7 Best Airbnbs in Bali For Basking in Lush Landscapes

From built bamboo houses and sculptural villas to a treehouse with its own saunaPhoto: Beyond That WallBali has become a base for some of Southeast Asia’s more interesting architecture—blending Hindu principles with modern design innovation. An island that is often pigeonholed to infinity pools and rice-paddy views, the tropical destination is also home to working rice terraces still farmed by hand, daily temple offerings, and craft traditions passed down over generations. The island splits into distinct scenes depending where you land: Ubud is for jungle and design, Canggu and Seseh for surf, the north for fewer crowds. Denpasar, Bali’s international airport, puts most of it within two hours. From a jungle hideaway with its own café to a sculptural house by one of the island’s best-known architects, here’s where to stay in Bali.Architect-Designed HomePerks: Private infinity pool, mountain view, outdoor shower, private balcony, private outdoor area, air conditioning, building staff, daily housekeepingThis villa—a 25-year-old structure originally built by well-known Balinese architect Popo Danes, is situated on one of Sayan’s most sought-after streets. A pair of Hungarian documentary filmmakers—property’s current owners—renovated in collaboration with Belgian-Moroccan interior designer Zohra Boukhari to dream up a layout that put the landscape on display. Inside, two oversized master bedrooms sit on opposite sides of an infinity pool facing the Sayan Ridge, each with its own terrace, soaking tub, and dressing room; a third bedroom for kids has an antique Balinese daybed and its own bathroom. Price from $1,457 per night.Jungle Tree VillaPerks: Private spring-fed pool, private hot tub, private balcony, fully-equipped kitchen, resort accessThis one-bedroom hideaway tucked behind a 200-year banyan tree in Penestanan is built from reclaimed teak and filled with hand-picked antiques. Head’s up to guests wanting a sealed, bug-free stay: the bedroom is the only enclosed, semi-air-conditioned room; everything else opens to the jungle channeling true indoor-outdoor living.. A terrazzo bathtub gets filled with fresh petals for evening soaks, and floating breakfasts in the spring-fed pool can be arranged for an extra charge. The property’s owners—Budi and Anna—run Yellow Flower, the organic café that supplies breakfast. Ubud’s center is an easy walk, though finding the way back after dark along the small paths takes some getting used to. Price from $189 per night.A Villa Looking Out at North BaliPerks: Ocean view, private pool, outdoor shower, entertainment setup, central air conditioning, private backyard, free parkingNorth Bali gets a fraction of the visitors the southern region does, and this villa outside Singaraja channels the peaceful energy that comes with that distance. Two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms sit off an open living area, with a third bathroom off the kitchen, and an infinity pool at the garden’s edge that looks straight out over the coast. The last stretch of road up is rough, so guests without their own driver are asked to arrange one in advance. Dolphin-watching and snorkelling are 15 minutes away, and bustling Ubud is an hour’s drive if the south starts calling. Price from $156 per night.Eco-Designed Bamboo House Over the Ayung RiverPerks: Private Balcony, unique bamboo architecture, private pool over the river, private outdoor area, free parkingAura House sits inside Green Village, a bamboo housing community designed by IBUKU, the design studio behind some of Bali’s best-known sustainable architecture. The two-bedroom house is built entirely from bamboo and overlooks the Ayung River—one bedroom is entered through an egg-shaped door that’s become something of a signature for the studio. A private pool supplies sweeping views of the nearby river, and Green Village’s shared spaces include a 25-meter communal pool, yoga shala, and a restaurant. It’s a 35-minute drive to Ubud and 30-minutes from Canggu, so the location suits guests seeking a stay to properly disconnect and day-trip in and out when they need. Price from $286 per night.Treehouse With a SaunaPerks: Mountain view, private sauna, hot tub, outdoor shower, private balcony, private outdoor area, free parkingThis two-level treehouse in the highlands above Munduk is chilly enough at night that it’s worth packing a sweater. A cloud-level enlarged king bed faces the view (including some particularly stunning sunsets) through sliding doors, with a projector at the foot of it for evenings in. Downstairs, a private sauna and a round bathtub both look out at the misty mountains. Four waterfalls are within walking distance—Red Coral, 15 minutes away, being the closest—and a small on-site restaurant delivers breakfast and dinner to the treehouse door. It’s adults-only and just a five-minute walk downhill from the car park that’s considerably less fun on the way back up. Price from $286 per night.Sculptural House by One of Bali’s Best-Known ArchitectsPerks: Private infinity pool, mountain view, washer and dryer, private balcony, private outdoor area, resort accessAlexis Dornier, one of Bali’s most written-about architects, designed this house around a wave-shaped roof built from local kerobokan stone. Four king bedrooms live upstairs, each with their own bathrooms, above an open-plan ground floor with a stone-clad infinity pool running alongside it. The village of Mas, known for wood carving and small galleries, surrounds the property, and a full-time concierge team handles requests from airport pickups to private chefs. A nearby club, Titi Batu, throws in free gym access and has a decent restaurant besides. The neighboring villa sits close enough that one of its bedrooms faces this way (something worth knowing if total privacy matters to you). Price from $638 per night.