Senses awaken at Anantara Ubud. The newly opened Bali resort, high in the hills of Ubud’s ancient Payangan region, is at Bali’s spiritual and geographic heart – just a 20-minute drive from Ubud’s bustling centre and less than three hours from the airport.
The sprawling new outfit from the luxury hotel brand opened in October 2024 after years-long delays, but it’s been worth the wait. The result: a mountaintop jungle retreat that eschews common Bali clichés in favour of quiet luxury. Here, everything is calm, quiet and oh-so languid. As you ascend the mountain and snake down the lush frond-fringed driveway, arriving to the gentle drumming of the lobby’s kinetic gong sculpture, it’s clear this is a sanctuary – confirmed the next morning as you witness the sun rise from your plush king bed.
The rooms
All 85 rooms overlook the rainforest canopy where Mount Agung – the island’s highest peak – and active volcano Mount Batur rear their heads over the valley’s ridge. Birdsong, hypnotic insect rhythms and misty plumes only add to the magnetism of this place. Inside, neutral tones, woven tactile furnishings and rich local timber, including Balinese carved wood murals, assert Anantara’s commitment to provenance.
Expansive one- and two-room villas cascade down the vale like terraced rice paddies, accessed by a steep but scenic inclinator (acrophobes, beware), each with a cyan infinity pool that stretches end to end. Over in the main building, suites start at 53 square metres and offer equally sublime views from comfortable balconies; however, you’ll have to venture to one of the hotel’s two heated infinity pools for a dip.
Food and drink
Dining-wise, there are two on-site restaurants – the casual all-day Kirana and the more finessed Med-leaning fine-diner Amerta – along with two poolside bars primed for golden hour cocktails and snacks. Anantara Ubud is also loosely associated with nearby farm-to-table restaurant and conservation initiative Begawan Biji, where organic pan-Asian plates are backdropped by abundant gardens and rice fields.
The service and cultural experiences
A trip to the on-site spa is the sensible decision, while the fitness centre is decked out with TechnoGym equipment. The resort also offers outstanding cultural expeditions and activities, such as water purification rituals at one of Bali’s oldest water temples; sound healing sessions; and hikes through the sacred forests and traditional villages. As for the service? Expect warm and attentive hospitality, with which all your holiday wishes are met.
Ideal for: Bali bliss without the crowds
Why we love it:
- Tranquil setting surrounded by lush jungle for a nature reboot
- Exceptional cultural immersion experiences led by courteous and knowledgeable guides
- Melt away any stress with signature Anantara treatments at the day spa, followed by a steam or sauna
Related stories
Native ad body.
