from the likes of homemade granola, tropical fruits and coconut French toast for breakfast, and sumptuous rice plates with a variety of spicy sambals (chilli pastes) for dinner. The poolside bar serves classic long drinks, local kombuchas and seasonal cocktails.
The small spa is located in LOST’s jungle. Built in the style of a gladak, the traditional wooden houses originally used for storing crops, the site is now a place of tranquillity. Balinese massages smooth muscles strained by the surf; treatments are inspired by local rituals and aromatherapy, filling the spa with scents of chamomile, lavender, lemongrass and bergamot.
Alexis Dornier and Studio Jencquel are responsible for LOST’s architecture. “The main idea was to create an unusual, dreamy experience in the midst of a mystical jungle. We imagined spaces and walkways high off the ground. Constructed beside tall coconut trees, the staggered towers provide a glimpse of the sea in front. The towers are connected by a so-called highline, an elevated walkway pointing towards the sea. We wanted to give the feeling of walking in a different world, of resting on a floating ship, elevated and safe, with the wild jungle at your doorstep. Grouped close together, the towers form a quasi village in the trees, a small floating society. LOST is designed with great attention to detail, with examples of the traditional contrasted by exaggerations. The predominant material is sustainably-sourced wood in various patterns and directions, the floors are covered with Bali green stone, and brass is used as an accent in the whole composition. With LOST we move in a dream world, somewhere between fiction and reality.” (Alexis Dornier)
The interior concept as well as additional architectural elements are designed by Studio Jencquel. “The interiors are warm and cosy, as if they want to embrace us, integrating linen fabrics, lava stone, tropical hardwood, burnt teak and river stones. The colours and materials are locally sourced. The wooden blinds in the bathroom blur the line between outdoors and indoors, letting the sea breeze in while providing a sense of protection from the hot sun. Panoramic windows allow us to spot boats passing by on the horizon. The furniture, the lamps, the ceramic tableware and almost all the accessories in this project were custom designed by Studio Jencquel. The underlying theme of melancholy and darkness is strongly felt throughout: a neon scar on my sweet melancholy.” (Max Jencquel, Studio Jencquel)
“The landscape design is an extension of the architectural footprint (or vice versa). The highline connecting the towers is actually the continuation of a path that begins in the garden, penetrates the buildings and ends at the black lava sand beach. The path begins at the entrance past the neon installation and leads us first through a tropical forest. The variety of plants here is huge: heliconias, ferns, Bodhi trees, banana trees, Banyan trees, Majapahit trees, Baobab trees, Pule trees, bromeliads to name but a few. Inside the forest, we encounter moments such as a mossy rock turned fountain, a bench for meditating by a shrine, an enclosed garden where guests can listen to and read poetry by Artur Becker, and an enormous Pule tree in the middle. Beyond the forest, the path continues on to grasslands, a vast area close to the reception that extends to approximately the middle of the property and in which one can find every grass species available here on Bali. The landscape changes as we move from one zone to the next, and rainwater is channelled into swales of river rock that look like streams (or rivers in the rainy season). There is a sacred spring and, next to it, a large, carefully placed river rock set between two lava stone temples. Bougainvillaeas and fragrant “lady of the night” are planted generously around the dining and lounge areas. Tower trees are planted next to the tall buildings to appease the size and dimensions of the architectural giants and make them appear somewhat smaller. Finally, a hidden path leads to the beach through a forest of pandan trees.” (Max Jencquel, Studio Jencquel).
The curation and use of artistic works constitutes an essential part in all of LINDENBERG’s concepts. The art at LOST LINDENBERG plays with the eclecticism between Indonesian tradition, nature and urban lifestyles. To this end, the LINDENBERG team sourced local Indonesian antiques from all eras, such as vases, baskets and statues. These items contrast with contemporary photographs by, among others, Indonesian artist Prawobo and British photographer Annie Collinge. In the entrance area, the thick tropical jungle is interrupted by a neon sign installation by renowned Frankfurt artist and Golden Lion winner, Tobias Rehberger. “The bewildering collection of colourful messages represents the noisy world that most visitors probably want to escape from and certainly were not expecting to find here in the jungle on Bali‘s west coast. My installation is intended as a staged transition, a final, almost ritual farewell to the hustle and bustle that visitors can literally leave behind when they discover the hidden entrance and step through the secret opening in the wall into the tranquil paradise of LOST LINDENBERG.” (Tobias Rehberger, artist)
LOST LINDENBERG operates as far as possible in an environmentally friendly, low-waste manner. Solar panels supply the property with energy, and fruits and vegetables from LOST’s own permaculture are used in the restaurant. All products such as soaps and toilet paper, are produced regionally and fairly; litter is collected in weekly beach clean-ups; and the restaurant – like all LINDENBERG projects – is entirely plant-based (free of animal products). In order to contribute to the local community, LINDENBERG founded LOST BUNCH, an educational programme with local surfers that supports, encourages and opens up new prospects for children and young adults in Medewi. Many of these young people are passionate about surfing, but have no access to educational institutions. The programme combines surfing lessons with classes in subjects such as English, sustainability and hospitality with the hope of opening up more opportunities to them in the future. Further information: @lostbunch
-Project description and images provided by Alexis Dornier
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