This terracotta cube is home to one of Bali’s most stylish stays

The hotel

Further Hotel, Pererenan, Bali

Check-in

Staff are communicative over WhatsApp before I arrive at the unassuming terracotta cube on Jalan Pantai Pererenan, which is at the more tranquil, western edge of Canggu. It’s not immediately apparent where to enter, but I soon find the small reception down an adjoining gang (alley). I’m a little early and wait until my room is ready. A welcome drink of pineapple juice, soda and lime is served while I absorb the striking red ochre palette that has been stylishly offset with onyx leather furniture and the charcoal colour of the staff uniforms.

The look

An ongoing project between former club owner and Melbourne DJ Simon Digby and Australian expat and hospitality gun Claudio Cuccu, the stay draws from the Italian concept of a diffused hotel, with 25 rooms spread over five buildings on Jalan Pantai Pererenan.

Crafted by Rome and Australian-based architects Morq, the building is constructed with burnt sienna bricks angled and spaced to allow in air and light. Ten suites are offered in the main building where I’m staying, while self-contained, one-room Further Studio is a short walk away. Newly opened Further Gallery, down the street, has six suites, including two penthouses.

Since staying, the hotel has also added a St Ali Coffee Roasters cafe, and a rooftop pool and restaurant, Portion Pool and Bar. Guests are free to access hip-as-hell The Wrong Gym (it’s worth paying extra to use the pool area, sauna and cold plunge).

The room

My king suite is a roomy 65 square metres with an outdoor en suite and semi-enclosed double showers that run the entire length of the space (the one closest to the street is surely for exhibitionists). The hoodie robes are suitably Canggu. Sunken into the floor, the bed is one of the suite’s most striking design features, but perhaps not suitable for all bodies. I can’t help giggling when I read my DMs in the response to shared photos. “How do you get out of bed?” quips a friend. “Imagine making that bed,” writes another. The minimalist interiors by Studio Wenden includes custom pieces and a sound system with inbuilt ceiling speakers pumping music round the clock, which thankfully, you can switch off. While sexy, the slung leather chairs are no match for my back so I sit on the floor.

Food + drink

The hotel has collaborated with Mason Hospitality Group to create Bar Vera, a European-style bistro and wine bar which occupies the street level and serves up share plates such as potato bread, pork jowl and savoury pumpkin pie with truffle, alongside a biodynamic wine list. When I stay, breakfast is not included and guests have the option of paying an extra $25 for a smoothie bowl (excessive for Bali). Coffee fanatics will fawn over Melbourne export St Ali Coffee Roasters, which has moved into the ground level of Further Gallery and is now feeding the people. Alongside this, Pererenan has a growing number of quality restaurants and cafes, including Lebanese spot Zali, modern Indian Rize, and Mexican joint Origen.

Out + about

Check out the speakeasy at the back of vinyl store Peels Records and Bar, as well as Indian restaurant Red Gunpowder, which sits underneath small bar The Shady Fox. Pererenan Beach is a 20-minute walk away, while buzzing Batu Bolong is less than 15 minutes’ drive. If you know what you’re doing, it’s worthwhile renting a scooter. Also part of the Further brand and found on the same street is bespoke perfumery Oaken, as well as Thomas Surfboards.

The verdict

An original stay with design kudos and cultural acumen, Further invites guests to experience the authenticity of this slow Balinese village without altering it.

Essentials

King suite from IDR2,900,000 ($280) a night. Jalan Pantai Pererenan No.84, Pererenan, Bali, Indonesia. See furtherhotel.com

Our score out of five

★★★★

Highlight

An electric buggy is on call to ferry guests anywhere they want along Jalan Pantai Pererenan. Only in Bali.

Lowlight

Some of the shower’s design elements need a rethink – mine doesn’t drain properly and soaks the bathroom floor.

The writer travelled with the assistance of Further Hotel and Jetstar.