George & Cisco Gorrow: The Slow

Set on the coast of Canggu, Bali, welcome to The Slow; a multifaceted island stay incorporating boutique accommodation, all-day dining, art, local culture, and interactive retail. A stay at The Slow is an immersive experience; it’s a place to rest your bones, stir your senses, and expand your mind. Below we spoke to George, one half of The Slow duo.

The Slow incorporates traditional elements with a modernist twist; it’s very organic with tropical textures and a warm but minimalist feel. It’s about balance and a clashing of styles. The design is made up of very simple, clean lines, with the use of textures over the basic shape being at the core of the concept and central to the design. The Slow uses an overabundance of treatments and locally sourced and locally made materials to give depth and warmth, and to really secure its relevance to the island.

How did The Slow come about, and why?

The idea to do a hotel – or rather an island stay and restaurant - had been in the back of my head for a very long time. Canggu is arguably the fastest growing area in Bali, and while it’s undoubtedly bursting with tourists, it also has a really strong community of cool and creative people. It was the perfect spot to build, without a shadow of doubt. There’s a very modern and healthy attitude towards living amongst this community. It’s a peaceful approach to rage against the machine, a new way of thinking and living boosted by an overarching sense of freedom.

What is the philosophy of The Slow?

Get here fast, take it slow. Check out of life by checking in. We’re for the young and the non-traditional, we don’t have TV sets or desks just to tick a box. Our rooms and our project generally is designed to reflect what is relevant to our generation, and this constantly evolving island. We are about trying something new, and we are totally fine turning our back on the historical classics to be right here and right now instead.

Why Bali? How did you end up here?

I have always had a strong connection to Bali, ever since my Dad brought me here to surf Ulluwatu when I was about 14. I’ve been lucky enough to travel a lot during my life, and I always wondered if somewhere in the world would finally say “stop here, call me home.” Bali did that a while back now, and to this day it’s the only spot that ever has. Funnily enough I then fell in love here, and it’s the place that I asked my now wife of ten years to marry me. After that we moved to NYC for a while, before realising Bali was everything we wanted.

What was life like before The Slow, and how has life changed since the launch?

I’ll be honest, it was a little more relaxing! I was in a semi-retirement; surfing, relaxing, watching grass grow, being a little recluse at times. We were practising the art of not being busy, it made sense at the time and felt right. Then The Slow came along and all of a sudden we had our own cute Balinese version of Faulty Towers. It’s good to get creative again and try something new, and it came along at a really great time. The project embraced all the things my wife and I had been doing in our careers, so the combination is keeping it interesting, as is the chance to work alongside some really great people.

What challenges do you face in managing a business in Bali; and any advice to others thinking of making the sea change?

Wow, there’s plenty, but they are everywhere really. We’re finding it so interesting to navigate the complexities of it.

All I can say is: Get a great advisor to help guide you, and be respectful to the locals, and then everything should work out fine. Enjoy the ride. And don’t forget the alternative is what pushed you to the island in the first place.

We fell in love with The Slow, their owners, and the ethos of the place - not to mention the interiors. For more on The Slow, see our earlier Edit at www.thelifestyleedit.com.au.

VISIT: www.theslow.id | @the.slow