We review Anantara Ubud Bali Resort: escape the madding crowds and head for the hills
Blissful respite awaits.
Bali is a perennially hot destination, but lately, it seems to be a victim of its own success with millions of tourists, Instagram-worthy café, and snarls of traffic. Still, if you do your research, you’ll come across a hidden gem that combines the best of modern Bali with hints of the compelling culture and nature that first attracted visitors. We checked into the recently opened Anantara Ubud Bali Resort to seek respite.
While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Review of Anantara Ubud Bali Resort
Central Ubud may be extremely busy – and touristy – but nestled in the untouched tropical jungles about an hour’s drive north, the new Anantara Ubud Bali Resort is a tranquil oasis where guests can enjoy every creature comfort while exploring parts of Bali’s local culture, history, and nature away from the crowds. (There’s a complimentary shuttle bus if you do fancy exploring the shops, bars, and restaurants of Ubud).
The first hints of the resort’s nod to local heritage appear as I arrive from the airport, driving through country lanes that wind through lush green rice paddies and traditional houses featuring local architectural entryways made from stone. The second moment of cultural immersion comes in the resort’s lobby. Guests are welcomed by the soothing gong-like music of a towering “gameltron” – an automated installation modelled on a Balinese gamelan instrument – and whiffs of frangipani from the surrounding vegetation.
Ensconced on a daybed, with dense forests as far as the eye can see, I’m welcomed to the resort with a local drink and ritual before efficient staff check me in and whisk me off to my villa. Minutes into the stay, I can feel the tension leach from my body as it slips under the spell of the total tranquillity of silence and unbroken natural landscapes.
Villa escape
Anantara Ubud Bali boasts 85 well-appointed suites and pool villas, each rendered with light, modern interpretations of Hindu traditions and Javanese style. My One-Bedroom Forest View Pool Villa is a welcoming, restful oasis dressed in soothing tones whites, creams, and rich textures of wood, stone, and marble.
The spacious lounge area is designed for relaxation and socialising with plenty of cosy seating and a sturdy four-seater dining table. Through sliding doors, the well-appointed bedroom is designed for a great night’s sleep – the oversized king-sized bed is incredibly comfortable – or, as the handy table in the corner will attest, a long afternoon’s work. One of the villa’s walls is completely glass, so while here, I enjoy plenty of natural light, mesmerising views of the lush green forest outside, and quick dips in the private infinity pool on the villa’s terrace.
Even the spacious bathroom is a treat. A standalone bath sits between a stone feature wall and a long double vanity featuring locally-made copper sinks – a good soak with a cup of tea is the perfect way to end each day.
Dining
You certainly won’t go hungry while at Anantara Ubud Bali.
I begin each morning on the terrace of Kirana, enjoying a hearty breakfast while basking in panoramas of mist-covered forests – it’s a thoroughly meditative experience. Breakfast begins with Indonesian treats and coffee while mains – the eggs benedict are on point – are made to order. At dinner, there’s a range of international and authentic Indonesian dishes on offer – the Babi Kirana (crispy suckling pig) and Rendang Daging (braised beef curry) are must-tries.
For something a little more lavish, Amerta offers a relaxed approach to fine-dining with contemporary dishes that fuse Indonesian and European flavours. The dinner degustation menu includes a flavourfully piquant citrus-cured red snapper with avocado, yuzu dressing, and green chilli; a decadent seared foie gras escalope with pineapple jam, cape gooseberries, and passionfruit; and a grilled Tokusen Wagyu sirloin that’s grilled to medium-rare perfection and served with star anise beef jus.
The al-fresco Sulang Bar, which sits by the resort’s adults-only pool, is a great spot to while away the afternoon while enjoying casual poolside lunches (the fried chicken burger is the perfect treat during an afternoon of work) and cocktails on sunloungers, and is the best place to watch the sun go down with a well-made cocktail in hand.
Wellness
Wellbeing is never an afterthought with Anantara and in Bali, there are plenty of ways to work on your wellness. Every morning, I squeeze in a gym session in the pristine gym; each afternoon, I take a dip in the main pool and read under red umbrellas while taking in more calming jungle views.
Of course, there’s an Anantara Spa offering locally-inspired treatments in ambient surroundings. I slip in one evening for a Taksu Massage, the spa’s signature Balinese ritual, which combines Shiatsu, Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi, and Balinese techniques, and leave without an ounce of stress – ideal for a great sleep that night.
Guests can also enjoy signature experiences that help them connect with Balinese life and culture. One afternoon, I went Subak trekking to explore the lush rice paddies next to the resort and got a glimpse of traditional local farming practices. The next morning, I made the drive to Mengening Temple – a structure that dates back to 1022AD – for a traditional water purification ritual in its sacred springs. Many tourists in Bali take part in this local tradition, but Anantara Ubud Bali has chosen this particular Temple to avoid crowds and enjoy a more local experience – when I arrived, I was the only foreigner and we had the place to ourselves for about 15 minutes.
Final thoughts
Visitors to Bali are spoilt for choice when it comes to hotels, but for returning travellers yearning for the charming, unspoilt Bali of decades ago – and some peace far from the raucous partying of Kuta et al. – Anantara Ubud Bali Resort offers blissful respite.
Discover more about Anantara Ubud Bali Resort or Book through Booking.com
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