Ubud is a town in central Bali. It is a great destination for the more cultured luxury traveler. It is certainly a world away from the beach party scene in Kuta. Ubud is famous for its arts and crafts and is packed full of galleries selling paintings and artisan goods, as well as cafes and restaurants.
This region has some of the most stunning hotels in the world. Dotted between the verdant rice fields and palm trees that grow up the majestic hillsides, luxury hotels are built into and upon these hills, which means that they offer breathtaking views and many offer rooms with their own private pools.
I would recommend spending some time in and around Ubud to appreciate it properly and to truly unwind. It’s one of those places where days can become weeks and weeks become months. For me, the perfect twin-center combination in Bali must surely be a week in Ubud and then a week on the beach.
Visit any month except January and February when the rain can be pretty continuous. Due to its elevation at 200m above sea level, it is also worth noting that Ubud enjoys cooler temperatures than the coast, so bring a sweater for the evening.
Below we have outlined the top 10 best luxury hotels in Ubud, Bali, which will give you the best possible experience during your stay in this magical area of the world.
1. The Purist Villas & Spa
The Purist Villas & Spa is a beautiful, luxury boutique resort full of relaxation near Ubud, Bali’s spiritual and artistic heart. This boutique resort comprises of 18 uniquely styled and tastefully appointed Bali luxury villas surrounded by a contemporary atmosphere and a deep sense of tranquility.
Nestled into the natural Balinese surroundings, the resort can be reached with a four-minute drive from Ubud, passing stunning rice fields and glimpsing traditional rituals and cultural activities of the local Balinese people. The resort boasts English-speaking staff, excellent service, and a very warm Balinese welcome.
The Purist Villas & Spa features a beautiful pool surrounded by sun loungers and beds, while Purist Spa can be found on an elevated floor, just a few steps above the emerald swimming pool. The spa offers a selection of signature massages featuring South East Asia’s most trusted techniques, provided by highly trained professionals. The Purist Villas yoga sessions are available in all disciplines and designed to release anxiety and calm the mind with happiness, peace, and tranquility.
During your stay, the resort can also arrange additional activities, including tours and treks, rafting and cycling, mountain climbing, quad adventures, elephant safaris, dance and cookery classes, batik painting, and healing; all for an additional fee.
In terms of dining, Café Balisimo presents a range of seasonal menus based on nutritious, minimally processed ingredients and the best available fresh products. It also serves complimentary afternoon teas every day, and outside of mealtimes, guests can enjoy healthy Balinese and other Asian tapas and sip cocktails at the main pool outdoor lounge.
The Purist Villas & Spa aims to connect its guests with Bali’s many spiritual and artistic traditions, which can be seen in the way they have furnished the Purist Villas with only the most beautiful and authentic artifacts that have been slowly accumulated from travels throughout the Indonesian islands.
2. Four Seasons Resort Bali At Sayan
This is the second Four Seasons hotel on the island of Bali and has a much more spiritual vibe than the beach fronted Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay. Four Seasons Resort Bali At Sayan, hidden in the mists of the jungle, is terribly romantic. It is the more romantic of the two Four Seasons hotels on Bali as fewer families are attracted to this resort due to its lack of a beach.
Voted #1 hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2018, Four Seasons Resort Sayan encapsulates Bali at its philosophical and soulful best. The hotel is only a ten-minute drive from the stylish boutiques, artist ateliers, and atmospheric eateries of boho-chic Ubud, which makes Four Seasons Sayan is an inspiring base from which to explore Bali’s cultural heart or to retreat into nature’s meditative embrace.
The Four Seasons Sayan is a tranquil retreat tucked away amongst the lush jungle greenery on the banks of the Ayung River that flows through a river valley in the heart of Ubud. Guests arrive via a dramatic bridge at tree-level, beneath which the Ayung River valley spreads its tropical arms.
From the gravity-defying rooftop lotus pond that seems to float, suspended above the canopy, the hotel cascades down the hill to the two-tiered swimming pool and through an enchanting forest that cocoons just 60 suites and villas with stunning rice paddy and jungle views.
Rooms are built from local timber and thatched Alang-Alang roofs and vary from suites for two tucked in the jungle to the two-bedroom river view villas or the Royal Villa, with incredible views of the tumbling Ayung River and lush green surrounds.
The traditional and tranquil spa is perfect for a relaxing massage after a day exploring Ubud. Particularly special are the signature treatments designed to balance the body’s chakras.
Wherever you are in the world, Four Seasons hotels are consistently one of the best hotels or resort in the area. They don’t have a Four Seasons loyalty program, so you will never be able to book a free stay by racking up and redeeming points or by collecting points on your credit card and spending them at a Four Seasons hotel. It can’t be done. But you can get discounts at Four Seasons hotels and benefit from special rewards at Four Seasons hotels for no extra cost by booking your next stay via our luxury travel concierge.
3. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bali
Fronting the Ayung River near the Ubud jungle, Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bali, features 35 suites and 25 private pool villas, which replicate a traditional Balinese village complete with working rice paddies.
Using this Ritz-Carlton as your base, you can discover hidden temples, incredible views from the top of an active volcano, or you can adventure on a mighty Ayung River raft through inspiring and memorable scenery.
For thousands of years, the mandapas, Sanskrit for temples, of Ubud have offered a sacred space for devotees to rest their mind, body, and soul. Visitors today will find a similar escape at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, a secluded paradise where lush, rolling hills, the Ayung River, and verdant rice paddies create a unique sense of place.
A traditional Balinese gong marks your arrival at this five-star hotel, followed by a refreshing local drink full of goodness and infused with indigenous herbs. Your personal butler, who will remain at your service throughout your stay, will escort you to your villa or suite, one of only 60 available at this intimate property.
Luxury accommodations feature a private outdoor space with views of the river or surrounding scenery, including the lime green rice paddies surrounding Mandapa. Four restaurants serve health-conscious cuisine sourced from the organic garden; arrange a romantic dinner overlooking the river or rice terrace. The spa offers a variety of programs focused on physical and spiritual well-being.
4. Amandari
Amandari (which means “peaceful spirits”) is located five minutes from the art community of Ubud, in Central Bali.
The village of Kedewatan lies adjacent to the resort. Designed as a Balinese village, Amandari has river-stone walkways and high paras-stone walls. The open-air lobby was designed after a village meeting place.
The pathway that runs through Amandari and down the valley to the river below is sacred land. Every six months for hundreds of years, Balinese have taken the path down to a pool of holy water. Just above this spring-fed pool sit three modest shrines and an ancient tiger carved into the rock.
Balinese-style stone gateways front Amandari’s 30 walled, thatched-roof suites, each with a private garden courtyard and some with private pools. There is one premium villa as well. Wireless broadband connections are now available in all resort accommodations and public areas.
The Restaurant is open to the breezes and is crafted largely of teak wood. It overlooks Amandari’s swimming pool and the gorge. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and specializes in Western and local Indonesian dishes. The Bar, with its terrace seating, features a wide selection of drinks.
Facilities include the Library, with a broad selection of books, newspapers, CDs, and games, a fitness center fitted with a fully equipped cardiovascular gym, a signature 32m green-tiled swimming pool lying close to the lip of the gorge. There’s also a gallery and Amandari’s Spa, surrounded by water and featuring two open-air massage bales, a beauty room, a sauna, and a steam room.
At Amandari, your perfect day might begin with an invigorating trek through the Ayung Valley, past sacred shrines. Later, venture to nearby Ubud to explore myriad shops, art galleries, museums, and the Pasar Seni market.
The peaceful Amandari resort caters to all levels of activity and is a serene home base to return to; each of the 30 freestanding suites is a charming oasis of handwoven batiks, sliding-glass doors opening on three sides, and an outdoor, sunken marble bathtub. The duplex rooms boast romantic four-poster beds. From here, take in the resplendent, far-reaching views of the rice terraces and lush countryside.
5. Capella Ubud
Nestled in the heart of lush green forests, Capella Ubud tented camp sits in harmony with the surrounding nature. Inspired by the early European settlers from the 1800s, architect Bill Bensley designed Capella Ubud, Bali, as a tribute to their spirit of adventure.
Capella Ubud, Bali, is set within a dramatic terraced landscape, with prominent rice paddies surrounding the entrance, leading through a densely forested valley all the way down to the sacred Wos River.
This refined camp is more than a hotel. Constructed within the trees and hidden from afar, it captures the imagination of those who seek a unique experience at the heart of Bali’s untouched natural surroundings. Within the camp are twenty-two one-bedroom tents as well as one two-bedroom lodge, all with private saltwater pools.
No tree was cut during construction, so this refined jungle camp remains a hidden sanctuary from afar. It captures the imagination of those who aspire to a truly unique experience. The camp is adorned with handpicked valuable antique art objects, books, paintings, drawings, and furniture, some of which are from the owner’s treasured private collection.
Food & Beverage selections include Mads Lange, the camp’s dining room, Api Jiwa, an intimate and highly interactive Asian barbecue, and The Mortar and Pestle pool bar. The Camp Fire is not merely the place to meet the local storyteller over pulled hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows but, weather permitting, an equally great venue for casual dining.
The tented gymnasium is for guests who wish to work out in style and yoga and Pilates by design, whilst an invigorating weekly schedule, with a diverse range of low and high-impact camp activities, further compliment your exercise regime.
Adventure wellness, pampering spa treatments designed around the moon phases, spiritual and sound healing, as well as in-retreat rituals are on offer at Auriga Wellness.
The Officers Tent, exclusive to guests of Capella Ubud, Bali, is the camp’s living room where morning coffee, afternoon tea, and the daily evening cocktail and canapé ritual are served. The unobtrusive and highly personalized services of a dedicated Capella Culturist further complement your stay.
6. Viceroy Bali
The multi-award-winning 5 Star Viceroy Bali is one of the best luxury hotels in Ubud Bali. It is just 5 minutes drive to the thriving culture and arts center of Ubud, yet the location feels like another world. This is a brilliant place to relax and renew in utter tranquillity.
Wandering into the hotel’s open lobby with its marble floor and high-vaulted bamboo and grass-thatched roof immediately washes away any stresses. A water feature trickles nearby, and down a grand staircase, the resort opens up into a compact, cool sanctuary clinging to the side of the strikingly verdant Valley of the Kings.
With only 25 pool villas, Viceroy Bali offers absolute privacy for those seeking elegant travel. A soft, artfully manicured garden rolls gently off to the side of the main infinity-edged pool overlooking the jungle valley opposite.
Nearby, a path leads down to CasCades restaurant, the beating heart of the resort with its 10-meter cone-shaped grass thatched roof. Here Belgian executive chef Nic inspires Balinese and Western creations imbued with a classic European sensibility. The perfect setting for a romantic or special occasion, the restaurant offers world-class dining using only the freshest and highest quality international and local produce.
Each of the spacious 25 villas is exquisitely furnished and exceedingly private. Moreover, each villa has its own heated pool and outdoor cabana as well as unrivaled views of the surrounding valley and dense jungle. Adding to the serenity, the constant calm, cool sound of the rolling river rises from the valley ravine as guests sit on their private terraces and relax.
7. COMO Shambhala Estate
COMO Shambhala Estate is a true ‘Retreat for Change’ with resident experts including a yoga teacher, a Pilates teacher, an Ayurveda consultant, and Oriental medicine expert.
Picture serenity, and you’ll likely imagine COMO Shambhala Estate. Set deep within the lush Balinese forest overlooking the Ayung River, this “retreat for change” offers a life perspective as tranquil as the waters below.
Five multi-suite residences are themed after nature’s elements, with various private villas for a sense of oneness with the pristine setting. Each features butler service and an infinity swimming pool. Enjoy healthful and energizing COMO Shambhala cuisine and the aid of professional nutritionists; de-stress in the springs and the holistic spa; and renew with renowned healers, yoga masters, and life coaches.
Please note: families and children under 16 years old are welcome only in Villas or Residences, which have been booked in their entirety only. COMO Shambhala Estate requires a minimum three nights stay.
8. Alila Ubud
Alila Ubud is a tranquil and secluded hillside retreat that sits high up on the edge of the rich green Ayung River valley in Bali’s central foothills, 15 minutes from Ubud, the island’s cultural heart.
The hotel has been laid out as a Balinese hillside village complete with its own community center and pedestrian lanes. The resort’s rooms and villas stand above a ravine on stilts like treehouses and are set into the banks of the river valley.
Here, smooth plaster walls and concrete meet thatched roofs; terrazzo tiles meet gravel or crushed rock; wood meets glass, making for one of the most uniquely designed boutique hotels Ubud has seen. The property features a world-class restaurant and a holistic and intuitive spa facility.
9. The Chedi Club at Tanah Gajah
Hidden among the lush undulating hills of Bali’s culture-rich highlands, The Chedi Club at Tanah Gajah sits among thriving rice fields as far as the eye can see. Just outside the artists’ village of Ubud, the former estate of Hendra Hadiprana, one of Indonesia’s most respected art collectors, has been transformed into an intimate retreat with twenty individual villas, set amongst more than 12 acres of emerald green rice paddies.
An arrangement of flower-adorned Ganesha sculptures lends a spiritual ambiance at the entrance, while the property itself features serene lotus ponds, reflecting pools, and private villas.
The interiors blend harmoniously into the landscapes, and each villa has its own butler to help with everything from unpacking to poolside pampering. Those seeking serenity and rejuvenation will find both in abundance at The Spa, nestled at one edge of the seemingly endless paddy fields.
10. Blue Karma Resort
Blue Karma Resort Ubud is located just 3.2km from the popular resort of Ubud on Bali. It is set amidst rice fields, palm trees, and jungle in the Balinese countryside.
The hotel is surrounded by luscious tropical gardens and colorful fruit trees. It is made up of traditional Javanese huts, each decorated personally with the artistic touch of owner Alexa Genoyer. The design mixes local materials such as lava stone with sweeping greenery and rice paddies, providing the perfect backdrop to this calm and blissful getaway.
Within walking distance of the hotel are lovely walks, yoga centers, and local organic restaurants. The hotel also offers complimentary shuttle services multiple times a day to and from Ubud.
This small boutique resort is full of personality, and villas are tucked away in the rice fields at the edge of the jungle. All villas are situated around a big infinity pool, surrounded by palm trees and rice fields. Interiors are homey and modern, with fun features like bean bags and canopy beds. The bathrooms are large, as are the beds, which is a bonus for larger travelers.
The refreshing 25m outdoor pool in the center of the hotel grounds is the perfect place to cool down. Activities include Yoga classes, traditional Balinese massage, carried out in the comfort of your own room, and of course, you can soak up the peaceful atmosphere in one of the garden’s many resting areas.
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