It’s not every day that our attention is directed to a hotel whose elegance and amenities match the most high-end hotel chains while preserving the intimate atmosphere of a boutique hotel, and — this is our favorite part — does all of this while keeping in mind the vivid greenery that is in the heart of Bali. Located right in the center of Ubud — a few steps away from the Ubud Monkey Forest, to be precise — Bisma Eight provides guests with the ultimate Bali experience. The sleek simplicity of the marble-tiled lobby is reflected throughout the rest of the venue’s contemporary design and architecture, including at the dreamy infinity pool overlooking the forest’s lush canopy.
What really caught our eye about Bisma Eight, however, and what makes it worth a visit even if you already live in Bali, are their two on-site restaurants, Embers and Copper, which provide two distinctive (yet equally dazzling) experiences, based on what you’re looking for.
First off, we’ll start with Embers: this is the star of the show at Bisma Eight. With glossy black granite tables, and bamboo and wooden architecture, this is as chic as chic gets. Perfect for special celebrations, it’s one of those places that maintains intimacy and elegance without being stuffy.
While there’s a little bit of everything across their several different menus, the Mediterranean dinner menu is their forte. Dive into a succulent striploin steak with red onion chutney or a lighter but still as flavorful pan-roasted barramundi with lobster foam. For a fully authentic Mediterranean meal that’ll transport you right to Greece or Morocco, round out your meal with the eggplant tahini soup, and split a savory hummus platter or (literally) break bread with a selection of dips and homemade breads.
There are also separate breakfast and all-day menus for those who want even more choices. To kick off your morning, choose from a range of Western favorites like avocado toast or Indonesian classics including nasi goreng and bubur ayam. And pizza lovers will have their pick of distinctly unique options: the “Ubudian” pizza is a great choice for vegetarians, while meat lovers will want to taste the minced lamb and brown butter pie. During both breakfast and lunch, guests can also directly pick their own vegetables from the adjacent garden (which we’ll talk about in just a minute!), which the chef will whip into a salad or plate of sautéed greens for the table.
And of course, no meal is complete without a drink. In addition to your classic whiskeys and spirits, the bartenders at Embers’ cocktail bar will also happily whip up one of their signature cocktails, such as the Agricola, which features rice wine, pandan, and sugar cane juice, or The Wall, which gets its sweet and smoky aroma from a mixture of cold drip coffee, pineapple liquor, and air-compressed cacao nibs.
But the best part about Embers — and what makes it stand out in a sea of similar high-end restaurants — is its commitment to taste, innovation, and sustainability. The interior dining area is linked to a pesticide-free vegetable garden which is (you guessed it) where the majority of the fruits and vegetables on your plate are sourced from. The rest of the harvest on the menu is transported from a secondary, similarly zero-waste garden located a bit further out in Tegallalang.
The other big attraction at Bisma Eight is Copper, which we like to think of as Embers’ younger, more laidback but still just as cool, sibling. If you’re the kind of person who’s into something just a tad more casual, how does a rooftop bar and restaurant set against the vibrant Ubud monkey forest sound?
The all-day dining menu here is a little more eclectic, with organic red rice bowls and a mains section that ranges from tempeh tacos to pad thai. The kids’ menu and tantalizing choice of mocktails also make Copper the more family-friendly choice.
As with Embers, the ethos behind Copper is to preserve and highlight the environment, and vegans in particular will be thrilled to hear that they have a specific all-day plant-based menu that’s more than just your usual platter of fried tofu (although there is a refined crispy tofu with palm sugar dressing dish).
Lastly, there are two fun offers at Copper that are worth highlighting. The first is their “Romantic Dinner” option; book at least 24 hours in advance, and you and your loved one will be treated to a delicious rooftop dinner for just two. The second unique offering at Copper is their daily “Rooftop Sundown Buzz” where, from 5pm to 7pm, all their signature cocktails are BOGO.
The produce at Copper also comes straight from one of Bisma Eight’s all-natural, chemical-free gardens, and the meat and seafood are all locally and ethically sourced.
In fact, every feature of Bisma Eight was crafted with the environment in mind. Both Embers and Copper are ideal for a date night depending on the mood you’re going for — and if you want to kick things up a notch, why not book yourselves a little staycation to extend your magical night? Prior to your meal, you could even pay a visit to their Mandala Spa, where locally-crafted oils are combined with traditional Balinese techniques to give you the ultimate blissful, tension-relieving experience.
And following your delicious meal, take a leisurely stroll back to your two-storey private villa (complete with your own pool, of course), or one of the cozy garden suites facing the tranquil bamboo courtyard.
More information about Embers and Copper, along with the villas, suites, and spa — as well as how to make reservations, and the various deals currently on offer — can be found on the Bisma Eight website.
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