The Mansion Bali

Brimming with artistic charm, the Mansion Resort Hotel & Spa is a competitively priced upscale property that offers numerous art galleries, exhibitions, and an art shop. The property feels like a museum that’s eclectically decorated with artifacts, paintings, porcelain, photography, contemporary sculptures, and traditional Balinese artwork. A circular driveway is adorned in colorful flags and umbrellas that lead to the pagoda-style entrance. A double staircase and a hanging chandelier in the lobby create a grand first impression. The expansive art collection in common areas, however, can feel cluttered. 

There are numerous beautiful pools on-site. The Sunset Pool is set by a lily pond, with tiki cabana beds and palm trees. The Sunrise Pool has colorful patio furniture on the deck, a cabana, and forest views. The circular Beach Club Pool has a palm-shaded deck with rattan lounge chairs and bamboo cabanas. The Sun Kissed Pool is surrounded by a green lawn, thatched-roof huts, stylish rattan lounge chairs, and a snack bar. Guests are typically tourists of various ages who don't mind being outside the action in Ubud. 

Situated in Ubud’s historic artist colony of Penestanan, the resort has a relaxed and creative atmosphere. The location is on the Sayan Ridge and is removed from restaurants and shops. However, Cafe Vespa, which attracts tourists, is a five-minute walk away. It’s about 15 minutes via the hotel’s free shuttle to downtown Ubud, where there’s the Ubud Palace, Blanco Renaissance Museum, and Museum Puri Lukisan. The Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah), built in the ninth century, is a 20-minute drive. The Sacred Monkey Forest is 15 minutes by car. Driving to the Campuhan Ridge Walk takes 15 minutes. The Ngurah Rai International Airport is about an hour and 15 minutes by car.

Rooms and suites have a creative vibe -- some are decorated with colorful Balinese artwork, wooden carvings, and canopy beds with mosquito nets. Traditional thatched-roof villas have wooden floors and open-air living rooms; some have pools with tropical landscaping. Most rooms have free Wi-Fi, DVD/CD players, flat-screen TVs or tube TVs, air-conditioning, bathrobes and slippers, minibars, coffee/tea facilities, turndown service, and safes. Suites and villas vary, with sitting areas, living rooms, and/or dining spaces; some are decorated in a more understated way with earthy colors, including woven rugs, beige tile floors, and wooden roofs, with splashes of bright yellow. Some Villas also have poolside cabanas. Bathroom features range from open-air wooden or stone tubs to walk-in showers done in beige tile. 

The Indochine restaurant serves French/Vietnamese cuisine in ornately decorated dining rooms, all with jewel tones, eclectic Balinese artwork, and wood furniture. The thatched-roof Cafe La Terrace serves ice cream and international fare by the Sun Kissed Pool. Cocktails are available in the Jasmine Tea Lounge and Wantilan Bar. The resort has many indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, suited for everything from art shows to conventions for hundreds of guests. The White Chapel gazebo in the water gardens is available for weddings. The country club -- in addition to a spa and small gym -- offers fishing, ping pong, volleyball, badminton, a movie/music room, and a piano lounge. Children’s activities, swimming classes, bicycling trips, and arts and crafts are also offered in the country club. Breakfast is free.