DISCOVERING MAGIA DE UMA IN UMALAS, BALI

Images courtesy of Magia de Uma and Design Hotels

An Intimate Dialogue with Place, Within Bali’s Sanctuary

Magia de Uma emerges quietly in the residential pocket of Umalas, an area where rice fields still frame daily life and the pace feels unhurried. Newly opened yet deeply rooted, the retreat offers a slower interpretation of Bali—removed from the island’s fast-moving southern coast, but still within easy reach of Canggu and Seminyak.

Part of Design Hotels’ global collection, Magia de Uma is the vision of husband-and-wife founders Jacopo and Rosa Sertoli, shaped through a shared sensibility with Gabriele Salini, founder of GS Collection. Together, they approached the project with a belief that hospitality should preserve rather than replace. The property unfolds across a main villa and a series of bungalows, several built around 150-year-old Javanese joglo structures, left intentionally imperfect so their age, texture, and history remain visible.

That philosophy continues indoors. Interiors are calm and unforced, defined by original wooden floors, generous ceiling heights, and soft white linens. Indonesian craftsmanship appears quietly throughout—from hand-carved wooden entrances and vintage furnishings to old agricultural tools once used in rice fields, now reimagined as sculptural objects. Materials are chosen to age gracefully: timber and stone dominate the palette, recycled fabrics are used for upholstery, and organic latex mattresses reflect a thoughtful approach to comfort and longevity.

The open-plan restaurant and bar form the social heart of the retreat. Natural textures are balanced with modern steel beams and a sculptural metal staircase, subtly reflecting Bali’s layered past. “We didn’t want to restore everything to perfection,” says Rosa Sertoli. “We wanted guests to feel the passage of time, and understand why protecting the land, sacred trees, and artisanal techniques matters.”

Presented by Interni Cipta Selaras

Accommodation continues this dialogue between heritage and ease. The bungalows combine restored joglo façades, handmade tiles, timber detailing, and stone surfaces with contemporary amenities. Some feature open-air Balinese bathrooms framed by foliage; others open onto private patios designed for quiet mornings. For a more secluded stay, a three-bedroom villa sits within its own garden, complete with a pool and a dedicated team, including a chef and butler.

Outdoor life moves at an unhurried pace. The mosaic-tiled pool, surrounded by tropical greenery and rope-woven loungers, becomes a natural place to linger—whether over a quiet game of chess or as the light softens toward sunset. “Magia de Uma is meant to feel like an oasis,” Jacopo reflects. “A place where guests can pause, reconnect, and leave feeling restored.”

Local creativity is woven into daily life at Magia de Uma. Artworks by Wiguna Valasara, Ketut Nugi, and Mesuka Dopazo introduce different interpretations of Indonesian culture—through ritual, nature, and textile—creating a subtle but meaningful connection between the retreat and its surrounding community.

Food is approached with the same sensitivity. An imaginative menu by Bali-based Michelin-star chef Fernando Trump blends Indonesian staples with retro international influences. Ingredients are sourced close to home: vegetables from the garden, white rice from the owners’ own fields, and dishes designed for sharing. Communal tables extend onto the terrace, encouraging meals that feel more like gatherings than formal dining.

Outdoor life moves at an unhurried pace. The mosaic-tiled pool, surrounded by tropical greenery and rope-woven loungers, becomes a natural place to linger—whether over a quiet game of chess or as the light softens toward sunset.

Magia de Uma is conceived as an oasis, a place to pause, reset, and reconnect with a slower rhythm of living. Wellness and experiences deepen that sense of presence. The Indonesian wood–crafted spa overlooks the rice fields and offers Balinese-inspired treatments alongside sound healing, meditation, and monthly full-moon ceremonies. Creative programming—from painting sessions and dance classes to Metanding and hands-on cooking workshops—invites guests to engage gently with local traditions through storytelling rather than instruction.

Sustainability is woven seamlessly into the retreat’s philosophy. From protecting sacred trees and land to using heat pumps for reduced energy consumption, recycled upholstery fabrics, biodegradable mattresses, and partnerships with local initiatives such as Boemi Botanicals and Indosole, conservation is treated as a lived value rather than a marketing statement. At Magia de Uma, preservation becomes both practice and promise—offering guests not just a place to stay, but a deeper connection to Indonesian heritage and nature.