about us

Stone House is the brainchild of founder and designer extraordinaire Walker Zabriskie, and his free-spirited life partner Wendy Kassel. Together, their dream is to provide a truly intimate experience in their soul country. Zabriskie, a 40+ year traveler and avid explorer of Southeast Asia’s nooks and crannies, along with Kassel, a resident of Asia for three decades are constantly on the quest for unique experiences. Together, the two of them created a unique hideaway just minutes from bustling downtown Ubud, Bali.

Stone House encompasses Walker’s lifelong experiences in architecture, interior design, furniture making, visit to country inns and farming to create his vision of the ultimate fantasy escape for someone lost in the jungles of Bali. The hotel is an integrated experience of staff that is like family, organic food grown on the property, and an environment of nature and buildings created from raw authentic materials such as stone, salvaged timber, mountain grass and bamboo. It is a holistic, natural experience designed to blend with the spirit of the Balinese Gods.

Ironwood timbers, hundred of years old salvaged from docks and bridges form the structures of the buildings. Some columns weighing tons were hand-winched in on beds of bananas leaves and mud, similar to how they were built hundreds of years ago. No cranes were used at Stone House. Teams of skilled Indonesian craftsmen hewed the wood, stacked the seven-meter walls, wove grass thatch and carved intricate details.  All furniture and lighting were designed by Walker to elicit the essence of originality and authenticity.

 

The unique architectural experience of Stone House, from handcrafted wood buildings, to a seven-meter tall bamboo treehouse, to an authentic Javanese farmhouse surrounded by a farm and gardens engulfs the senses. The small details of carved lights, stone walls with water walls, antique accessories and curated accoutrement is an endless feast for the eyes.

Kassel meticulously weaves her career in hospitality and tourism, with the gracious style of our Balinese hosts to create beautiful experiences for all guests. Our goal is to be authentic Balinese, rustic chic, with a bit of luxury thrown in. We prefer a private guest concept, where guests will have an unique opportunity to spend time with us, work one-on-one with our amazing staff who exude the graciousness that travelers around the world have come to know and adore.

Stone House is a tiny, boutique hotel designed so you can live amongst the most beautiful people and interesting culture in the world. A place where the landscape is lush and tropical, surrounded by palm trees. We have  a large, communal table where guests dine together every day. In the morning they are strangers and by nightfall they become friends getting to know each other, swapping stories over breakfast or dinner. It is simple, yet beautiful with an overlying sense of calm. It is a homey place that guests rave about when they get home and come back to year after year. It is a place that is all about the experience and the people you meet.

This is Stone House.

ABOUT US

Stone House is a tiny boutique b & b designed so you can live amongst the most beautiful people and interesting culture in the world. A place where the landscape is lush and tropical, surrounded by palm trees. We have a large, communal table where guests dine together every day. In the morning they are strangers and by nightfall they become friends getting to know each other, swapping stories over breakfast or dinner. It is simple, yet beautiful with an overlying sense of calm. It is a homey place that guests rave about when they get home and come back to year after year. It is a place that is all about the experience and the people you meet.

This is Stone House.

 

Stone House melds a unique vision between architecture, interior design and furniture while providing the ultimate fantasy escape for someone lost in the backroads of Bali.

Our Longhouse room is a vision of an explorer determined to live with style and comfort in a traditional longhouse deep in jungles of Borneo. Sky View is a Mediterranean style vision of crisp, white, undulating walls, handmade windows, with magnificent views of the property. Java Suite, built specifically to house three panels from a royal palace, elicits 19th century with elegance and flare. Set amidst our farm, Farmhouse combines rustic and quirky elements with complete luxe, while Treehouse is an ode to the bamboo evolution found around Bali. Built on eight meter bamboo stilts, it’s sure to provide a unique outdoor living experience. Living a dream as expressed through Stone House has always been our vision.

Ironwood timbers, hundreds of years old, salvaged from docks and bridges form the structures of the buildings. Some columns weighing tons were hand-winched in on beds of banana leaves and mud, similar to how they built hundreds of years ago. No cranes were used at Stone House. Teams of skilled Indonesian craftsmen hewed the wood, stacked the seven-meter stone walls, wove grass thatch and carved the intricate details. All furniture, lighting, and accessories were custom designed to elicit the essence of originality and authenticity.

The unique architectural experience of Stone House, from handcrafted wooden buildings, to an eight meter tall bamboo tree house, to an authentic Javanese farmhouse surrounded by farm and gardens engulfs the senses. The small details of carved lights, stone walls with water falls, antique accessories and curated room accoutrement is an endless feast for the eyes….. guests never to want to leave the property.

Stone House melds a unique vision between architecture, interior design and furniture while providing the ultimate fantasy escape for someone lost in the backroads of Bali.

Our Longhouse room is a vision of an explorer determined to live with style and comfort in a traditional longhouse deep in jungles of Borneo. Sky View is a Mediterranean style vision of crisp, white, undulating walls, handmade windows, with magnificent views of the property. Java Suite, built specifically to house three panels from a royal palace, elicits 19th century with elegance and flare. Set amidst our farm, Farmhouse combines rustic and quirky elements with complete luxe, while Treehouse is an ode to the bamboo evolution found around Bali. Built on eight meter bamboo stilts, it’s sure to provide a unique outdoor living experience. Living a dream as expressed through Stone House has always been our vision.

Ironwood timbers, hundreds of years old, salvaged from docks and bridges form the structures of the buildings. Some columns weighing tons were hand-winched in on beds of banana leaves and mud, similar to how they built hundreds of years ago. No cranes were used at Stone House. Teams of skilled Indonesian craftsmen hewed the wood, stacked the seven-meter stone walls, wove grass thatch and carved the intricate details. All furniture, lighting, and accessories were custom designed to elicit the essence of originality and authenticity.

The unique architectural experience of Stone House, from handcrafted wooden buildings, to an eight meter tall bamboo tree house, to an authentic Javanese farmhouse surrounded by farm and gardens engulfs the senses. The small details of carved lights, stone walls with water falls, antique accessories and curated room accoutrement is an endless feast for the eyes….. guests never to want to leave the property.

MEET THE TEAM

We would not be Stone House without our amazing staff! Each and everyone of them are the glue behind our tiny b & b. The Balinese are the most gracious, kind people in the world and they make everyone feel at home. Erna is busy waving her magic wand arranging logistics for guests and making last-minute dinner reservations with assistance from Iluh. Rosi, Kadek, Ketut, Agung and Koming tend to your rooms and whip up some of the most delicious breakfasts. Wayan is our main man looking after the entire property, while our other Wayan is the friendliest driver on the island. Jero and Sri are talented chefs that whip up delectable food. Jess is busy working on grounds, while Gede and Made are planting seeds and harvesting our vegetables. Lastly, Made, Gusti and Putu ensure your safety throughout the night.

MEET THE TEAM

We would not be Stone House without our amazing staff! Each and everyone of them are the glue that makes our tiny b & b work. The Balinese are the most gracious, kind people in the world and they make everyone feel at home. Erna is busy waving her magic wand arranging logistics for our guests and making last-minute dinner reservations, while Rosi, Kadek, Ketut and Iluh tend to your rooms and whip up some of the most delicious breakfasts. Wayan is our main man looking after the entire property, while our other Wayan is the smiliest, most friendly driver on the island! Jero and Agung are two of the most talented chefs, you’ll be amazed at how delectable our food is here. Jess is busy working on grounds or down in the gardens, while Iwan and Gede are planting seeds and harvesting our vegetables. Lastly, big Made and small Made ensure your safety during the night. Yay for our Balinese staff.

LULU

Lulu, Property Mascot and official canine greeter. She will either drop a ball in your lap in the hopes of a toss or two (or fifty), or curl up at your feet.

LULU

Lulu, Property Mascot and official canine greeter. She will either drop a ball in your lap in the hopes of a toss or two (or fifty), or curl up at your feet.

BELLA

Our adorable mix enjoys being on the lookout for squirrels and geckos or lazing in the sun with her bone.

BELLA

Our adorable mix enjoys being on the lookout for squirrels and geckos or lazing in the sun with her bone.

VIOLET

Our newest addition to our family….Violet, a pint size dachshund that wants to snuggle with our guests.

SUSTAINABILITY

You won’t find any plastic at Stone House. In an effort to do our part in a greener world, there are ample glass, refillable water bottles in every room. We use reusable luxury amenities in all of our rooms. A few eco friendly items provided for our guests are woven, rattan bags for shopping and portable, water bottles to take on your adventures throughout the day. 

We source all of our food locally and have a small organic farm that produces a portion of our fruit and vegetables for the kitchen.

SOCIAL

Stone House supports Rambut Untuk Harapan (Hair for Hope), the first organization in Indonesia to collect hair from around the Indonesian archipelago and produce wigs for people with cancer. rambutuntukhaparan.com