Comfortably dotted around the up-and-coming Bali ‘burb Pererenan is FURTHER. Made up of several locales, FURTHER offers a sleek, sexy and mature reprieve from the white-walled, oft-dated hotels and resorts you’d usually find around the island.
It’s coined as a ‘diffused hotel’, though one could liken the concept to a resort, except a resort that’s subtly weaved throughout a community rather than in one location, and one that's far more tasteful in its approach to hospitality, experience, and aesthetic.
You’ll find all three FURTHER destinations along the same street—Jalan Pantai Pererenan—with the furthermost north being Studio A: a private, standalone, and outrageously spacious suite that feels like your own lofty apartment. There’s something dramatic about the towering ceilings, all the while the meticulously considered amenities, rainwater shower and king-sized bed remind you this is home for the duration of your stay.
A little further down the palm-lined street is FURTHER hq, where you’ll find a handful of suites tailored to lovers, friends and families alike. The Urban King Suite is a prime exercise in romanticising where the king bed takes centre stage…alongside the walk-in rainshower that spans the length of the generous 63m2 suite, of course. Meanwhile, the Urban Twin switches out the king for two queens, a less romantic option best suited to mates over notes, but not without all the trimmings—rainwater shower included.
On ground floor, alongside the concierge, you’ll find Bar Vera, a Parisian-leaning wine bar and diner that celebrates Pererenan’s casual undertones through the menu and the breezy venue. There is of course a case for meandering outside of the hotel’s grounds and dining beachside at some point in your trip, though the quality of cooking at Bar Vera is, in our opinion, unmatched, and with that in mind dinner here should be a top priority.
Hint: order the potato bread and honey butter, an unassuming dish that’ll become the star of the show at every meal.
Wander further down Jalan Pantai Pererenan and you’ll find FURTHER Gallery, the hotel’s third location. You’ll find ST. ALi—yep, Melbourne’s coffee authority, ST. ALi—on ground floor serving up what is almost inarguably the best coffee in Pererenan. The breakfast, brunch and lunch fare upholds the brands longstanding reputation but not without integrating a Balinese spin. And upstairs? Several to-be premier suites that’ll be welcoming guests by July. By far FURTHER’s largest, the two suites can also be booked out as one for groups wanting to live lavishly for just a little while.
No matter which FURTHER locale you choose to stay in, the beauty of their operation is indeed in the way they operate. Check-in is at the same location for all, where the team will either guide you upstairs or transport you via buggy to Studio A or Gallery. And from there, FURTHER communicates attentively but not intrusively with guests via Whatsapp. You want room service? Flick them a message. Prefer a private meal? Just Whatsapp them. Need to rent a scooter? The team can arrange that too, and they’ll bring it all to your door damn fast.
Inside and out, there’s an unwavering consistency that’s found throughout the FURTHER experience: You’ll see it in the unobtrusive yet original brickwork on the outsides of the buildings, while on the inside, a palette consisting of three textures—glass, terracotta and raw polished concrete—provide a signature aesthetic you just want to exist within.
And within the next year, FURTHER will expand with another eight suites and rooftop pool just by their headquarters, and next to ST. ALi, the FURTHER spa will come to life.
Those fortunate enough to stay in more than one of FURTHER’s rooms or suites will pick up on not just those signature design cues but in the way the space can be interacted with. Bluetooth speakers sit inconspicuously within the ceiling, letting you curate your own soundtrack; king and queen beds are inset within the floor, each with liberal lashings of uber-soft linen; minibars are fully locked and loaded, and curated by friends Bar Vera; while the motorised blackout blinds add just an extra dash of grandeur—and yes, for those wondering, that walk-in rainwater shower absolutely comes standard.
Experiences at FURTHER Hotel begin at $323 per night. Book here.
Image credit: supplied