When Alban Kibarer first arrived in Bali nearly two decades ago, few could have imagined that this young French entrepreneur would one day redefine the island’s hospitality landscape. As the founder of K Club Ubud, he introduced a bold new concept: the “festive hotel,” where guests don’t just come to relax, but to live, connect, and celebrate life in a club-like, immersive atmosphere. Today, Alban is writing a new chapter - one dedicated to wellness - while continuing to expand his creative vision across Bali.
iPremium: When you first arrived in Bali years ago, what was the island like at the time?
Alban: I moved to Bali in 2008. Back then, the island welcomed around two to three million tourists a year - compared to nearly ten million today. It had a completely different vibe: fewer visitors, fewer hotels, and most guests were couples seeking a peaceful escape. You rarely came across solo travelers or groups. That’s changed dramatically. Between 2005 and 2025, Bali has ‘premiumized’ - luxury hotel chains and high-end restaurants have poured in. Improved air connections played a key role, too. Where once you could only reach the island via Singapore or Malaysia, you can now fly direct from Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul. Bali has become far more accessible, which has reshaped its entire tourism scene.”
iPremium: After all these years, what kind of emotional connection do you have with this place? Is it love, a sanctuary, or a challenge?
Alban: It’s a love story, above all else. The Balinese people are extraordinary - their kindness and culture remain untouched despite the island’s rapid evolution. But it’s also a daily challenge. Indonesia is still a developing country, and its rules aren’t always foreigner-friendly. You constantly have to adapt, to navigate a complex legal environment. It’s a permanent challenge, but if you’re aware of that from the start, you learn to roll with it.”
Alban: I moved to Bali in 2008. Back then, the island welcomed around two to three million tourists a year - compared to nearly ten million today. It had a completely different vibe: fewer visitors, fewer hotels, and most guests were couples seeking a peaceful escape. You rarely came across solo travelers or groups. That’s changed dramatically. Between 2005 and 2025, Bali has ‘premiumized’ - luxury hotel chains and high-end restaurants have poured in. Improved air connections played a key role, too. Where once you could only reach the island via Singapore or Malaysia, you can now fly direct from Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul. Bali has become far more accessible, which has reshaped its entire tourism scene.”
iPremium: After all these years, what kind of emotional connection do you have with this place? Is it love, a sanctuary, or a challenge?
Alban: It’s a love story, above all else. The Balinese people are extraordinary - their kindness and culture remain untouched despite the island’s rapid evolution. But it’s also a daily challenge. Indonesia is still a developing country, and its rules aren’t always foreigner-friendly. You constantly have to adapt, to navigate a complex legal environment. It’s a permanent challenge, but if you’re aware of that from the start, you learn to roll with it.”
iPremium: How did the idea of a “festive hotel” come to life?
Alban: Initially, we had designed our property for an older clientele. Then COVID hit. Suddenly, the kind of travelers who remained in Bali changed - more young people, more open to social experiences. Almost spontaneously, the hotel became festive. And people loved that contrast: the ability to party and unwind. That duality became our signature - a sanctuary of opposites, where celebration meets recovery.
However, the hotel’s remote location made evening events harder to access, and that came with potential risks for guests. So, we decided to reimagine one of our venues as a wellness retreat, while the festive spirit would live on through our restaurant.”
Alban: Initially, we had designed our property for an older clientele. Then COVID hit. Suddenly, the kind of travelers who remained in Bali changed - more young people, more open to social experiences. Almost spontaneously, the hotel became festive. And people loved that contrast: the ability to party and unwind. That duality became our signature - a sanctuary of opposites, where celebration meets recovery.
However, the hotel’s remote location made evening events harder to access, and that came with potential risks for guests. So, we decided to reimagine one of our venues as a wellness retreat, while the festive spirit would live on through our restaurant.”
iPremium: Why pivot toward wellness? And how are you developing that vision?
Alban: From the start, our spa wasn’t just a list of treatments - it was designed as an immersive, romantic space, created to offer couples unforgettable experiences. Not just services added along the way, but a fully thought-out journey.
Then, wellness professionals who stayed with us encouraged me to take things further: to bring in cutting-edge technologies - cryotherapy, cold plunges, infrared therapy. The goal is clear: to offer a holistic wellbeing experience. It’s no longer just about massages or beauty treatments. It’s a true reconnection with the body, integrated into the pleasure of a holiday. We’re worlds away from the dull old-school thalassotherapy of the past.”
Alban: From the start, our spa wasn’t just a list of treatments - it was designed as an immersive, romantic space, created to offer couples unforgettable experiences. Not just services added along the way, but a fully thought-out journey.
Then, wellness professionals who stayed with us encouraged me to take things further: to bring in cutting-edge technologies - cryotherapy, cold plunges, infrared therapy. The goal is clear: to offer a holistic wellbeing experience. It’s no longer just about massages or beauty treatments. It’s a true reconnection with the body, integrated into the pleasure of a holiday. We’re worlds away from the dull old-school thalassotherapy of the past.”
iPremium: What sets the atmosphere of your hotel apart from other luxury properties?
Alban: Energy. That’s the real difference. Many luxury hotels are discreet to the point of being frozen in time. We speak to a mid- to high-end clientele that wants to feel alive.
Yes, they expect luxury - but they also want to be guided, surprised, and taken care of. We offer complete support, refinement, and a human, vibrant, and authentic touch. It’s a blend of wellness, fun, gastronomy, and emotion.”
iPremium: Among the iconic elements of your hotel - like the now-famous jungle tent or the surprise erotic box - which one resonates with you most personally?
Alban: The erotic box, without question. It’s unexpected, and yet it’s incredibly well received.
Guests don’t come here to fix their relationships, but this playful touch can spark unforgettable moments, a sense of intimacy, a new kind of connection. It’s a delicate surprise - when used well, it becomes something magical. And above all, it never leaves anyone indifferent.”
Alban: Energy. That’s the real difference. Many luxury hotels are discreet to the point of being frozen in time. We speak to a mid- to high-end clientele that wants to feel alive.
Yes, they expect luxury - but they also want to be guided, surprised, and taken care of. We offer complete support, refinement, and a human, vibrant, and authentic touch. It’s a blend of wellness, fun, gastronomy, and emotion.”
iPremium: Among the iconic elements of your hotel - like the now-famous jungle tent or the surprise erotic box - which one resonates with you most personally?
Alban: The erotic box, without question. It’s unexpected, and yet it’s incredibly well received.
Guests don’t come here to fix their relationships, but this playful touch can spark unforgettable moments, a sense of intimacy, a new kind of connection. It’s a delicate surprise - when used well, it becomes something magical. And above all, it never leaves anyone indifferent.”
iPremium: Tell us about your beach club project in southern Bali. What’s next?
Alban: In 2024, we launched a beachside restaurant and club that’s our homage to the European art of living - right here in Bali. The location is exceptional: we were lucky to secure one of the island’s rare, truly beautiful and swimmable beaches.
It gave us the freedom to craft a refined yet relaxed space unlike any other.
The next step is ambitious: a full resort built around a new beach club, planned for 2026–2027, again in southern Bali. We want to take the immersive experience even further.
Alban: In 2024, we launched a beachside restaurant and club that’s our homage to the European art of living - right here in Bali. The location is exceptional: we were lucky to secure one of the island’s rare, truly beautiful and swimmable beaches.
It gave us the freedom to craft a refined yet relaxed space unlike any other.
The next step is ambitious: a full resort built around a new beach club, planned for 2026–2027, again in southern Bali. We want to take the immersive experience even further.
