Junjungan Ubud Hotel and Spa

The Junjungan Ubud Hotel and Spa sits at the end of a small, well-maintained country road flanked by homes and rice fields. The rustic open-air reception area is furnished in natural wood and has rattan seating, Balinese patterned fabrics, and beautifully carved statuary. A newish Mac in the corner adds a touch of 21st-century modernity to the otherwise traditionally styled surrounds. Guests are warmly received with fruit juices and refreshing cold towels upon check-in. A stream running through the property creates a relaxing add-on to the main draw, pristine swathes of emerald-green rice fields that stretch out behind the hotel. As night falls, the scene gets an extra touch of magic in the form of small swarms of fireflies, which are accompanied by a nightly chorus of croaking frogs.

The hotel is located on a quiet paved road surrounded by lush paddy fields and local homes, a 10-minute drive from the center of Ubud, a quaint and popular city known for its art galleries, spas, and temples. While there aren't any tourist attractions within walking distance, the area around the hotel is particularly quiet and beautiful and is great for morning walks. Bali's main Ngurah Rai International Airport is just over an hour's drive away, while the city of Denpasar is about 45 minutes away by road.

The 10 rooms are decorated in fresh, simple styling, with traditional Balinese touches such as wicker furnishings, colorful fabrics, and ornate carved wood detailing. All extend to furnished balconies or spacious terraces with superb views over the fields, and upper-floor rooms have particularly nice vistas as well lovely high ceilings. In-room entertainment is surprisingly good, and all rooms come with PlayStation 3 consoles, and large flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Rooms also have individual water tanks for better pressure and top-quality air-conditioners. Bathrooms feature bamboo accents and deep molded tubs with European-style wall-mounted -- but removable -- handheld shower hoses. 

The Junjungan offers a free cooked-to-order breakfast that can be ordered the night before and taken in-room or at the hotel restaurant, which also serves better-than-average local and international food at lunch and dinner. Although light on facilities, the spa area is a nicely designed and serene spot that offers a good range of massage and beauty treatments. The pool is pleasant, set in a tidy garden with a few lounge chairs, though it's too small for proper swimming. The hotel also operates a free shuttle bus to and from Ubud center -- even providing guests with a mobile phone to arrange pick-ups -- and bike and scooter rentals can be arranged through the front desk. Super-fast Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.