Discover over-the-top luxury in Bali. Mandapa in Ubud and the AYANA properties in Jimbaran Bay, offer luxury stays with a dose of culture.
The tropical oasis of Bali, Indonesia, feels a world away from Arizona. With layovers and flying, the transit time takes nearly two days. But this magical island in the Indian Ocean is worth the trek.
Mandapa: A Rare Resort
Located about 90 minutes north of the airport, Ubud is the cultural center of Bali; Hindu temples and rice terraces define Ubud much the same way today as it has for centuries. Nowhere will you find that better exemplified than at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Mandapa, named after the Sanskrit word for temple, opened in September 2015 as the third Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in the world.
Mandapa is extraordinary, hugging the banks of the Ayung River, surrounded by lush forests but close to the center of Ubud. The intimate retreat has 35 luxurious suites and 25 private pool villas, each with its own Patih (butler).
The best accommodations are the riverfront private pool villas, decorated in traditional yet contemporary Balinese design. There is a Balinese garden with an outdoor shower, a massive indoor shower and soaking tub, a separate house with a living/dining area, and breathtaking views from your private pool.
Our room at the Ritz-Carlton Mandapa in Ubud, Bali. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
For all-day dining, taste traditional Balinese cuisine and sample items from the chef’s organic garden at Sawah Terrace, which overlooks rice terraces and the tropical forest. For dinner, dine in one of nine private bamboo waterfront cocoons at Kubu, the resort’s fine-dining Mediterranean-European restaurant.
Mandapa Spa offers a tranquil sanctuary rooted in holistic Balinese customs. Every visit to the spa begins with a traditional Balinese welcoming foot ritual and ends with a cup of infused tea. The spa’s signature massage treatments – Royal Spice Ceremony, Romance Ritual, and Journey to Serenity – highlight indigenous ingredients, while alternative healing treatments, like Reiki, help align the mind, body, and spirit.
Exploring Ubud
Mandapa can suggest a driver who will take you around Ubud for the day, and your driver can point out the many Hindu temples dotting the city. While some are closed to the public, others welcome visitors.
Exploring the local market is a great way to experience local life and the hustle and bustle that can only be found in Asian markets. Afterward, head to Museum Puri Lukisan, Ubud’s oldest museum. It offers a glimpse at the heritage of Balinese art, and while the museum itself is quite small with a selection of paintings and woodcarvings, the grounds are exquisite.
Monkey around (literally!) at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in central Ubud, home to about 700 Balinese long-tailed monkeys. It’s also brimming with rare plants, Hindu temples, and walking paths.
Mama and baby monkey at Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
Bali Pulina Agro Tourism is about five miles outside Ubud, surrounded by rice terraces. This is an ideal spot to learn about Ubud’s agricultural richness, particularly its famous chocolate and coffee. Bali Pulina will let you taste different types of coffee and cocoa along with the most expensive Balinese coffee: Kopi Luwak. It’s a lovely way to spend a couple of hours sipping coffee from a high terrace and looking out across the lush Balinese countryside.
Journey to Jimbaran Bay
Once your time in Ubud is over, head back toward the Indian Ocean. The beautiful AYANA Resort & Spa BALI, The Villas at AYANA, and RIMBA Jimbaran BALI by AYANA are a group of resorts set amid tropical gardens on the Karang Mas Estate overlooking Jimbaran Bay and the Indian Ocean. Because it is only seven miles from Ngurah Rai International Airport, this is an ideal spot for your last few days in Bali.
One of my favorite Bali Beach Resorts was AYANA. Photo courtesy AYANA Resorts
While RIMBA Jimbaran features beautiful rooms and suites with natural themes, over-the-top experiences await at The Villas at AYANA, where guests have their own 24-hour butlers. There are 78 pool villas, and your wish is only a call away, whether it’s a Champagne brunch in the pool or a floral bubble bath for two.
I enjoyed my stay at the Villas at Ayana during my trip to Bali. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
A shuttle between each resort gives guests 18 dining and bar options, several private beaches, and 11 swimming pools. Don’t miss an afternoon at the world’s largest Aquatonic Seawater Therapy Pool, supplied directly from the Indian Ocean and featuring 60 water jets.
Aquatonic pool at Ayana Resort and Spa in Bali. Photo courtesy Ayana Resort and Spa
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head for the Rock Bar, where villa guests enjoy priority access. Rock Bar sits high on the cliffs above the Indian Ocean, pairing fabulous drinks and Mediterranean cuisine with stunning sunset vistas.
All three AYANA properties also offer a unique blend of food and cultural experiences. You can take a cooking class and learn how to use unique Balinese ingredients such as turmeric, lemongrass, palm sugar and salam leaves; attend a traditional Kampoeng Bali cultural dinner with performances; and try batik painting.
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