Angelina Agata
Sep 04, 2025
At Alila Ubud, sustainability isn’t a feature—it’s a way of life. Perched on the edge of the Ayung River valley, this peaceful hillside retreat takes a thoughtful approach to hospitality, blending timeless Balinese character with a long-term commitment to nature and the local community.
The resort was designed to resemble a traditional village, with villas built on stilts and tucked into the jungle like treehouses. Native plants and trees have been left untouched. There are no manicured lawns here—just rainforest, birdsong, and the occasional monkey passing by. It’s quiet, raw, and honest.
Alila Ubud has earned the highest level of EarthCheck certification, a global benchmark for environmental design. From the beginning, the team made decisions with care—choosing local and recycled materials, conserving water through natural soakaways and rain gardens, and planting only what belongs in this part of the world.
One of the resort’s most hands-on efforts is its Sustainability Lab, a zero-waste facility that turns what would be discarded into something useful. Kitchen scraps are composted and sent to the organic garden, where they nourish everything from lemongrass to tomatoes. The garden’s harvest ends up on guests’ plates—or in their hands, if they join a cooking class and pick their own ingredients.
There are no plastic water bottles here. Instead, Alila Ubud filters and bottles its own drinking water on site using refillable glass. Bathroom and spa products are made in Bali, many through village co-ops that the resort has quietly supported for years.
They also try to keep things simple behind the scenes—working with nearby farmers for fresh produce, and asking suppliers to skip the excess packaging when they can. It’s not flashy, but it makes a difference.
Sustainability here also means investing in people. Most of the staff are from the Gianyar area, with priority given to the nearby banjars. Local tourism students often join on-the-job training programmes, gaining experience in hospitality. The resort is also actively involved with nearby schools and social organisations, including Yayasan Bumi Sehat and Sari Hati School.
These aren’t CSR talking points—they’re long-standing relationships built over time. Whether it’s offering support for a community health project or joining a village clean-up, the team shows up, listens, and does what they can.
In a world where “eco” often feels like a label, Alila Ubud keeps things grounded. There’s no showy messaging, just a quiet effort to do the right thing—day in, day out. And maybe that’s what luxury looks like today: not just how a place feels, but how it cares.
Alila Ubud
Melinggih Kelod, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80572
Phone : +62 361 975 963
