What's buzzing at Meliá Bali and chirping at Meliá Ba Vi

They might not be the first creatures that come to mind when you think of a luxury resort, but at Meliá Bali in Indonesia and Meliá Ba Vi Mountain Retreat in Vietnam, bees and birds are two of the most important members of the team. The resorts have been working hard to improve the local bee and bird populations, and they’ve just reaped the rewards of their efforts. Meliá Bali harvested its first batch of homegrown honey after adding bee hives to its organic garden while Meliá Ba Vi celebrates an impressive 115 different varieties of bird species that call the surrounding forest home.

But it’s not just about helping out our fuzzy and feathered friends—the resort teams have also created some amazing experiences for guests to enjoy.

Find out more about these unique eco-tourism activities.

Meliá Bali buzzes about local honey harvest

Meliá Bali, situated along the pristine coastline of Nusa Dua, added bee hives to its impressive 1,000 sqm organic garden.

“We wanted to play our part in supporting pollination, biodiversity, and a healthy ecosystem within our garden and also on a broader scale,” said Eduardo Perera Castro, Meliá Bali’s general manager. Honey bee populations have long been in decline around the world, and these incredible insects pollinate the majority of crops people eat. Their survival is essential.”

To keep guests safe, Meliá Bali introduced a stingless variety of bee, Trigona Laeviceps, known locally as klanceng.

“The taste of this honey is unique and different from the typical honey people are used to. It is a bit dark in color, not clear, and has a slightly sweet, sour and bitter taste blend,” added Eduardo. “It is believed to have a higher range of nutrients and nutritional value compared to normal honey bees.”

Meanwhile, the organic garden at this beachfront resort in Bali grows an array of fruits and vegetables such as bok choy and tomatoes. These nutritious and fresh ingredients are transformed into delicious yet healthy food in the resort’s restaurants. The fun part? You and your children can take a tour of the organic garden and develop new skills in nature by joining the planting activities.

travel-asia-now-Melia Bali's Organic Garden-hotels with animal experiences — *You and your children can take a tour of the organic garden*.

First harvest of honey adds a unique flavor to the resort’s dining options

In true farm-to-table fashion⁠—a concept at the core of Meliá Bali’s food offering and several of the Meliá hotels and resorts in the region⁠—the first harvest will be used in the property’s restaurants and cafe.

While staying at the resort, you can find this honey at the honey bar during breakfast, along with other honey types from around the Indonesian Archipelago. As the yield increases, you will be able to buy your own jar as a reminder of your stay at Meliá Bali.

travel-asia-now-Melia Bali Honey — *The hotel’s first batch of homegrown honey has just been harvested, perfect for sweetening tea or spreading on toast.*

Meliá Ba Vi Mountain Retreat in Vietnam draws a feathered crowd

Surrounded by the primordial forest of Ba Vi National Park, Meliá Ba Vi Mountain Retreat has no shortage of feathered friends. In fact, the 10,815-hectare national park is home to 115 different varieties of bird species.

Birds like the Large-tailed Nightjar, Indian Cuckoo, Asian Koel, Spotted Dove, and Kingfisher have made their homes in the tropical jungle and amid the time-worn remains of French colonial ruins that have been reclaimed by nature.

Embrace local wildlife at Meliá Ba Vi

To experience the diverse wildlife, you can take part in hiking trips—solo or guided—or slower-paced activities such as the retreat’s forest bathing offering.

If you prefer not to venture far, you can feed birds onsite. The hotel is home to around 300 to 400 birds. Daily from 10:00 a.m to 10:30 a.m. and again from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., guests are invited to a feeding session where hotel staff help explain—especially to children—the importance of protecting nature and animals.

travel-asia-now-Melia Ba Vi Mountain Retreat-hotels with animal experiences — *At Meliá Ba Vi, you can feed the birds on-site and explore the nature trails through the stunning Vietnamese countryside.*

“We want to move beyond just protecting the local animals in the locations we serve. We want to help them and introduce to others how they may too,” said Ignacio Martin, Meliá’s managing director for Southeast Asia.

“In Thailand, we already took this to the next level at Meliá Koh Samui, when we provided additional land to help feed elephants rescued from exploitation activities,” he added.

In 2021, Meliá Koh Samui launched a 250 sqm community farm with 200 banana trees, as well as elephant fodder such as napier and sweet grass, to support the Samui Elephant Haven.

So if you are looking for a hotel with animal experiences, you know where to go. Meliá Bali and Meliá Ba Vi Mountain Retreat offer unique experiences that are perfect for animal lovers of all ages. Not only will you get to enjoy the company of some furry or feathered friends, but you’ll also be supporting sustainable initiatives that help protect local wildlife.