There are few places on Earth that take your breath away while making you feel as if you can finally breathe again. Padma Hotel Bandung is one of them. Stepping into the lobby, I was immediately greeted by the soothing sight of sprawling emerald hills and an azure sky filled with white puffy clouds. The windows of the lobby had been flung open to showcase this magnificent backdrop, and mocha-coloured window seats beckoned travellers to drink in the healing beauty of this view. Located in the misty highlands of Ciumbuleuit, Padma is a fabulous retreat for mind, body and soul. This modern and minimalist escape harnesses the beauty of its surroundings to create a tranquil abode you’ll never want to leave. Its setting, which encompasses verdant hills bursting with the flaming orange blooms of saphodea trees, is majestic. The 30.6-hectare property boasts an eight-storey, L-shaped main building where floors are arranged in descending order, with the lobby located on the top-most floor;
guests have to take a lift down the hill to reach their rooms, access the outdoor pool and Jacuzzi or visit the outbound area on the eighth and lowest floor. Padma boasts lots of glass work in its design – the perfect material to showcase a view worth framing. The hotel offers 124 rooms, with the highest category being the newly introduced Suite Gallery, of which there are just four. The gorgeous 54 square metre Suite Gallery surpasses the 62 square metre Premier Suite (formerly the highest category of accommodation, and popular with families) when it comes to luxury. Designed with a calming palette of sea green and beige, it comes with marble flooring, an even more spacious bathroom fitted with oversized vanity mirrors, and the best views in the house, overlooking the heated pool, as well as the hill. My cocoon for the weekend was the Hillside Studio, which is popular with honeymooners. This abode, designed with an earthy colour palette, comes with a comfy king-sized bed (made even more decadent with feather choices from a special pillow menu), a cosy sitting area and a spacious bathroom encased in clear and frosted glass, allowing guests to watch TV from the strategically angled oversized tub.
For complete privacy, guests have just to draw the blinds. And then, of course, there’s the view. Almost touching my window were tall Bangkok pines, jacaranda trees, weeping willows and magnolia trees – all thanks to Padma’s replanting efforts. To compensate for any disturbance to its surroundings when it first opened back in 2009, Padma actively engages in replanting exercises around its property. And since the hotel employs a subtle landscaping technique, its foliage looks lush and natural. Bougainvillea flowers, irises, orchids and heliconias spill over pathways carpeted on either side with all manner of shrubbery. Padma offers thoughtful touches and an immersive experience – from its healing yoga sessions to its hikes through the hills – but nowhere is this more manifest than at The Restaurant, its sole dining establishment, where guests can savour authentic street food and Sundanese favourites. Padma’s commitment to a genuine dining experience means that spicy dishes are served with no compromise – so, be prepared for fiery flavours that pack a punch!
Must-tries include the fierce Bebek Bukit Tinggi, deep-fried duck that’s been braised in green chilli for three to four hours, as well as Padma’s signature dish: Nasi Bambu Panggang. Inspired by the angklung (local musical instrument made of bamboo), this hearty dish is prepared by cooking rice mixed with oncom (fermented beancurd), salt fish, herbs and spices in a bamboo culm over an open fire. The rice is served with fried chicken, gepuk (beef stewed with candlenut and lemongrass, and then fried and beaten to tenderise), garoupa, tofu, shrimp crackers and pickles – a feast for two. On weekends, guests can enjoy themed buffets with a seafood BBQ spread on Friday and oper (boneless) ribs on Saturday. Afternoon tea is also a unique affair. Forget English tea and scones; at Padma, tea is served local style with a spread of Bandung’s exotic street flavours. Favourites include serabi (a snack of coconut milk, grated coconut and rice flour baked in a clay pot), traditionally eaten with oncom tossed with chilli for heat;
awug, a sweet and sticky cake made from rice flour, brown sugar and grated coconut, with a dash of salt; combro, a deep-fried oncom-filled cassava cake; and kue lumpur, a smooth chiffon-like cake made from rice flour, coconut and raisins. Tea also includes various crisps from deep-fried cassava chips to seblak, a fiery cracker. All this is washed down with two local teas: bandrek and bajigor. Bandrek, the healthier of the two, is made by boiling young ginger with brown sugar, and served with fresh slivers of ginger and coconut flesh, while bajigor is concocted by stewing fresh coconut milk and brown sugar for two hours, with screw pine leaves for aroma, and then, serving it with fresh coconut milk, grated coconut and chewy palm fruit. At Padma, guests enjoy the sweet life and this immersive experience truly allows for a genuine taste of Bandung. Address: Jl. Ranca Bentang No 56-58, Ciumbuleuit, Bandung Search for flights, manage your booking and check-in on the go with the AirAsia mobile app. Download it now!
All BCA Credit Card Save Up To 70% with BCA Credit Card for your next well-being journey at our new resort in Ubud. Rate starts fom IDR 1,940,000 / room / night and is subject to availability and change without prior notice. Use the Booking Code CC-PROMO-BCA or click here to get the special rate. 26 October 2015 - 30 June 2017 26 October 2015 - 30 June2017 - Save Up To 70% OFF Published Rate until 31 March 2017 or Published Rate until 30 June 2017 - Daily Afternoon Tea - 15% Discount at F&B outlets - 15% Discount at The Spa(valid for BCA Platinum and above) - In room Internet access - Tax and service charge (valid for BCA Platinum and above) (Max. 1 child up to 12 years old stay for FREE, additional rate apply for 2nd child) - Room rates are inclusive of taxes and service charge - Room rates are per room per night, based on single/double occupancy, unless otherwise specified - Room rates are inclusive breakfast for 2 persons, unless otherwise specified
- Offer is subject to availability - Offer is valid for BCA Credit Card - Payment has to be made by BCA Credit Card - A limited number of rooms may be available at these rates and additional restrictions and blackout dates may apply - Offer cannot be combined with other discounts and/or special offers - Padma Resort Ubud reserves the right to cancel bookings that do not comply with the terms and conditions - Padma Resort Ubud reserves the right to discontinue this offer at any time without prior notice - Offer is subject to the general terms and conditions. Save up to 65% with OCBC-NISP / MANDIRI / CIMB NIAGA / PANIN / PERMATA / MEGAFIRST VISA INFINITE Credit Card for your next well-being journey at our new resort in Ubud. Rate starts fom IDR 2,263,333 / room / night and is subject to availability and change without prior notice. Use the Booking Code CC-PROMO-65 or click here to get the special rate. 1 January 2016 - 31 March 2017
- GET 65% OFF Published Rate - Free Return Airport Transfer 1x60 Minutes massage for 2 persons - 20% Discount at The Spa *Additional guests (3rd, 4th and 5th person) are not entitled to get massage. - Offer is valid for OCBC-NISP / MANDIRI / CIMB NIAGA / PANIN / PERMATA / MEGAFIRST VISA INFINITE Credit Card Holder - Booking and Payment has to be made by OCBC-NISP / MANDIRI / CIMB NIAGA / PANIN / MEGAFIRST VISA INFINITE Credit Card. - 15% Discount for Foods and Beverage exclude alcoholic beverage Save up to 60% with MEGA PLATINUM Credit Card for your next well-being journey at our new resort in Ubud. Rate starts fom IDR 2,470,000 / room / night and is subject to availability and change without prior notice. Use the Booking Code CC-PROMO-60 or click here to get the special rate. 1 January 2016 - 30 March 2017 - GET 60% OFF Published Rate until 31 March 2017 - Offer is valid for MEGA PLATINUM Credit Card - Booking and Payment has to be made by MEGA PLATINUM Credit Card.