It was Miriam Adeney who said, “You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart always will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.” As I sit here typing this with Tri Datu on my wrist and beautiful memories of my first visit to Bali, I am happy that I left a piece of my heart here. I spent ten days exploring various parts of the island, staying in a handful of the best luxury hotels in Bali. My aim was to get the first glimpse of several areas to inspire more in-depth experiences on my future visits to the idyllic island.
The stunning Samata Sanur on the quiet side of Bali. Image © Pat Bailey
Getting to Bali
Contents
I arrived easily by plane from Bangkok where I was finishing a trip in Thailand. The Ngurah Rai International Airport is easily accessible and central to heading in all directions on the island of Bali. You can easily taxi to Kuta, Seminyak and Ubud from here and I relied on taxis and personal drivers for my entire visit.
Bicycles, fast boats and mopeds are the main modes of transportation on Bali, I found it very easy to transfer from place to place and my only caution is to allow extra time for traffic and temple ceremonies which happen often an unexpected and cause delays and complete stand-stills.
You will receive a Visa on Arrival (VoA) when you arrive and you do not need an additional visa if you are visiting less than 30 days (check your own country’s requirements before leaving home).
Related: A First Timer’s Travel Guide to Bali
Related: Indonesia Photo Gallery
Fivelements is a quiet oasis just outside of Ubud Bali. Image © Pat Bailey
5 of the Best Luxury Hotels in Bali
Where to Stay in Ubud
Fivelements
The magic of my visit began with my arrival at Fivelements just south of Ubud, and it was the perfect welcome. This award-winning luxury resort is nestled on the banks of the Ayung River which provided the perfect backdrop for the theme of water which was prevalent throughout my entire visit to Bali, and an essential element of Bali and its culture.
Pat relaxes in her bath with a view to the Ayung River at Fivelements Bali. Image © Pat Bailey
The beauty of daily life at Fivelements Bali. Image © Pat Bailey
Not only one of the best luxury hotels in Bali, Fivelements is a retreat-style sanctuary too, focused on Balinese healing, living foods and sacred arts, it is intimate and intentional. My two-day stay here was pure medicine in every way, with the invitation to “live well,” I was given authentic opportunities to attune my mind, body and spirit to the natural surroundings and breathe deeply and find peace.
I was led to my suite by a grass and stone path that meandered through the property and past the Sakit Dining Room, an open-air room with a river view, the Mandala Meeting Room and Sacred Spaces where both private and group events are hosted, and it was a pleasant surprise to hear the faint sounds of chimes along the walk coming from the property-wide music system which carried me straight to my suite, and into it even, as I was welcomed with the sound of soothing traditional healing music.
Fivelements Ubud is a true boutique hotel with a focus on wellness. Image © Pat Bailey
Fivelements encourages guests to unwind and let go. Image © Pat Bailey
There are nine exclusive suites on this property, each designed with inspiration from a sacred spiral which gives the space an open-air feeling. The décor of each suite and the property throughout includes Balinese “Songket” textiles and antiques which give it an authentic and old-world, traditional feeling. I felt at home instantly here.
Each suite contains a king-size bed which is positioned in the centre of the room and facing the river. The room opens in two directions; from the foot of the bed it opens out onto a private terrace overlooking the sacred Ayung River with a seating area and covered riverstone healing bathtub where I enjoyed a Sakti bath which included lemongrass, Balinese orange, lime, pandan leaves, ginger and Sakti bath oil with the sound and view of the river from where I was soaking. The sliding doors on the opposite side of the room open up to an alfresco bathroom including chromotherapy lighting, and a stone path rain shower.
Every detail of my stay was intentional, every staff member welcomed me with a loving bow and a hello and I was carefully looked after from the moment I arrived until my departure. The Core Values and Guiding Philosophies of this property are aligned with Balinese culture and the aim is to create a space and invitations for guests to transform their lives and live with more love. It was easy to be here with my heart wide open and in receiving mode.
I experienced my very first Melukat at Fivelements, a traditional Balinese water blessing and purification ceremony. The private ceremony took place in the Sacred Space and included a meditation with the temple priest. He prepared the holy water in a clay vase with flowers and incense and chanted mantras in Sanskrit. This was deeply emotional for me as I chant in my daily meditation and Bhakti practice and I felt very much like this was a homecoming. The “holy shower” was a beautiful experience that I highly recommend, and it was the perfect welcome to my two weeks in Bali.
Fivelements promotes healing and relaxation in nature. Image © Pat Bailey
The Healing Village features eight private riverside healing rooms where the treatments take place, each one designed with an open-air river view that welcomed a perfect breeze along with private bathrooms and stone healing bathtubs. These sanctuaries are so quiet and so peaceful it is hard to leave.
The Watsu therapy pool, along with a large lap pool for relaxing and cooling off is located in the centre of the property. Both have massage jets, underwater music, and chromotherapy lighting; the decking surrounding the pools provides dappled shade for napping and the sound of the rushing river as a soothing backdrop.
The Bidadari Beauty Sanctuary and Boutique are available if you feel like splurging on any Balinese-inspired beauty and rejuvenation treatments for your body, face, nails and hair or souvenirs of your time spent here such as healing crystals, mala beads for japa, essential oils, etc.
I loved the Sakti Dining Room and the beautiful meals that I enjoyed there. The fine-dining atmosphere and healing cuisine described as “Living Foods” by the chef; comprising raw vegan options and other lightly prepared plant-based dishes. The dinner reservations are made and set each morning and the menu is prepared daily. I enjoyed a set five-course meal that was both healthy and delicious for dinner both nights, and the breakfasts were full of brightly coloured fruits and bowls filled with organic goodness. The menu and concept of Fivelements supports local farmers, sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly products.
The property is private and secluded and tucked away in a small village that is a beautiful place to wander about if you are feeling like you want to explore. I walked to a nearby temple complex and just beyond it to some rice fields. You can easily arrange a taxi for exploring beyond a short walk but I found myself happily content with all that the property had to offer and invitations to push pause with plenty of tranquil areas to do this.
Read our full review of Fivelements
Related: Ubud Travel Guide
A private courtyard petal bath at Desa Visesa Ubud. Image © Pat Bailey
Enjoying the private villa pool at Desa Visesa Ubud Bali. Image © Pat Bailey