We spent 4 nights in gorgeous Ubud last summer and I had no idea what to expect, never having visited Bali before.
We arrived late afternoon at our first hotel, the super luxury health resort Como Shambala Estate. It’s setting and layout is exceptionally beautiful: acres and acres of well kept grounds along a ridge with steep-sided valleys dropping away – the accommodation is spread out over four ‘residences’ all positioned discretely at the edges of the property, all with stunning views of the valley and the paddy fields or jungle beyond. We stayed at the Fire residence, Tejasuara, which was four suites laid around a fantastic open sided sitting room and swimming pool. We had our own very helpful butler, who helped us with all our questions and needs – nothing was too much trouble. Every night they lit the fire pit by the residence swimming pool. Our suite had its own garden with covered daybed and the jungle views from the balcony were spectacular. It was the perfect place to rest up after a long flight.
As well as our own Fire residence pool there was a stunning main pool for everyone to use but the river below was our favourite spot. A series of platforms and sun loungers were arranged around the river banks to provide a really unique setting for swimming and relaxing.
Breakfast was a real experience – our table looking out over the stunning valley, the menu offered a vast array of healthy and imaginative dishes and detoxifying juices which were all delicious. We had dinner in the Balinese style restaurant, which was my first taste of the spicy gado gado noodles. There was a very healthy raw bar for dinner which was popular with many of the guests. The spa treatments were amazing and available in different settings, even down by the river. Yoga was available in the most beautiful setting and was hugely popular with the guests.
Many activities are laid on by the hotel: their resort walk was a guided walk through the lush hotel grounds to parts of the resort we might not otherwise have discovered. There was a complimentary car into Ubud, which was about 20 minutes away, an interesting drive through the outlying villages and paddy fields.
It was probably the most beautiful and relaxing of any hotel I have stayed at. The space and layout really provided complete privacy and peace and we left there feeling truly rested.
It was a perfect base to visit the stunning Mount Batur region. The volcano within the crater is truly unique sight and not to be missed. The downhill descent by bike took us through fields and villages, past temples, almost all the way back to Ubud – the perfect way to get a feel for village life with local gossip thrown in.
Our next hotel was the sister property, Uma Ubud – which was on the edge of Ubud town itself. Again a really pretty setting although in a smaller space. The bar area was stunning overlooking the pool and we had a great local speciality BBQ meal there on our last night. Breakfast was in the loveliest open air room surrounded by a pool full of big gold fish- breakfast is a great meal in Bali. It also had a wonderful spa. The hotel took us on a fabulous guided walk through the lush countryside, exploring the fields and the farms surrounding the town. The walks in the area around Ubud are numerous and we were sorry we did not have time to do more of them. From our hotel it was it was easy to explore Ubud on foot- a bustling little town. We had great fun shopping it the market- bargaining essential, and in the hundreds of little boutiques lining its streets. The town is full of little bars, restaurants and cafes- all really relaxed and it is easy to while the day away in them. We managed some sightseeing in the monkey forest which was on the edge of town, which was busy but worth the visit. Massages and other treatments were readily available in town to pop into in between shopping and cafe life.
Ubud was a truly chilled out place and we left it much more relaxed than we could have believed.
by TMS