There are few destinations anywhere in the world quite like Ubud, Bali. A beautifully symbiotic blend of luxury and the natural environment, there’s no doubt there is something about Ubud that appeals to most. As visitors have shared their stories of this jungle escape, the popularity of Ubud and its surroundings have soared. However, when searching for the best places to stay in Ubud Bali, you can almost be guaranteed that most of the areas luxury hotels in Ubud will all offer one key element; a tranquil escape from the busy town center. These are just five very unique Ubud hotels that should be on your Bali bucket list.
Fivelements offer a beautiful retreat-style stay in the Ubud jungle. | © Pat Bailey
The Best Places to Stay in Ubud, Bali
This is a handful of luxury hotels in Ubud that we have experienced. Each offers a unique experience from a wellness focus to jungle dining or luxury glamping.
These are a few of the best places to stay in Ubud Bali:
Kupu Kupu Barong
Kupu Kupu Barong Tree Villas and Spa offers the ultimate jungle retreat just outside of Ubud.
This hotel is a stand out as one of the best places to stay in Ubud, Bali for couples.
Nothing says Ubud more than views of the beautiful vine-covered valley and river below. Kupu Kupu Barong‘s 39 private pool villas all come with private butlers, while the property itself is expansive, covering three hectares.
This hotel is one of the best places to stay in Ubud for couples, known for its iconic five-star Tree Spa by L’Occitane, its romantic meal experiences (like dinner at their infinity pool overlooking the valley), and its popular afternoon high-teas (a great option even if you aren’t staying at the hotel).
There are also many activities like bike riding through the rice fields, the monkey forest, Ubud village tours, and hiking excursions it offers guests around Ubud. We were lucky enough to stay at the sister hotel on the property, the Jungle Retreat.
Read our Jungle Retreat review.
Fivelements
Fivelements is an intimate retreat-style hotel on the banks of the Ayung River just outside of Ubud.
With wellness at the forefront of their offering, Fivelements is much more than a simple hotel stay.
Every part of the day is holistically thought out, from the nutrient-dense, healthy menu, filling plates with color and vibrancy, to the incredible spa treatments in nature.
This really is an immersive Ubud retreat experience. Read our Fivelements Ubud Retreat review.
Como Uma Ubud is where class and wellness meet at the edge of the jungle in Ubud. | © Lucy Pearson
Como Uma Ubud
The name Como is one that exudes substance in the wellness travel world. A Como hotel is bound to offer a stay that is rich in thoughtful details, mindful moments, and experiences.
Our time at Como Uma Ubud was evidence of that. Como Uma Ubud is a retreat-style resort where guests are offered privacy, luxury, and proximity to nature.
The generously-sized villas are decorated in warm woods and soft white. Private infinity pools invite guests to savor their personal view of the Jampuhan Valley below.
Guests can also expect all of the usual wellness notes that Como is known for, from innovative spa treatments to daily yoga and mouthwatering healthy food. Read our Como Uma Ubud review.
Sandat Glamping Tents is a truly unique way to experience the jungle outside of Ubud, Bali. | © Sandat Glamping
Sandat Glamping Tents
Sandat Glamping Tents is for those searching for an Ubud hotel experience unlike any other.
Stay in luxury tents on the fringes of the Ubud jungle with all of the luxuries of a hotel at your fingertips.
A private pool awaits where poolside massage treatments are on the menu. A bamboo yoga bale invites those continuing their practice while on holiday.
The common spaces are crafted from bamboo and are an eclectic mix of beach, jungle, and luxury resort styling. Read our Sandat Glamping Tents review.
Visesa Ubud
Desa Visesa Ubud is guided by the premise of honoring traditions while offering a luxury stay to guests.
Crafted around the image of a Balinese village, expect to see nature on your villa doorstep with the verdant green of rice paddies creeping towards your private pool.
Open-air bathrooms invite guests to embrace the natural environment, while a private butler service ensured no whim is left unattended.
There are plenty of local cultural and adventurous activities on offer too, if you can manage to leave the comfort of your villa.
Read more about our stay at Desa Visesa here.
Desa Visesa Ubud is a place where tradition, nature, and luxury come together beautifully. | © Pat Bailey
Mandapa, A Ritz Carlton Reserve
Stepping into Mandapa is like entering a world of its own. This is one of the best places to stay in Ubud Bali for families.
If you have the budget, splurge on a villa at Mandapa.
The property offers privacy, positioned along the Ayung River, space, and a feeling that you are well away from the chaotic Ubud town center.
You will be hard-pressed to tear yourself away from your expansive suite or pool villa with nature-based and wellness-minded activities aplenty on offer here too.
We ate lunch on the Sawah Terrace and it opened up our eyes to this stunning, expansive Ubud estate.
On a previous trip, I had actually passed the hotel in a whitewater raft (as pictured below) and at the time wondered what this incredible property was.
Seeing it from land and dining on a five-star lunch there has firmly answered our question of where to stay in Ubud on our next visit; Mandapa is at the top of our Ubud hotels bucket list.
Read more Bali guides here:
The exclusive Mandapa Hotel sits on the banks of the Ayung River in Ubud.| © Skye Gilkeson
Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.
She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.
As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.
Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.
Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.
Read more about Skye’s story here.