a place to truly getaway | buahan, a banyan tree escape
Some places you visit. Others leave a lasting mark. Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in Bali’s central highlands is a chance to reset and to reconnect with yourself and the world around you.
Located in Payangan, far from Bali’s busy beaches and nightlife, Buahan is surrounded by jungle, rice fields, and the Ayung River. What you find here is something quieter, more reflective. A retreat in every sense of the word — not just a break from routine, but a return to what feels essential. It sits on land that local communities believe holds deep spiritual significance — a place where the energy of the earth is especially strong.
Surrounded by dense jungle, rivers, and rice fields, Buahan offers a deep sense of place. Locals believe this area sits on a powerful energy line, where the boundary between the physical and spiritual world feels thinner. Whether or not you believe in that, it’s hard to deny the effect of the landscape. You slow down almost immediately. The stillness isn’t just in the air — it’s in the way your body responds to it.
Life at Buahan moves at a different pace. There are no set schedules, no pressure to do anything at all. Days unfold naturally — with yoga at sunrise, sound healing, food foraging, or quiet walks through the forest. Meals are made with ingredients grown nearby or gathered from the surrounding land, and cooked in traditional kitchens alongside local chefs. Here, food is not just fuel — it’s a connection to place, history, and people.
This isn’t a place built around activity. There’s no rush here, no checklist to complete. Life unfolds gently. You might begin your morning with yoga as the sun rises over the valley, followed by sound healing or a walk into the forest to forage for local herbs. Meals are prepared using ingredients grown in nearby gardens or gathered from the surrounding land, and you’re welcome to cook alongside local chefs in a traditional open-air kitchen known as a paon. It’s not just about eating well — it’s about understanding where food comes from, and how it connects us to nature and tradition.
Accommodations at Buahan are designed to remove barriers between you and the environment. Villas are open to the elements — no walls, no air conditioning, no screens. You sleep to the sound of flowing water and wake to birdsong. You shower under the sky and move through your space in tune with the weather, the light, the rhythm of the day. It’s a way of living that encourages presence. You start to notice things — the smell of the rain, the texture of the wood beneath your feet, the quality of silence around you.
But what makes Buahan truly memorable isn’t just the setting — it’s the people. The team here is warm, generous, and deeply connected to the land. Their hospitality isn’t scripted. It’s grounded in real relationships and a cultural value system that emphasizes respect, sincerity, and shared experience. You feel it in every interaction — not as something extra, but as something essential.
Spirituality is woven into daily life. You’ll see it in the offerings placed at shrines and doorways. You may be invited to participate in a purification ritual at a nearby spring, or receive a personal blessing from a village priest. These moments aren’t performances or curated experiences — they’re everyday expressions of belief and connection. They create space for reflection, for intention, for release.
Outside the retreat, ancient temples softened by time and moss invite quiet exploration. Paths wind through rice terraces and forest trails. You can walk or cycle for hours without seeing another person — just the land, alive and unhurried. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to go far to find something meaningful. You just have to slow down enough to notice it. Everything about Buahan is designed to help you do just that — to pause, to breathe, to pay attention. It’s not about luxury in the traditional sense.
And when it’s time to leave, something within you resists — not out of reluctance, but reverence. Because you know: you are not leaving it. You are taking it with you. It’s a mantra of a different way of being because Buahan lives in you now — the forest air, the hush of temple stones, the green so alive it’s etched into memory. You return not just with souvenirs, but with a recalibrated soul. It’s not a retreat from who you are — it’s a return to what matters, which is peace.
Learn more about Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, banyantree.com.
Filmmaker. Explorer. Storyteller. If anyone knows how to collect stamps on a passport and leave an impression wherever she goes, it’s Marcia Kimpton. The award-winning filmmaker, author, and creative force behind ‘An American in Amsterdam,’ out May 1st, and the upcoming film ‘An American Abroad’ isn’t just passing through life — she’s chronicling it, questioning it, and turning it into art. With more than 40 accolades to her name and a new travel-meets-film app, ‘Kimpton Travels and Films’, she continues to merge cinematic storytelling with the magic of place.
As the daughter of the legendary Bill Kimpton — founder of the Kimpton Hotels — Marcia has always had an eye for style, soul, and wanderlust. But she’s also carved her own path. Her journey, which she candidly explores in her book ‘Escaping the Hollywood Bardo’, is one of resilience, reinvention, and unshakable self-discovery. Her storytelling style? Unfiltered, deeply human, and hungry for meaning.
For Schön!’s first edition of ‘passport,’ our recurring series which explores the cities, restaurants, museums, and travel anecdotes that have left their mark (or stamp), we sit down with Marcia Kimption to chat about the cities that shaped her and how travel can be the first step toward transformation.
Where is your favourite place to travel to and why?
My favourite place to travel to is the country of France. I have visited so many times, I’ve literally lost count. I’ve been to Paris many times, but I’ve also visited Normandy in the northwest, Strasbourg in the east, Bourgogne in the east-central region, Provence in the southeast, the French Alps in Courchevel, and I bought a place in Vence in 2022 overlooking the Côte d’Azur because I love the French Riviera so much. Every time I return to almost any place in France, I feel like I’m having the best food, the best service, in the most beautiful, chic restaurant, whether looking at art on the wall or the gorgeous Mediterranean, surrounded by incredible historical culture. I’m never disappointed with France, except when it comes to driving. Drivers act like they’re in the Grand Prix (which is on my bucket list to experience in Monaco). So, if I can avoid driving in France, I do — it’s the only downside!
Has there been an exceptional experience — an attraction, a delicious dish, a hotel, or something else — that you still can’t stop thinking about?
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France is my dream hotel for elegance, service, food, views, and the epic landscaped grounds. It feels like stepping back into old Hollywood glamour. Everyone in Hollywood — past and present — has stayed at this stunning, historic hotel. Known as the French Riviera Grande Dame, it was originally a writer’s retreat in 1870, renovated and reopened in 1889 for the rich and famous. It was immortalized by F. Scott Fitzgerald in ‘Tender Is the Night’. Having lunch at the Grill, looking at the Île Sainte-Marguerite or Cannes on the Mediterranean while sipping Chablis with grilled artichokes and freshly caught fish, it’s something I dream of repeating.
The other place I must mention is the Gritti Palace in Venice, Italy. Built in 1475 and later the private home of Doge Andrea Gritti, it became a luxury hotel in 1895. I’ve stayed at the legendary Cipriani and the chic Aman hotel, but nothing compares to sipping an Aperol spritz at the Gritti bar at sunset, watching gondolas drift by. It’s magical.
Travelling is such an eye-opening experience, what have you learned about yourself while exploring new places?
I’ve learned that there are so many wonderful people around the world who want to share their culture, art, music, food, and history. I love learning about new places, but what I love most is discovering just how many good people there are in the world. My advice: turn off the news and travel — it will remind you how beautiful the world can be.
What is one of your favourite travel memories?
It’s hard to pick one favourite memory, but a standout is staying at the Mithra Cave Hotel in Cappadocia while filming An American Abroad. I asked the front desk about filming locations, and the general manager, Emre Toybikik, immediately stepped up and showed us around. Within one day, we were booked to film the stunning hot air balloons, a rock-and-roll off-road jeep tour, and wild horses racing by, all thanks to Emre. My cinematographer, Justin McAleece, captured it all beautifully. We had full access to the hotel for filming and were honoured by the mayor afterward for promoting tourism. None of it was pre-planned due to my limited budget, but thanks to the incredible Cappadocians — and especially Emre — it became one of my greatest travel and filmmaking experiences.
One place you’re dying to visit?
I’ve been dying to visit Croatia for a long time. I just found out today that ‘An American Abroad’ got selected for the Croatian International Film Festival and will be screened on August 11 just outside Split. I’m thrilled!
Your new app, ‘Kimpton Travels and Films’, combines your passion for travel and cinema. What do you hope users will take away from it?
I hope users feel they’re getting great value from my curated movie suggestions. I spend a lot of time finding hidden gems in a world full of bad movies. I also hope the app helps travellers discover unique spots in the countries I’ve explored. I love travel and film — so why not bring them together?
Amsterdam holds a special place in your heart—what is it about the city that keeps drawing you back?
Amsterdam is the city I’ve visited more than any other outside of New York and LA. I loved it so much, I became a resident in under two years. Its canals are stunning — like Venice but different — and my apartment overlooked them in the historic golden age district. The Dutch are open, friendly, and speak perfect English, as do most people there from all over the world. It’s a city rich in art, from museums to cafes and galleries. I even bought two affordable paintings from Dutch artist Marthijn de Groot. But my favourite part? Biking everywhere — the bikes rule the city!
‘An American in Amsterdam’ explores love, loss, and adventure — what inspired this story, and how did your personal experiences shape the film?
The film was inspired by my love for Amsterdam, and I wanted the city to feel like a character in itself. The story reflects my friendships with women and was influenced by the British series ‘Absolutely Fabulous’. My friend Shirley Robinson offered to play a lead role — she’s not an actress but she’s hilarious and a natural. We rewrote the script to be funnier and were filming just six weeks later. We laughed daily and had a blast. Acting is harder than people think, especially comedy, and Shirley nailed it. The only time we improvised was during real street interviews. Although the film was shortened due to the pandemic, I’m proud of how it turned out.
You lived in Amsterdam for two years during COVID. How did that experience influence the film’s narrative and tone?
COVID didn’t influence the tone of the film because we finished filming just before the pandemic. However, it did impact the length — we couldn’t return to complete the planned 80 minutes, so the final version is 55 minutes long.
What were some of the biggest challenges in making this film, particularly as an independent filmmaker?
The biggest challenge is always funding, especially as a woman in independent film. We didn’t have enough money — my credit card stopped working and Shirley even paid for our crew lunch party! I was staying at the Kimpton DeWitt hotel trying to figure out how to pay the bill — despite sharing the name, it wasn’t free! Everyone goes over budget, even Oliver Stone, whose memoir I loved. Despite the stress, we got creative, found ways to make it work, and the kindness of the Dutch people made it possible. My location scout, Diederick de Mann, and casting director, Sandra Rake, believed in the project and helped make it happen. I write about all of this in my memoir, ‘Escaping the Hollywood Bardo,’ to inspire other women to direct.
You’re known for pushing boundaries in storytelling. Were there any risks or unconventional choices you made in An American in Amsterdam?
I always push boundaries, and in this film, the biggest risk was approaching real people on the street without offending them — even though Shirley’s character sometimes teased them. We made sure to only include those who signed release forms and avoided anything exploitative like Borat. Our goal was to make people laugh with us, not at them.
You’ve won over 40 awards for your films. What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers trying to break into the industry?
We’ve won six awards so far for ‘An American in Amsterdam’, and over 40 for ‘Bardo Blues,’ now on Amazon. My advice: don’t be discouraged if you don’t get into big festivals like Sundance or Cannes — keep submitting. Find your unique story and keep refining it until it feels complete. Don’t let a lack of funding stop you. If you never take no for an answer, you’ll find people who believe in your vision. Making a film is incredibly hard, but it’s also incredibly rewarding—and I’ll never give up doing it.
A new era of live music is unfolding. One where electronic sounds transport revellers into immersive realms. In this world, location, energy and cinematic atmosphere have become as vital as the music itself. Ravers no longer just attend parties, but enter curated spaces where the synergy between sound, visuals and backdrop make for viral moments that linger long after the melody fades.
Though not an unfamiliar concept, the shift to immersive live experiences has gained rapid momentum across the globe. Some of the dance scene’s most prominent figures are boosting their reach by staging large-scale audiovisual installations at iconic sites, from ancient pyramids to Roman theatres and mountaintops. The sheer spectacle of rare and unique settings is enough to draw partygoers across borders in search of something unforgettable.
At the forefront of this magic is HangarCreates, a Belgian agency redefining set design in electronic music and beyond. Schön! spoke to Co-founder Marvin Weymeersch about the art of creating multi-sensory live events in far flung destinations. “Set design adds a second layer – it merges different art forms and develops other senses. You hear, you see, sometimes even smell. It changes the way people experience the party,” says Weymeersch. HangarCreates remains steadfast in creating spaces worth venturing to. Their graceful blend of art, architecture and emotion has been instrumental in the meteoric rise of sensorial landscapes and is reshaping the electronic music experience.
Originally an event collective, Hangar established its creative voice during the 2020 lockdown by live-streaming DJ sets from empty landmarks. Their bold visuals quickly attracted artists far beyond club culture. Now, its core “360° approach” lies in curating environments where every detail, from production to lighting, creates a truly transcendental experience.
The visual universe of artists, like the Keinemusik Kloud or Adriatique’s X, are meticulously realised by HangarCreates’ visionary team. At the heart of each project is a deep sensitivity to setting. “The location always comes first,” says Weymeersch. “It defines what is possible [and] what makes sense. When you’re at the pyramids for example, you don’t try to hide them – you work with them.” The team brought Keinemusik’s identity to life in their 2024 set at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt, where the group’s signature peace sign illuminated the sky. Blending music, history and technology, it was the first-ever drone show in the area and proved to be an innovative way of using design to merge culture and tourism. The journey continued in Switzerland, where a pyro drone show lit up the sky with Audemars Piguet’s timepiece and the Kloud peace symbol, fusing storytelling with artistic concept.
Each HangarCreates project is deeply collaborative. With Swiss electronic duo Adriatique, their defining “X” is weaved into every show, amplifying the hypnotic pull of their euphoric sound. While Dutch DJs ANOTR’s latest stage design enveloped the crowd under a cozy mushroom “on a trip” of a lifetime. The team is now partnering with the likes of Canadian DJ Blond:ish and Brazilian DJ Mochakk, while bringing boundary pushing shows to life like Anyma’s upcoming open air takeover at the Atomium in Brussels – a monumental display that Weymeersch says will feature “drones, pyrotechnics and more.” HangarCreates is continuously setting a new standard in the electronic scene, pioneering where music, travel and experiential artistry intersect.
As the temperature starts to rise, Ibiza’s dance floors begin to rumble with the beating pulse of sound systems. This weekend house and electronic music lovers descended on the Spanish island to welcome in the 2025 party season, and the iconic Pacha Ibiza opened its doors with a vibrant residency lineup including the likes of Solomun and Purple Disco Machine.
Known for its eclectic mix of the world’s hottest DJs, Pacha Ibiza’s opening weekend was sizzling with excitement as melodic house DJ Solomun commanded the floor on 25 April. The crowd was electric and the venue was packed with the kind of sun kissed magic that has made Pacha Ibiza a tried and true crowd favourite. From 8 June till 5 October, Solomun is set to take over Sundays at the club with his +1 concept, playing back-to-back with special guests.
Purple Disco Machine ignited the floor the following evening, making for a balmy night filled with classics. The Grammy award winner played an infectious mix of electro infused funk and disco. The feel good vibes were palpable and only a taste of what’s to come for the rest of Pacha Ibiza’s summer lineup. Party goers can expect residencies from an array of heavy hitters every night of the week such as Blond:ish on Wednesday nights from 21 May and Sonny Fodera on Mondays from 16 June.
Alongside the club’s signature party Flower Power with Bora Uzer, this year also sees the comeback of Pure Pacha on Saturdays, headlined by German DJ Robin Schulz on various dates in May and September. Five decades into its legacy, Pacha Ibiza continues to hold its title as an emblem of night life in Europe. Located just opposite Pacha Hotel, it’s conveniently placed on the island, especially after a day spent sunbathing and exploring. Ibiza itself is a platter of exciting live music, so a night at one of the most iconic platforms for house music is not to be missed.
See Pacha Ibiza full 2025 lineup and event tickets here.
photography. Courtesy of Pacha Ibiza
words. Shama Nasinde
