Adventure-seeking families will love The Seed Bali

1 day ago
4 min read

The Seed founder Logan Bailey chanced upon land on Bali’s remote east coast. He tells Carolynne Dear how he built a family resort from scratch

Aerial view of The Seed Bali tropical beachfront resort with a curving blue pool, palm trees, white loungers, and waves on the sand.

The Seed Bali - the resort unfurls beneath the Candidasa mountain ranges

“East Bali still retains a sense of authenticity and calm that can be harder to find elsewhere on the island. I came across the area by chance more than a decade ago and fell in love with it. A friend, Martin Friedrich (who later became The Seed’s architect), lived next door and when the land came up for sale, I jumped on it.

Candidasa has a slower rhythm, incredible natural beauty and a real sense of community. It felt like the perfect setting for the type of experience we wanted to create - somewhere people could genuinely switch off and reconnect. Originally it was just a paradise retreat for my little family - a nature-led home - but as more and more friends came to stay, I saw its potential as a fully functioning resort.

The estate is around two hours from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, depending on traffic, and the drive itself becomes part of the experience as you leave the busier southern areas of Bali behind and move into the island’s more peaceful eastern coastline.

The resort spans an acre-and-a-half of tropical coastline beneath the dramatic Candidasa mountain ranges. Four, eco-led, characterful villas, from treetop hideouts to traditional Balinese sandalwood ‘joglos’, are dotted amongst the palm trees. Facilities include a private, whole food-focused restaurant, a jungle gym, an infrared sauna and cold plunge pools, waterfalls, a yoga shala and an ocean deck.

Jungle gym at The Seed Bali with dark wooden benches and hanging wicker swing chairs amid lush green plants and sandy ground

The Seed Bali - a jungle gym is complemented by cold plunge pools, waterfalls and a yoga shala

As with any hospitality project in Bali, there was a significant amount of planning, patience and relationship-building involved. Navigating permits, land agreements, construction and logistics takes time, particularly when you want to approach the project responsibly and collaboratively. We worked closely with local partners and advisors throughout the process, which was essential in helping bring the vision to life.

My neighbour, Martin Friedrich, was the architect on the project and we designed The Seed together. Essentially, we wanted the design to be eco-led and fun. To ensure energy efficiency, we reduced reliance on non-renewable resources and maximised natural light and ventilation. We used repurposed wood, stone and upcycled metal fixtures.

Building in Bali always comes with challenges, from logistics and sourcing materials to weather and timelines. We wanted to conserve the land as much as we could, so building around giant boulders and trees was tricky, but created the super-organic and authentic offering we have now. It was also a hugely rewarding project to complete with a friend.

For the tone and playful vibe, we honestly just let our imaginations run wild. No two villas are the same - each space has its own unique character. For example, Villa Rabbithole on the oceanside of the resort is made for social interaction; it’s bold and colourful and with a multifunctional games room that transitions into a speakeasy bar - think vintage board games like billiards and chess, ping pong and darts, and a private bartender. Meanwhile, Villa Ewya is for peace and reflection, surrounded by jungle with its waterfall swimming pool, bamboo swing seats and calm neutral tones.

Sunlit tropical villa at The Seed Bali with canopy bed, wooden loft ladder, desk, and open doors to palm trees and ocean; calm, luxurious feel.

The Seed Bali - no two villas are the same

The Seed is perfect for families, the atmosphere is relaxed and there are plenty of areas for both younger and older children to hang out. We offer a nanny service, a kids’ cinema, games, bunk bed rooms and nature-led workshops for little kids. For teenagers, there’s biking, hiking and diving. Our goal is to encourage outdoor play and treasured family time together in the sun.

East Bali offers a huge amount for travellers looking to explore beyond the usual tourist trail. There are beautiful beaches (don’t miss Virgin beach nearby), incredible snorkelling and diving spots (we have boats in front of the resort), traditional villages, rice terraces, temples, and mountains, all within easy reach. Bali’s oldest traditional village and sacred temple, Tenganan, is one of my favourite places. I often run to and from it.

Our general manager, Manu, lives next door to the villa to ensure guests have 24/7 service. I currently live in Canggu on the other side of Bali, but I visit regularly and will be relocating my family from the west coast soon.

More plans include expanding our wellness and culinary offerings this year, as well as creating more community-driven experiences. We also just launched music retreats where you can book the resort - and teachers - to create music, whether it’s DJ-based or a jamming session with a band. That’s where you’ll find me when I stay at The Seed, along with my kids.

This feature first appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of Asia Family Traveller magazine. Read the digital copy here.