February 28, 2008

Asia | Indonesia | Bali

A Trunk Odyssey

By Sandra Ramani

Bali’s first lodge for luxury travelers and elephants is about to open. globorati got a sneak peek.

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Since opening a Bali refuge for endangered Sumatran elephants in 2000, Aussie expat Nigel Mason has fielded countless guest requests to sleep among the 27 protected pachyderms. Well, wish granted. Come Saturday, dumbo-struck visitors can bed down at the Elephant Safari Park Lodge, a 25-room inn nestled in the midst of the eight-acre sanctuary in Taro (a 20-minute drive from culture capital, Ubud). Though you won’t find silk-lined daybeds — like those kitting some of Bali’s other new arrivals — the chic bedrooms have marble baths and lush forest views, while the VIP suite comes with a private bar, whirlpool tub and butler service. Best of all: each has its own ride-in ride-out gateway, so you can mount your elephant right from your room.

During a pre-opening sneak peak, globorati also noticed a series of “abstract” paintings above each bed. Sure, the brushstrokes seemed a tad slapdash — though, in fairness, the elephants haven’t had any formal art training. They’re better skilled at chauffeuring you nightly from your room to a four-course dinner by the lake. But that’s not the only perk: included with each stay is a guided ride through the forest, private entry to the main safari park and botanical gardens, plus your choice of “adventure activity” (think river rafting and paragliding). For more one-on-one trunk time, you can also arrange lessons in bathing and feeding the gentle giants. And before you pass the whole thing off as just a theme-park gimmick, it’s not all pachyderms all the time: there’s a swimming pool and full-service spa, too.