To the seasoned Southeast Asian traveller, Borobudur Temple and fuming Mount Merapi are the first images that come to mind when anyone suggests a trip to Central Java. But rising above the island’s commercial capital of Surakarta (also known colloquially as Solo) is the Alila Solo hotel. And atop this building is a lush garden providing fresh organic produce for the restaurants within.

But besides providing a sustainable supply of herbs and vegetables, the Sky Garden also welcomes guests participating in the hotel’s Épice restaurant cooking experience to handpick their own ingredients (USD 35++ per person). On this journey from garden to plate, guests will learn how to cook three or four authentic Indonesian dishes, which they will then enjoy for lunch at a venue of their choice: the main restaurant, pool deck or in their room or suite.

Special ingredients are also harvested to create signature cocktails by the resident mixologists of Agra Rooftop bar and lounge (USD 40++ per person). Guests can try their hand at concocting these garden-to-glass tipples in a fun Mixology Class for two, learning how to whip up a cocktail like a pro from Agra’s bartenders. Guests will be served a delicious platter of food to share while waiting to unleash their inner mixologist.

For reservations and inquiries, please visit Alila Hotels or email solo@alilahotels.com