FEATURES • DESTINATIONS
Family Values, Grand Scale: Viceroy Bali’s Dual Impact
January 2025
Words & Photography by The Punch
Viceroy Bali is renowned as one of Ubud’s pioneering luxury resorts, offering an enchanting retreat nestled in the heart of Ubud’s rainforests and terraced rice paddies. Each of its 40 villa retreats provides a boutique experience that feels like stepping into a fairytale. Unlike many luxury properties in Bali, Viceroy stands out as an independent resort, avoiding the impersonal nature of chain hotels. Margaret Bainbridge, who envisioned and established Viceroy Bali in 2005, built it from the ground up, and the family continues to uphold and enrich this vision, making sure the resort maintains its exceptional standards.
At Viceroy Bali, each moment is one of indulgence and serenity–one minute, you’re savoring complimentary cocktails and canapés; the next, you’re having a romantic dinner within the privacy of your villa. The resort’s culinary masterpiece, Apéritif Restaurant, offers a fine dining degustation experience, celebrated as one of the best in Indonesia. But what truly sets Viceroy Bali apart is its heart–the team members. They are the backbone of the resort, delivering warm, genuine, and unforgettable service that lingers long after your stay. The resort itself is a reflection of Bali’s timeless beauty. Panoramic views can be seen across the bountiful rice paddy fields, with the mystical silhouette of Mount Agung rising in the distance. Every detail, from the handcrafted Balinese-style roofs to the intricate stonework and textiles, shows authentic local charm.
Jero Mangku Tindih, the Resort Manager’s journey is one of determination and growth–hailing from a small village in Kintamani near Mount Batur, he transformed his life through dedication, learning English, and climbing the ranks from the tourist information sector in 1995 to his current role at Viceroy Bali. Amanda Syrowatka, Viceroy’s Margaret and Otto’s daughter and director is dedicated to advancing the resort’s commitment to sustainable practices including energy and water conservation. Under her stewardship, Viceroy Bali operates an advanced 18-chamber sanitation water treatment facility and embraces a vision for regenerative travel. This approach ensures that guests can enjoy the timeless beauty and rich culture of Bali while contributing to the preservation of the island for future generations.
FAMILY-CENTRIC VALUES
Viceroy Bali thrives as a family-owned resort, making it uniquely advantageous as the intimate bond of its ownership to be responsible can flourish with dedication. This familial commitment supports a long-term vision, of blending eco-friendly practices with the natural landscape. By using the traditional subak water system and prioritizing renewable energy, the family makes sure that every development reflects their profound respect for the environment. This engaged approach creates a dynamic process of refining sustainable practices, positioning the resort as a model of responsible luxury and a standard for eco-friendly development that inspires others in the industry.
LARGE SCALE, BEST PRACTICES
At Viceroy Bali, each guest arrives in a warm embrace of eco-conscious hospitality. Reusable water bottles are provided, accompanied by thoughtfully placed refill stations that invite guests to reduce waste. The hotel encourages mindful practices, inviting visitors to do less frequent linen changes and reminding them to switch off lights, air conditioning, and fans as they step out. The dedicated staff, equipped with environmental training, navigates waste separation, supports the organic greenhouse, and uses energy and water efficiency with pride. Solar panels provide the resort with renewable energy and show a commitment that defines the Viceroy Bali experience.
Manager Jero embodies this ethos, traveling through his local village on foot or by bike, and connecting with neighbors who gather monthly to tidy the pathways leading to the resort. His outreach extends to meaningful partnerships with the Bali Children Project and the Plastic Exchange, founded by I Made Janur Yasa, a nominee for CNN Hero of the Year. Together, these efforts reflect a spirit of responsibility and care, resonating throughout the community and inspiring all who visit.
BALINESE HERITAGE AT HEART
At Viceroy Bali, the essence of Balinese culture flows through every corner, blending tradition and hospitality. Guests are greeted with warm, traditional gestures, and the staff, adorned in customary attire, show a profound respect for their heritage. The on-site temple serves as a sacred space, where daily prayers and vibrant ceremonies take place every six months, inviting visitors to share these cherished moments. The resort encourages its staff to partake in personal ceremonies and cultural events, providing a balance between work and tradition.
Cultural immersion deepens with weekly Balinese dance performances, where rhythms and stories come alive, and interactive lessons in traditional crafts like wood carving and kite-making invite guests to participate in age-old practices. Visitors can engage in crafting canang offerings, making a direct connection to local customs. This thoughtful approach not only adds to the guest experience but also makes a meaningful bond with the local community, where the villagers’ enthusiastic feedback shares the joy of cultural exchange.
EMPOWERING LOCAL FUTURES
Empowering local communities is important for a sustainable future in Bali. By investing in educational initiatives and environmental programs, Viceroy Bali creates a powerful example of sustainable development and long-term resilience.
To this day, the resort partners with local charities, such as the Rotary Club, making an impact by purchasing 500 helmets for the safety of children on the island. Their collaboration with the Bali Children Project supports students facing financial hardships, enabling them to pursue their education. Thanks to these efforts, numerous students have progressed from elementary school to higher levels, with two now advancing toward diplomas. Moreover, Viceroy Bali aligns with the Plastic Exchange, an innovative program backed by Nagi villagers who gather plastic waste in exchange for rice. The hotel plays an integral role in this initiative, generously donating both rice and funds to further the cause, creating community support and responsibility.
EFFICIENT WASTE MANAGEMENT
Viceroy Bali is firmly committed to comprehensive waste management practices, successfully eliminating single-use plastics across the entire resort–in restaurants, laundry facilities, and guest villas. Their waste management system separates organic from non-organic waste, allowing for thoughtful processing. Organic waste is processed on-site, making recycling and composting initiatives that help Bali’s environmental health. This conscientious approach not only provides efficient waste handling but also blends with the resort’s overarching sustainability goals, creating a greener future for the island.
ON-SITE GREEN HOUSE
The on-site greenhouse at Viceroy Bali shows the efforts of the resort’s sustainability initiatives, creating a diverse array of organic fruits and vegetables that grace the tables of its restaurants and staff canteen. This thriving greenhouse reduces food miles and also amplifies ingredient freshness, reinforcing commitment to a zero-waste philosophy. Guests are invited to explore the greenhouse and gardens, immersing themselves in the world of sustainable agriculture. Here, they witness firsthand how Viceroy Bali blends eco-friendly practices into its daily operations, creating a deeper appreciation for the environment.
SOLAR POWER & WATER PURITY
Viceroy Bali uses advanced strategies for energy and water conservation that set a benchmark in sustainable luxury. The resort uses the sun’s power through solar panels, significantly reducing energy consumption and dependence on grid electricity, reaping both financial and environmental benefits. In this initiative is their sophisticated 18-chamber sanitation system, which naturally filters water through layers of rocks and sand, while Terra filtration and reverse osmosis make sure that every tap offers pristine drinking water–a rare gem in Bali and across Asia. Moreover, the Viceroy’s intelligent use of energy-efficient VRV air conditioning, coupled with a system that repurposes cooling energy to heat water, shows their dedication to efficiency and ecological balance, creating a lasting relationship with the environment.​
COMMUNITY TRAINING FOR THE FUTURE
Viceroy Bali puts a profound commitment to community involvement first, creating a culture that can be seen throughout the resort. The team actively engages staff, their families, and the surrounding village in sustainability training, showing a united front in their efforts. To boost this initiative, the hotel has appointed a dedicated sustainability officer, tasked with the ambitious goal of reducing overall resource usage by 20% by 2025. As they look ahead, Viceroy Bali supports regenerative travel, particularly in a post-pandemic world where travelers increasingly seek meaningful and responsible experiences. This approach promises to benefit both Bali and the wider global community, creating a legacy of care and connection.
EXPLORE THE FULL STORY IN UNCOVERED BALI BOOK
Uncovered Bali is a collective project showcasing the sustainable journeys of carefully selected Bali businesses to a global audience. Each story highlights the unique impact these enterprises have on preserving Bali’s cultural and environmental heritage while driving positive change. Through this project, we aim to inspire global leaders, travelers, and communities to embrace more sustainable practices and appreciate the powerful role that local businesses play in shaping a better future.
EXPLORE THE PUNCH