The Samara

The first point of distinction about The Samara is that it's cut off from the nearest road and visitors are obliged to walk the last quarter mile to reception -- though luggage is taken care of and a motorbike is available for those who require (or request) it. After the short stroll down a palm tree lined path, guests arrive at a quaint, and small, collection of buildings that is home to just six rooms, a private villa, pool, and restaurant. Opened in 2011, the resort is smart and modern with a rustic-chic flavor and is set in tidy tropical gardens bursting with colorful flowers and exotic plants and surrounded on all sides by pretty rice fields. The hotel is family-owned and run, giving everything a nice personal touch while the particularly secluded, peaceful spot ensures little noise beyond chirping birds and the occasional quacking duck. 

The hotel is located on the scenic Jalan Kajeng foot path that cuts through the picturesque paddy fields just north of Ubud in an area called Juwuk Manis or Sweet Orange. Most of Ubud town's tourist attractions and restaurants are within walking distance, including Ubud Palace and its huge craft market -- both around 15 minutes away on foot -- while Monkey Forest is just over a mile away. Bali's capital, Denpasar, is about 45 minutes away by car while its Ngurah Rai International Airport is 25 miles away, or around an hour's drive.

The hotel's six rooms and one villa are all decorated in smart contemporary styling with plenty of Balinese touches, natural rustic and modern wood furnishings, and the creative use of stone and slate. Amenities include minibars with free bottled water, robes and slippers, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, though the free Wi-Fi doesn't extends to all rooms. Fresh fruit baskets are replenished daily and bathrooms include roofless shower sections with rain-shower heads. While some rooms are on the small side, the private villa is spacious and pretty deluxe -- sleeping up to six -- with kitchen, front and back yards, bathrooms with jetted tub, private pool, and second floor balcony with superb rice field views. More villas are planned at time of writing. 

The hotel's small and simple Dolce Arancia restaurant serves an excellent choice of breakfasts each morning (included in the rate) as well as a menu of Italian favorites with produce from local farms for lunch and dinner. Although fairly small, the pool does allow for a few strokes and is lined with loungers overlooking the lovely green scenery. Mountain bikes are provided to explore the area and scooters are also available to hire, though lack of spa facilities is a downside. Wi-Fi is available for free, but the connection can be spotty depending on location in the property.