Bhuwana Ubud Hotel

While it's not a wellness resort in the swish and swanky way many Bali travelers might expect, there's a strong emphasis on health and well-being at this traditionally styled, modern resort. The family that owns the property has a background in farming, and as such, there's a focus on providing healthy, hotel-grown produce for all of the hotel's meals. The property is a peaceful and health-conscious getaway, and therefore there is no smoking or alcohol permitted. A fitness center is due to be built, adding to the wellness aspect of their guests' stay, but for now everything from yoga to hikes are on offer. 

Overall, the resort is quiet and relaxed. Due to the large grounds, it feels as though guests have the place to themselves. Throughout the property are traditional Balinese wall carvings and natural wood. The lobby has a vast wooden vaulted ceiling with colorful, intricate carvings right at the top. There's also a wooden reception desk, sofas, armchairs, and coffee tables. Large wooden columns stand in the space too, and the room is very light and bright due to the open walls at one side, and the polished white floor tiles. The owner collects orchids and has a stunning display of them in the center of the lobby. The resort mainly attracts couples and honeymooners, many of which are European. Some families stay at the hotel too, and there are occasionally groups on-site for yoga retreats.

The Bhuwana Ubud Hotel is set on nearly two-and-a-half acres of luscious, green Balinese countryside in the Pengosekan region of Ubud. There are sweeping views over the tranquil rice fields, and few shops or restaurants in the immediate area, making it a quiet location for a rural retreat. That being said, options for entertainment in the immediate area are limited. The Agung Rai Museum of Art is a 10-minute walk north from the resort, and there are a few more shops and restaurants in that direction. The center of Ubud is a 15-minute drive north, and the hotel runs a free shuttle there every two hours. In Ubud, travelers 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. The famous Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a 15-minute drive or 25-minute walk from the hotel. Most travelers will arrive in Bali at Ngurah Rai International Airport, outside of Kuta, which is a 90-minute drive away.

There are 40 spacious and light guest rooms at the hotel. They have modern Balinese decor with wooden vaulted ceilings, plain white tiled floors, and plain white walls and bedding. Some rooms have traditional wood carvings decorating the walls, and the Double Rooms have grand four-poster beds with intricate Balinese carvings in the wood, painted in red and gold. Every room includes free Wi-Fi, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV with satellite channels, tea- and coffee-making facilities, a desk, and sofa. There is also air-conditioning, a fridge, and free mineral water. The furnished balconies or terraces are a fine place to sit and take in the peaceful garden and landscape views. Bathrooms are straightforward, with plain white tiling and separate showers and bathtubs. Vanities provide a good amount of space for storage and toiletries and towels are included. We did notice a bit of discolored grout and mineral staining when we visited, and some bathrooms could benefit from a deep scrub.

With its health-and-wellness bent, most of this hotels features are geared toward re-centering its guests. The hotel has an open-air restaurant where fresh ingredients grown in the gardens are used to create Indonesian, Balinese, and Western dishes. A free cooked-to-order breakfast is provided daily, as is a free afternoon tea with traditional Balinese cakes. The hotel also makes fresh breads and pastries. 

Other freebies include Balinese dance classes, rice field treks, yoga classes, bike rentals -- it's rare that so many activities are offered without charge in this area, and that helps make this hotel an excellent value. The hotel also has a large outdoor pool which is a quiet place to relax. It is surrounded by a wooden sun deck, plenty of loungers, and a bar serving non-alcoholic drinks. Spa treatments can be booked in the treatment rooms, and a free 15-minute massage is offered to all guests. For business guests, meeting rooms and a conference center are available. The hotel also offers a free scheduled shuttle into Ubud, free parking, and free Wi-Fi.