Inside Bali’s ‘adult playground’ private resort loved by A-list DJs – with triple-level pools in the lounge and underground nightclub

I never thought I’d be able to give up my phone for a day, let alone four – but, at SEED, in Bali, guests are encouraged to switch off from the relentlessly busy outside world.

So, as I arrive at the resort, on Bali’s tranquil undiscovered east coast away from busier Uluwatu, Ubud and Canggu, I go the whole hog and text my family and friends to say I’m going off grid.

The result? 

At first, withdrawals – but as the days go by, I’m the most relaxed and present I’ve been in years, and my only worry is what time my next meal is going to be.

It’s hard not to feel like that at SEED, a private paradise set across eight villas, each with its own unique concept.

My friend and I have the 21-person resort to ourselves and, from the second we arrive, it’s clear we’re in for a time of pure luxury.

As the private transfer pulls up, six friendly Balinese men and women greet us for our stay with welcome drinks and refresh towels.

‘You can pick whichever room you want,’ I’m told.

Paudie Prendergast recounts his stay at SEED, a remote, eight-villa paradise situated in Candidasa on Bali’s east coast

Guests are encouraged to switch off from the relentlessly busy outside world. Paudie says: ‘As I arrive at the resort, on Bali’s tranquil undiscovered east coast away from busier Uluwatu, Ubud and Canggu, I go the whole hog and text my family and friends to say I’m going off grid’ 

Paudie chooses to stay in Villa Eywa (pictured), surrounded by water 

Being an Aquarius, I opt for one surrounded by water – Villa Eywa. 

It has two bedrooms with outdoor, jungle-style, en-suite bathrooms, immersed amongst tall palm trees, spaced apart with an outdoor living room – and even a waterfall.

But the best part? 

A three-level pool, which you can jump into off your sofa, and then swim under it.

I’m living my childhood fantasy, and feeling like a mermaid, as I dive in.

It’s no wonder founder and co-creator Logan Bailey calls it a ‘playground for adults’.

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you keep finding hidden pockets sprawled over the 6,500 square metre resort.

There’s a 22-metre swimming pool with a 5m diving board (move over Tom Daley), and a wellness spa underneath said pool, with windows to see those brave enough to land, including an infrared sauna and cold plunge.

Paudie’s two-bedroom villa features jungle-style, ensuite bathrooms – spaced apart with an outdoor living room

Inside the living area, three-level pools are designed to jump into directly from the sofa

Paudie says: ‘I’m living my childhood fantasy, and feeling like a mermaid, as I dive into the pool. It’s no wonder founder and co-creator Logan Bailey calls SEED a “playground for adults”‘

To Paudie’s glee, hidden pockets sprawled over the 6,500 square metre resort await discovery 

There’s also an Alice in Wonderland-inspired games room and bar, with billiards table; an eco jungle gym; a vegetable garden to forage your own Thai basil for dinner; and even a gold throne toilet. 

To top that off, there’s a state-of-the-art recording studio – that’s been used by A-list DJ Fred Again – which doubles up as a nightclub.

And sleepyheads won’t have to worry about being disturbed by the loud music, as it’s underground and soundproof. 

If you’re looking for a slower pace, SEED personalises your trip with you before you arrive, tailored to your preference.

And my friend and I have a far more chilled experience at SEED than Fred most likely did though.

We are treated to full body massages, overlooking the picturesque pond house – home to koi, turtles and ducks you can feed daily – as well as snorkelling in the crystal blue Indian ocean, off Nusa Islands, where we find an abundance of Nemos (top tip, morning time is best to swim with maximum fish).

We also try an Indonesian cooking class with the in-house private chefs cooking the local beef rendang dish.

For an outdoorsy adventure, we embark on a four-hour, guided hike, deep in one of the country’s jungles.

For guests with specific requests, SEED personalises each trip prior to arrival – with all elements tailored to guests’ preferences

Paudie takes a dip in his villa’s outdoor, waterfall shower

When not snorkelling in the crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean, guests are treated to full body massages that overlook the picturesque pond house

There’s also an Alice in Wonderland-inspired games room and bar, with billiards table; an eco jungle gym and a state-of-the-art recording studio that doubles up as a nightclub

Our guide, Made, shows us the UNESCO World Heritage padi fields, coffee plants, cotton trees, pineapples, coconuts and mangoes being grown, with monkeys and snakes roaming around us freely. 

We also visit Bali’s oldest traditional village Tenganan, and nearby sacred temple.

We practice yoga in the shala above the idyllic golden beach, listening to the waves crashing off the shore, before going to a breathwork masterclass and a sound healing class, with an opera singer who is incredible, transporting me to another dimension, leaving me feeling rejuvenated. 

Everything you see at SEED is natural, sustainable and local. 

From the food – which is all included – to the architecture and furniture, all custom-designed, built and grown in Indonesia. 

I spot some wells and ask what it’s doing in Bali.

I am pleasantly informed rainwater is collected and run through a reverse osmosis system and channeled back to purified water.

The staff are incredible.

For guests with wellness and adventure in mind, the resort offers yoga in the shala above the beach, sound healing classes, outdoor Indonesian banquets and four-hour hikes into the jungle

Other unique amenities include an outdoor gym space surrounding by lush green fauna, a giant outdoor cinema and pond houses 

Unlike some other resorts, they instead have smart intuition on when to approach, without invading your zen time. 

Rest assured, they keep an eye on your cocktail when it needs topping up and do it effortlessly.

For our final night we are treated to an Indonesian banquet, at a table laid with locally picked flowers, with that evening’s menu beautifully written on the leaves. 

We then perch ourselves in front of the giant outdoor cinema under the stars watching a movie with drinks and snacks.

And when it’s time to leave this little piece of heaven on earth, we truly don’t want to go.