Cover Lodge in the Woods is located in Kaba-Kaba, Bali, just outside Canggu and not far from the beaches on the southwestern side of the island. (Photo: Lodge in the Woods website)
Lodge in the Woods is located in Kaba-Kaba, Bali, just outside Canggu and not far from the beaches on the southwestern side of the island. (Photo: Lodge in the Woods website)
1 / 1
Found in Kaba-Kaba in Bali, Lodge in the Woods is an eco-luxury retreat that is also a serene animal sanctuary
Nestled in the village of Kaba‑Kaba, just beyond Canggu, Bali, Lodge in the Woods feels like something out of a fairytale. Imagine soft rays of morning sun filtering through the forest canopy, doves overhead and a white horse quietly stepping out of the trees. At this tranquil retreat, moments like these aren’t just part of a dream—they’re part of daily life.
The property is home to a unique group of residents who serve as unofficial hosts: rescued animals who now live within the lodge’s garden-like sanctuary. White horses graze peacefully beside goats, dogs wander through the trees, chickens peck at pathways and doves flit above it all.
In case you missed it: More than just animals: the evolution of pet culture in South Korea
Meet your hosts: Nalu, Maya, Zeki, Karo, Leah, Kore
Above Kore is one of two Etawah goats who live on the farm next to the Lodge. (Photo: Lodge in the Woods website)
Above Karo, a rescue from Java, now lives on the farm and has a room at the Lodge in the Woods named after him. (Photo: Lodge in the Woods website)
Kore is one of two Etawah goats who live on the farm next to the Lodge. (Photo: Lodge in the Woods website)
1 / 2
This eco-luxury retreat in Bali doubles as a sanctuary for rescued animals, including several cherished albino horses and goats. Each animal has a name and often, a story. They move freely around the grounds, and just being around them—watching horses meander past the breakfast table, for example, or seeing chickens hitch a ride on goatback—creates an atmosphere that is both deeply calming and disarmingly magical.
The six guest rooms are named after some of these animals—Nalu, Maya, Zeki, Karo, Leah and Kore—paying tribute to their role as the heart of the lodge. Indeed, guests are welcome to take part in barnyard life: feeding chickens and horses, gathering eggs, planting seedlings or harvesting vegetables alongside the village team. Interactions happen organically, offering moments of connection that are neither structured nor staged.
In case you missed it: Island fever: Canggu is officially Bali’s most exciting dining destination
Farm-to-table dining and community-focused experiences
Lodge in the Woods, in Kaba-Kaba, Bali is a dreamy setting straight out of a fairytale. (Photo: Instagram / @lodgeinthewoods)
1 / 8
Beyond animal encounters, the lodge encourages a slower, more sustainable way of living. Meals are made using produce from the on-site pesticide-free garden and local fishermen’s daily catch, and served at a long communal table that invites conversation among fellow guests.
The lodge’s commitment to community runs deep. Many of the staff are from Kaba-Kaba itself, and the property’s founder, Bernard Teo, has designed the retreat to support—not separate from—the surrounding village. Whether helping to collect eggs, harvest herbs or care for the animals, guests often find themselves gently folded into the daily rhythm of the place.
Above Lodge in the Woods invites guests to slow down and connect with its rescued animals.
Lodge in the Woods may be modest in scale, but its effect can be quite profound. This isn’t a place for overthinking or overdoing; rather, it’s a retreat where simplicity, sustainability and soft-footed companionship set the rhythm. Guests often leave with a lasting sense of calm, tempered only by the unsettling urge to sell all their worldly possessions and move to a forest filled with adoring goats, chickens and albino horses.
Topics
Kristine Fonacier is a widely published journalist and author, covering lifestyle, business, politics and travel. She was the editor in chief at the Philippine editions of Esquire and Entrepreneur, and the founding editor of Grid magazine. At Tatler, she was previously the regional editor for T-Labs, Power & Purpose and Asia’s Most Influential.
