Candidasa sits on Bali’s east coast, away from the island’s larger resort areas. Overlooking the Nusa islands, The SEED Bali is a private oceanfront estate designed for exclusive use stays. With fewer crowds and a strong connection to traditional Balinese culture, the area continues to call to creatives.
Set across 6,400sqm of tropical coastline, the property is designed as an exclusive-use resort with eight bedrooms spread across four villas. Palm trees, waterfalls and gardens frame the estate, with spaces that range from treetop hideaways to traditional Balinese sandalwood Joglos. Across the grounds are a private beachfront, an ocean deck, yoga shala, outdoor cinema, jungle gym, infrared sauna, cold plunge pools and a whole-food focused restaurant. Guests stay on a private estate supported by a dedicated team, with itineraries shaped around adventure, wellness and cultural immersion.
Now in line with its creative roots, The SEED is expanding its creative offering with the launch of a music retreat programme. We spoke with Dan Watson, Head of Operations at The SEED and a hospitality veteran with more than two decades of experience across the UK, EMEA and Southeast Asia, about the origins of the estate and how music became part of its atmosphere.
A private estate built for shared experiences
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The story of The SEED began as a personal project. According to Watson, the owner initially set out to create a quiet place away from the busier parts of Bali, “The original idea for The Seed came from the owner, Logan Bailey, who initially wanted a private place for his family away from the hustle and bustle of Bali’s west coast. The east coast offered that sense of peace and space.”
As the project evolved, the scale and setting of the estate suggested a different possibility, “One evening whilst looking out over the ocean, the idea evolved into creating something more, a resort-style estate where others could experience this setting as well. When I came on board, we developed the concept further.”
What emerged was something that sits between a private villa and a boutique resort, “It quickly became clear the property was unlike anything else in Bali, so the focus shifted to creating a truly unique private estate experience that combines the privacy of a villa with the facilities and service of a boutique resort.”
Choosing Bali’s quieter east coast
Rather than building in Bali’s better-known resort areas, the team chose the eastern coast, and for Watson, Candidasa reflects the true nature of the island, “We chose Candidasa because it represents what I like to call ‘old Bali’. The area is home to some of the island’s oldest villages and is deeply rooted in tradition, with a much more authentic and cultural feel.”
Compared to the west coast, the atmosphere is calmer with less crowds, “Unlike the busy west coast areas like Canggu or Seminyak, there’s no traffic, no constant noise, and no crowds. Instead, you have ocean views, mountains behind you, and a slower, more peaceful pace of life, which felt like the perfect setting for the kind of private, immersive experience we wanted The Seed to offer.” The surrounding area remains closely tied to Balinese heritage, and you’ll find Bali’s oldest traditional village, Tenganan nearby, while coral reefs off the coastline offer snorkelling directly from the estate.
Music as part of the atmosphere
Music has been part of the estate almost from the beginning and Watson says the owner’s own love of playing music shaped the design of the property, “The owner is a huge music lover and is in a band himself, which is actually where the inspiration for Villa Underground came from, a nod to The Velvet Underground.”
The villa includes an underground music room designed as a soundproof space for rehearsals, recording sessions or late-night listening. “The villa features an underground music room that can function as a private club or band practice room, complete with fully soundproofed walls and instruments.”
He adds, that over time, visiting musicians began to use the space as well, “Over the years we’ve also had DJ guests like Jamie Jones and Fred Again stay with us and record here, so music has always been part of the atmosphere at The Seed.” And so, launching a music retreat felt like a natural progression,“Creating a dedicated music retreat felt like a very natural next step. The jungle and ocean surroundings seriously inspire.”
A retreat open to all creatives
Although a number of well-known artists have spent time at the estate, the new programme has been designed for a wider audience. “Though we have had a few famous artists stay, the new music retreat programme is open to everyone, from complete beginners to experienced producers.”
The focus here is less on status and more on creating a space where people can explore ideas freely, “Our retreats are really about bringing like-minded people together in a serene, calming environment where they have the freedom to explore whatever inspires them.”
As such, Watson hopes the programme will bring together a mix of guests with different creative interests, “We hope to attract a mix of creatives, musicians, and curious individuals who are looking for both personal inspiration and a space to reset, learn, and connect with others.”
Why Bali continues to inspire artists
For decades Bali has drawn artists, musicians and writers and Watson believes that combination of culture, and spirituality plays a huge role, “I think Bali has always had a very special energy to it. The island sits along powerful ley lines, which many say contributes to the strong spiritual and creative energy people feel when they arrive.”
Alongside that is the island’s long-standing tradition of craft and performance, “Bali has such a rich culture of art, music, craftsmanship, and spirituality, and life moves at a slightly slower pace here. That combination tends to give creatives the space and inspiration to think differently, reset, and create.”
Within the estate itself, the environment encourages both solitude and collaboration for the best of both worlds. He shares, “You’re surrounded by ocean, mountains, gardens, and different spaces across the estate, which gives people the freedom to explore, think, and create without distraction.”
At the same time, the shared nature of the property brings guests together naturally, “Because guests are all staying together on a private estate, it naturally brings people together.”
Quick Summary – The SEED Bali Music Retreat
- 📍 Location: Candidasa, Bali, Indonesia
- ✨ Experience type: Private oceanfront estate and creative music retreat
- 🔑 Unique selling point: Exclusive-use estate combining boutique resort facilities with a soundproof underground music studio for recording and collaboration
- 🎵 New programme: Music retreats open to beginners, producers and musicians seeking inspiration in Bali’s quieter east coast
- 👤 Ideal for: Creatives, musicians and travellers looking for a secluded, immersive retreat focused on music, wellness and cultural discovery
