The Samaya Bali Ubud

At the Samaya Ubud, the lush, surrounding landscape takes center stage and there is an unbreakable calm to the hillside location overlooking rows of rice patties, lush green forest, and the rushing Ayung River. The resort's 19 villas are spread among grounds so expansive and hilly that most people take buggies to get around. The lobby is full of natural light and is understatedly decorated. The room is spacious and uncluttered with boxy gray sofas and chairs along floor-to-ceiling windows and sleek hardwood floors. The hotel's Swept Away restaurant occupies a long, large patio and wood deck next to the rushing Ayung River, while Scene has a more verdant overlook. Both are located in open-air structures and feature a simple, spare style, though no decor is necessary with such beautiful surrounding views.

The Samaya Ubud is located about 15 minutes from the town of Ubud, on the forested hillsides outside of town. There is a real sense of remoteness to the hotel, though its shuttle service (available 24/7, requiring an hour's notice) to and from town saves inconvenience. Known for its traditional art and dancing, there's much worth exploring in Ubud, including the Agung Rai Museum of Art and the Blanco Renaissance Museum. The property is a little over an hour's drive from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. 

Like the common areas, the Samaya Ubud's villas are all understated in their decor and color scheme. While not overly large, the villas offer comfortable beds, sitting areas, work desks, and beautiful outdoor spaces with private gardens and pools. Comfortable outdoor seating resides in wooden cabanas overlooking the pools, which also have wooden sundecks with lounge chairs. All villas have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, minibars, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Bathrooms are large and modern with double sinks, whirlpool tubs under skylights, and walk-in rainfall showers. Multi-room villas are multiples of single-room villas, meaning a two-bedroom villas consists of two identical villas with shared garden space. Wi-Fi, morning picnic baskets, afternoon tea, and 24-hour butler service are included in the room rate. Some packages also include breakfast. 

The Samaya Ubud has two restaurants -- Swept Away and Scene -- that offer a mix of Indonesian and international cuisine along with beautiful landscape views. There are several romantic, private dining options offered (for an extra charge), such as the "100 Candle" dinner that involves a six-course meal along the shores of the river. Breakfast is included in some rates, and there is free afternoon tea served daily in the Swept Away restaurant or in-room. There is a spa on-site that provides beauty and body treatments (they can also be booked in-room) and a small fitness center with weight machines, free weights, a treadmill, and a stationary bike. The hotel's common pool is small and somewhat blandly designed, tucked into a corner of the garden, but it's infrequently used, as every villa has its own private pool. The hotel provides free shuttle service to Ubud (about 15 minutes away) with an hour's notice. There are a variety of activities offered on-site, including cooking classes, nature walks, and more (but they must be pre-booked for an additional fee).