Anulekha Resort and Villa

Built in 2014, the Anulekha Resort and Villa is owned and run by a Balinese family who have created a tranquil escape just outside of hectic Ubud. The decor in the hotel is focused on natural materials, helping to create the back-to-nature vibe here. In the lobby there are wicker chairs, driftwood tables, and leaf motifs in the artwork, while the side walls are open to the tropical grounds. There is a stream filled with lily pads running alongside the edge of the floor, and the room is filled with traditional Balinese statues. The use of natural materials continues throughout the rest of the property, with teak wood decking around each of the swimming pools, stone pathways, local textiles, and buildings constructed from unfinished timber and natural slate. Because of its undeniable romance, the hotel attracts lots of couples, including honeymooners, though families find the three-bedroom villas convenient as well. 

The Anulekha Resort and Villa is on the rural outskirts of Ubud, near the sleepy village of Lodtunduh. There are no restaurants or shops in the immediate area, and it makes for a quiet place to get away from it all. The center of Ubud is only around a 15-minute drive away, and the hotel runs a free shuttle there three times a day. In town, visitors will find shops, restaurants, cafes, and yoga centers, as well as attractions like the Ubud Market, Ubud Palace, and the Museum Puri Lukisan, which displays modern and traditional Balinese paintings and wood carvings. One of the area’s most famous attractions is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, which is a 20-minute drive from the property. Ngurah Rai International Airport is around an hour's drive away.

Accommodations here range from entry-level Deluxe Rooms to villas with separate bedrooms, but all offer a similar rustic-chic aesthetic that perfectly matches the setting in the Ubud countryside. The spacious and light rooms have a modern look with a distinctly Balinese feel, including wall art that depicts Hindu deities. Guests can expect to see copper-colored raw silk pillows and whitewashed timber furniture. Four-poster beds add an undeniable dash of romance to the spaces.

The Deluxe Rooms are set within a number of two-story buildings throughout the grounds. They are a little compact given the size of rooms at competing hotels, and have 20 square meters of space (215 square feet). Each room has a private balcony or terrace, a king size or twin beds, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and DVD player, minibar, an electric kettle for tea or coffee, and a safe. The marble bathrooms are spacious and luxurious with a separate walk-in shower and large bath tub. 

Nine private villas have the same stylish decor, with loads more space -- in fact, they feel like proper houses, and many have a bi-level layout. These range from one- to three-bedroom units and can accommodate up to six people. Amenities are the same as in Deluxe Rooms, but they also include a private pool with a wooden sundeck, large living room, and dining area with kitchenette overlooking the pool or the landscaped tropical gardens.

The hotel has its own restaurant on-site, the Silungan Restaurant. The restaurant is open air and is surrounded by palm trees overlooking the rice fields. It offers Indonesian, Balinese, and Western dishes and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While breakfast is excellent, and is offered in multiple a la carte choices, it's not included in room rates, which is surprising for a hotel in the Ubud area. Breakfast can also be served in the villas or guest rooms for no additional charge, and staff can also set up romantic candlelit dinners in the villas or around the pool. The restaurant serves a popular afternoon tea as well, which is free. 

The hotel’s outdoor pool is lagoon-style and there is also a hot tub. It’s a pretty area, surrounded by tropical gardens and plenty of seating. The hotel also offers cooking classes, bike and car rentals, and trekking or cycling tours -- there are fees associated with each. Free parking is available on-site as is free Wi-Fi. The hotel can provide airport transfers for a fee, and free shuttles into central Ubud are offered at limited times during the day. Additionally, those traveling with young children can be provided with cribs and pool fences free of charge on request.