Agung Raka Resort & Villas

The Agung Raka Resort is a family-owned hotel that has been around for over 20 years. While it started out as a private villa complex, in recent years the owners have added a small two-story hotel to give guests a wider range of choice. It’s a quiet, low-key property and has a relaxed feel. Yes, you can find more luxurious options in the area -- and some of the hotels' common areas are showing their age a bit -- but this is still one of the more reasonably priced mid-range options in central Ubud. 

The architecture throughout the property successfully mixes elements of modern and traditional Balinese design. There are contemporary sofas and a white marble reception desk and floor in the lobby, as well as thatched or pagoda roofs on many of the buildings. The grounds are quite impressive, with green lawns, pathways, and fountains all opening onto lovely rice-field views. Like many hotels in the area, couples in search of a romantic tropical escape make up the majority of guests here, though families do pass through as well.

The Agung Raka Resort is situated in Ubud, the cultural hub of Bali and home to many artists and artisans. While the main road outside can be busy, and there's frequently construction going on nearby (as there is in much of central Ubud), the hotel itself has a peaceful and picturesque setting, with rice fields surrounding the hotel and views of them from many of the rooms. The roads near the hotel are lined with other hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shops. Many attractions in the area are within walking distance as well, making it a good base for tourists. The property is a minutes' walk from the Agung Rai Museum of Art, a 10-minute walk from Arma Museum and Gajah Mas Gallery, and a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk from the famous Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Sights like the Ubud Palace, Museum Puri Lukisan, and Ubud Market are a bit farther, and will take about 10 minutes to reach by car. The property is an hour's drive away from Ngurah Rai International Airport.

The property has 20 villas, available in one- or two-bedroom configurations, and 25 regular guest rooms within a two-story hotel. The hotel rooms are available in Superior or Deluxe categories. Superior Rooms have a garden view, while Deluxe Rooms look out over the pool and surrounding rice fields. Decor is modern and sleek, wit, contemporary dark-wood furniture and plain white walls. There are traditional Balinese patterns and colors used in the soft furnishings and wall art. Bathrooms in the hotel rooms are likewise modern, with granite counters and accents and walk-in showers. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, minibars, desks, free bottled water, coffeemakers, air-conditioning, safes, balconies or patios, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. 

The villas make for a nice step up and are far more ornate, with traditional Balinese touches like wall carvings, sharp woodwork, and elaborately patterned doors. Based on the design of traditional Balinese rice barns, the living space is downstairs and the bedrooms are up above. Bathrooms in villas are spacious, with large bath tubs and separate showers, and many are partially open to the outdoors. The villas are constructed out of wood and bamboo, and have charming thatched roofs. Some of the villas are a 10-minute walk from the reception area, but golf carts are on hand to drive guests around.

Like many hotels in the area, the star of the show here are the hotel's two pools. Each is surrounded by plenty of lounge chairs and both look out onto pleasant greenery, with partial rice-field views. The hotel also has its own restaurant, which is a simple open-air space with a thatched-roof -- it overlooks the pool and rice fields. The restaurant specializes in Indonesian cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and is served as a buffet, with a blend of Western and Indonesian options. Spa treatments, including massages, are given in the picturesque outdoor pavilion that sits in the middle of the peaceful rice fields. The hotel also offers a meeting room for up 45 people, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, free on-site self-parking, and a free shuttle which covers the local area. Additionally, tours and activities can be arranged through the hotel, including cooking classes that are held on-site.