Destination: Ubud & Central Bali | The Best Hotels and Resorts

Still, one of the most magical destinations on earth

Ubud, a town in central Bali of around 75,000 people (2020), is far removed from the nightlife bikini scene in Seminyak and Canggu, and is regarded as the cultural centre of Bali. It is famous as an arts and crafts hub, and much of the town and nearby villages seems to consist of artists’ workshops and galleries. There are some remarkable architectural and other sights to be found, and a general feeling of well being to be enjoyed, all thanks to the spirit, surroundings, and climate of the place.

CAPELLA UBUD
Ubud Region

Size: 23 Tented Suites
Style: Jungle Eclectic
Year Opened: 2018
Designer/Architect: Bill Bensley

A fun and unique experience. Prepare for a Balinese Jungle emersion with this wonderful property.

Capella Ubud, Bali goes beyond glamping for a total jungle immersion. No tree was cut to construct this ultraluxe camp, where suspension bridges connect 22 one-bedroom tents (along with a two-bedroom lodge) that lie hidden amid the thick foliage – ensuring complete privacy for a dip in your own saltwater pool. Participate in Balinese cleansing rituals and water blessings at the on-site temple, set alongside the sacred Wos River. Guests also can join locals tending nearby farms or the camp’s coffee and cocoa gardens; hikes up Mount Batur and jungle boot camps keep the high-energy set happy.

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COMO SHAMBHALA ESTATE
north of Ubud

Size: 30 rooms, suites and villas
Style: Mindful Space
Year Opened: 1998
Designer/Architect: Cheong Yew Kuan

A beautiful property removed from any hustle and bustle found in central Ubud.

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 multisuite residences are themed after nature’s elements, with a variety of 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.

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SOORI BALI
Central West Coast of Bali

Size: 48 rooms
Style: Elegant
Year Opened: 2018
Designer/Architect: Soo K. Chan

A beautiful property located on the black sand beaches of Bali’s western shores.

Experience Bali as it should be at Soori Bali. Architect Soo K. Chan originally conceived the retreat as a private vacation home, but its enchanting setting – between jungle-clad Mount Batukaru and terraced rice fields, with a half-mile stretch of volcanic black-sand beach – compelled him to expand his vision into the first Soori lifestyle resort. The 48 villas, from one-bedroom Pool Villas to a ten-bedroom Soori Estate, feature local materials, private pools, and sweeping views. Ombak restaurant uses fresh ingredients from farms and the resort’s garden in its eclectic European cuisine, while Cotta features pan-Asian offerings.

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BUAHAN, A BANYAN TREE ESCAPE
Mountainside north of Ubud

Size: 16 Freestanding Suites
Style: Contemporary Balinese
Year Opened: 2022
Designer/Architect: Dharmali Kusumadi

Open air living. Only you and cool breezes in the mountains north of Ubud.

Situated in a quiet enclave surrounded by rice paddies and jungle, the site’s unique topography is next to the Ayung River and waterfall, including a sweeping view of the seven majestic peaks. The resort has 16 balés, designed to blend spacious indoor-outdoor living areas with 180-degree panoramic views and sounds of nature through a bold taste of ‘The Naked Experience’ where only a thin veil separates guest from nature.

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AMANDARI
Central Ubud

Size: 31 rooms
Style: Elegant Balinese
Year Opened: 1989
Designer/Architect: Peter Muller

One of the early classic Bali resorts. Always a good stay.

Designed after a traditional Balinese village, with sweeping views of the Ayung Valley’s jungled slopes, Amandari has integrated so sensitively into its hillside setting that it feels as though it has always been there. Free-standing guest suites with alang-alang roofs and interiors of coconut, teak and bamboo offer tranquil terraces and outdoor bathtubs. Presided over by a sacred stone tiger, the grounds are not just for guests: children attend dance classes here, and villagers regularly visit the property’s riverside shrine. Beyond the paras-stone walls, iconic rice terraces, artisan villages and Bali’s cultural heart, Ubud, lie waiting.

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REMOTE LANDS:
RICE PADDIES AND CULTURE IN BALI
Duration: 5 Days
Interests: Heritage
Destinations: Indonesia

Surrounded by rice fields, villages, temples, palaces, rivers and art and craft communities, Ubud is a cultural center where life moves at a leisurely pace, particularly in comparison to Bali’s more cosmopolitan cities, Denpasar and Seminyak. Ubud is Bali’s center for fine arts, dance and music with convenient access to neighboring villages, well-known for their stone and wood carvings as well as bamboo and wooden furniture. In the town proper, you will find plentiful boutiques, restaurants and massage spas all of which make Ubud one of Bali’s most relaxing and artsy destinations.

This itinerary is an example. All trips are 100% bespoke.

My Virtuoso Ubud & Central Bali Information Page
Here is a good place to start for some additional information on quality Hotels, Water Adventures and Activities.