Bali has a way of drawing you in, but its busier corners can be a lot to take in. Between the traffic, the crowds and the constant stream of new cafés and beach clubs, finding a place to slow down can make all the difference.
Tucked away among the rice fields of Babakan, just outside the buzz of Canggu, Bi Design House offers a different pace. Created by Sheila Man, founder of Bali Interiors, this intimate five-room boutique hotel combines a love of art and design with the warmth of a private home. It’s a place to retreat after a day exploring the island, while keeping Canggu’s cafés, restaurants and beaches within easy reach.
More Than Meets the Eye
We had the pleasure of visiting Bi Design House ourselves, and while the interiors are every bit as beautiful in person, what stayed with us most was the warmth of the people behind it. The incredibly friendly team makes you feel welcome from the moment you arrive, giving the house a personal touch that no photograph can quite capture. It’s often the people who make a place memorable, and Bi Design House is a lovely reminder of just that.
From Family Home to Boutique Hotel
For Sheila Man, Bi Design House began with a much more personal idea: creating a home for her family. As an interior photographer and the founder of Bali Interiors, she had spent years documenting the island’s homes, architecture and creative spaces. Eventually, she wanted to create a space of her own, somewhere she could bring together her work, her family life and her love of design.
The original house was designed as a family home, with a separate workspace and photography studio. But as life and work evolved, so did the idea for the property. What began as a place for Sheila and her family gradually became something she wanted to share with others. The transformation into Bi Design House took time, with plenty of challenges along the way, but the original intention remained: to create a place where people could feel at home, find inspiration and connect with their surroundings.
That personal history is still present in the interiors. Sheila wanted each room to have its own atmosphere rather than follow a single design trend. Original artwork, sculptural furniture, natural materials and distinctive objects come together in spaces that feel individual and lived-in. The result is a house that feels personal in every sense, where eye for design meets the warmth and ease of a home.
A Place to Create, Connect and Unwind
The idea of sharing a home extends beyond the rooms themselves. Communal spaces invite guests to spend time together, whether over a leisurely breakfast, a shared dinner or a conversation that carries on a little longer than expected. The incredibly friendly team adds to that feeling, making the house feel welcoming from the moment you arrive.
Creativity is also part of the experience. The former photography studio now serves as a workshop space, where guests can take part in activities such as ceramics and painting. Yoga and meditation offer another way to slow down, while the pool provides a place to spend a quiet afternoon overlooking the surrounding greenery.
And then there’s rescue Sugar, Bi Design House’s resident cat, who has made himself right at home as its official host. It’s a small detail, but one that fits the character of the house: personal, relaxed and full of life.
A Quieter Side of Canggu
One of the things that makes Bi Design House appealing is its setting in Babakan, a quieter part of the Canggu area. Bali’s popularity has brought plenty of energy to its best-known neighbourhoods, but it can also make a little breathing room feel especially welcome.
Here, the rice fields offer a change of scenery, while Canggu’s cafés, restaurants and beaches remain within easy reach. You can spend the day exploring, meeting friends or discovering somewhere new, then return to a calmer setting at the end of it. That balance makes Bi Design House a lovely base for travellers who want to experience the lively side of Bali without being surrounded by it all day.
Bi Design House is a place that feels less like a hotel, and more like being let in on a little secret.
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