The Lokha Ubud

Driving through the scenic, rural roads leading to The Lokha Ubud is an exercise in stepping away from it all. The hotel itself is located in an idyllic village and sits along a beautiful river gorge, while the hotel's interiors are contemporary and feature Balinese accents. For instance, the lobby has floors covered in tan marble and there are plenty of comfy couches laid out for relaxing. The lobby and Suites are located in the main building, and have panoramic views of the jungle gorge around the Wos River. The setting is romantic, so it's no surprise that The Lokha is popular with couples. Geography does a lot here, and the Bukit Cinta restaurant has an intimate open-air dining space to the river, which creates a constant lulling soundtrack. The pool, which adjoins the restaurant, has a huge wooden deck and is laid-back and tranquil, with a beautiful green backdrop of tropical foliage. Even the spa is romantic, with its semi open-air treatment rooms and large soaking tubs amid the jungle setting.

The Lokha Ubud is located in Keliki, a rural village that's about a 20-minute drive from downtown Ubud, Bali's cultural and artistic hub. There's a scenic walk from the hotel to central Ubud along the Campuhan Ridge nearby. Along the way there are views of the river and jungle foliage, and the walk takes up to 30 minutes. There are minimal dining options near the hotel, though the Karsa Cafe is a two-minute walk away. Jungle Fish -- a 20-minute walk or five-minute drive from the hotel -- is another nearby dining alternative that has a beautiful infinity pool, great jungle views, and excellent fine-dining cuisine. In town, there are all manner of museums, yoga studios, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a 25-minute drive from the hotel, just south of central Ubud. Kuta and the airport take about 90 minutes to reach by car.

Although rooms range from affordable Suites to lavish two-bedroom Presidential Villas, both are similarly styled, with an aesthetic that's modern and simple. Natural materials and traditional Balinese accents add a dash of character, and plenty of light streams through the glass doors that lead to the verandahs or balconies in every room. Walls are decorated with paintings of Balinese dancers and landscapes. Rich-grained teak is used in the doors, trim, and contemporary minimalist furniture, furthering the polished, rustic vibe. All rooms have views of the river gorge.

Standard features include mini-fridges, electric kettles, air-conditioning, iPod docks, safes, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Villas, of course, add more features, and there are two categories: a two-bedroom Presidential Villa and one-bedroom Luxury Pool Villas. Both villas feature private plunge pools surrounded by wooden decks with couches and lounge chairs, but the Presidential Villa's pool and deck is much larger. It's also has a nearly 3,200-square-foot floor plan (297 square meters) that includes a dining room and living room. 

Bathrooms in all categories are spotless and reasonably modern. The tan marble floors are offset by black Corian vanities and bathtub ledges. Suites have shower//tub combos, while the villas have separate showers and tubs. The Presidential Villa has an additional outdoor shower. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided.

The Lokha Ubud has a range of facilities and daily activities on offer, though the best feature of the hotel is the beautiful grounds and tranquil location. The pool, main restaurant, and wedding chapel overlook the river and have awesome jungle views. A huge wooden deck wraps around the organically shaped infinity pool, with plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas. Large river rocks and flowering frangipani trees are set around the pool, adding to the romantic effect. Meals are served in the Bukit Cinta Restaurant and Bar, with both Asian and Western fare, the dining areas include intimate open-air seating as well as an indoor dining space and an elegant marble-covered bar. Free daily afternoon tea and snacks are served in the 187 Bar & Lounge, which adjoins the hotel lobby. A breakfast buffet with hot and cold options is also included in rates. Additional facilities include a small fitness center, a kids' club, a yoga shala, and the Wos River Spa. Although the spa is a little overpriced compared to others in Ubud, it does offer great facilities including a hot tub and sauna. The semi open-air treatments rooms are tranquil, and surrounded by thick tropical greenery. The hotel offers free daily activities including guided village tours, towel folding classes, and Indonesian language lessons. Bicycles, Wi-Fi, and a shuttle service to downtown Ubud are also free. The shuttle runs five times per day.