Nirjhara, a family-owned retreat, seamlessly blends Balinese-style sustainable luxury with a touch of French flair

Nirjhara, named after the Sanskrit word for waterfall, represents a fresh addition to hospitality in the Tabanan Regency, Bali’s renowned ‘rice bowl’ with its expansive paddy fields. Inspired by a family vacation in 1996, the Tran Tien family — captivated by Bali’s charm — envisioned a hotel that harmonises with the island’s unique natural beauty. Twenty-five years later, after meticulous planning, execution and unwavering dedication, Nirjhara officially opened its doors in 2021. It symbolised the multicultural Tran Tien family’s lasting love and showed their dedication to this idyllic haven.

This unique resort is a tapestry of sustainable luxury woven with intricate details that celebrate the art of slow living. Hailing from France, the Tran Tien family brings a unique sense of aesthetics and hospitality that imbues every aspect of Nirjhara’s design and service.

From the carefully chosen interiors celebrating Indonesian craftsmanship to the eco-conscious practices ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding environment, Nirjhara is not just a destination but a harmonious fusion of cultures, nature and hospitality.

Minutes from the Pura Tanah Lot, Nirjhara offers an array of accommodation choices, including modern treehouses, one- or two-bedroom pool villas and The Residence — a sprawling 600 sq m villa with its own infinity pool.

Driven by the family’s ambition to create a resort genuinely built upon the ethos of eco-consciousness, the 25 suites and villas at Nirjhara — including seven Canopy Suites, one-bedroom treehouses within the property’s luxuriant coconut grove — have all been meticulously designed and constructed to minimise their environmental footprint.

For example, upcycled and reclaimed materials are used extensively throughout the property, such as reclaimed hevea wood procured from rubber plantations and natural stone sourced within the archipelago for their exterior structures.

Local sirap roofing — a centuries-old technique that uses bamboo shingles to construct roofs — is also used. This technique is known for its environmentally friendly properties. The interiors are decorated in earthy tones, honouring Indonesian culture with woven furniture made by local craftsmen, coconut panelling and teak wood carvings.

Nirjhara’s restaurant, Ambu, celebrates Bali’s culinary traditions with a modern twist. In embracing the ‘slow food’ movement, over 90% of the ingredients used for cooking and food preparation in the resort are sourced from their own herb and vegetable garden and neighbouring farms. Situated along the river is The Shala, a bamboo-clad yoga pavilion designed by award-winning local sustainable design and architecture firm Ibuku. It overlooks a magnificent waterfall. The Retreat is built around the resort’s tranquil reflection pool, a spa and wellness centre incorporating age-old healing practices, two Finnish saunas, and a fully equipped fitness centre. 

Advocating social responsibility

Managed by Dimitri Tran, second-generation owner of the Tran Trien family, and fellow Frenchman and managing director Adrien Portier, Nirjhara is expanding. It will add 16 more villas, a second restaurant and an extension to its spa. These new installations are expected to be ready by June 2026.

Nestled in a verdant jungle beside a cascading waterfall, Nirjhara prioritises sustainability through three key principles: Community, land and climate. The Tran Tien family has been intimately involved in the resort’s growth since its inception, recognising the significant impact of Bali’s tourism economy on the island.

The owners consciously prioritise respecting the resort’s natural surroundings at every step to preserve its landscape’s natural aura. For example, they established an outreach programme to foster relations between the resort and neighbouring villages by supporting their traditional events and religious ceremonies.

Additionally, they contributed financially to upgrading surrounding public roads and a local school. Villagers from the vicinity comprise a significant portion of the resort’s workforce.

Nirjhara also prides itself on adhering to a strict no-single-use plastic policy. Paired with a state-of-the-art water purification system and bottling plant on-site, this commitment is further enhanced by an innovative wastewater management system. Implemented to purify all sewage, their bio septic tanks ensure that only uncontaminated water is released into the nearby ocean. Additionally, advanced thermal insulation and inverter technology ensure minimal energy consumption from air conditioning. 

Journey beyond the jungle

For those seeking unique adventures at sea, Nirjhara also offers tailored journeys aboard Vela, its luxury private charter yacht introduced in 2022. Crafted by American naval architect Tresno Seery and a Parisian interior designer, Vela combines sustainability with a modern take on the traditional Indonesian phinisi boat.

With superior hydrodynamics and sailing capabilities, Vela invites exploration of destinations like Komodo National Park, the diving paradise of Raja Ampat, the lesser-known Wakatobi and Maluku Islands.

Within Vela, a spacious lounge offers panoramic views of the sea. Consistent with Nirjhara’s ethos, the yacht has locally custom-made teakwood furniture crafted from sustainable sources. It accommodates up to 12 explorers in six stylish cabins and is attended to by an 18-member crew.

Complete with a well-equipped bar and wine cellar, Vela also features an al fresco deck for yoga sessions and indoor and outdoor dining areas.  

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