Barong Resort and Spa

Barong Resort's overgrown garden pathways and tranquil and serene garden vibes make for a nice reprieve from the bustling road just outside the front gates. Common areas include a spacious restaurant and lobby, but the favorite spot with most guests will be the main pool, which features trellises of hanging flower vines and manicured balinese gardens. The hotel's pathways and the entrances to the villas are full of intricate details that show the quality of Balinese landscaping and dedication of the stonework artisans, like vine covered stone walls, carved rock statues standing guard, and stone gates dividing the bungalows. There is plenty of comfy seating in lobby lounge and and there is a library of books that guests can borrow. During our visit the hotel was quiet and peaceful, and we hardly spotted any guests even though the hotel was fairly full of couples. 

Ubud has a fairly laidback vibe and most people come here to relax, immerse themselves in culture and arts, do yoga, eat good food, and treat themselves to pampering spa treatments. Barong Resort has a prime location for all of the above on Monkey Forest Road, Ubud's most happening strip. The street is lined with trendy boutiques, hip coffee shops, excellent dining options, and small bars with nightly live music. Many of the main attractions in town are less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel: Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud Market, and the Ubud Palace where tourists watch Balinese dances and other cultural performances. The Yoga Barn is about a 14-minute walk. There are a bunch of museums and galleries in town to check out, some of the most popular are the Neka Art Museum, the Don Antonio Blanco Museum, and the ARMA Museum, all of which are within a 20-minute walk from the hotel. The hotel is about a 90-minute drive from the airport, but with heavy traffic it can easily take over two hours to reach.

Barong Resort features 13 rooms with four different categories that range from one-bedroom Deluxe Bungalows to the pricier Deluxe Villa with Private Pool. The main difference is that the villas feature a small plunge pool lined with a limestone deck. Also, the Deluxe Villa features more garden space. Although prices do vary quite a bit between room types, all feature similar interiors and are outfitted with the same standard amenities of free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, a flat-screen TVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars stocked with beer and sparkling water, and sound systems. Rooms are styled with an eclectic mix of modern and traditional appointments, but the local artistry of Balinese craftsmanship is strongly showcased throughout the rooms. Villa floors have cream colored terrazzo tiles combined with patterned brown cement tiles and a few wood and limestone textured wall reliefs that add some nice richness to the space. Stylish copper light fixtures hang throughout. Dark hardwoods are utilized in the furniture and trim work. Furniture in the rooms includes a low wooden bed with a mosquito net canopy, a bedside bench, and roomy wardrobes, plus outdoor dining tables and chairs or a comfy couch (depending on the room type). 

The bathrooms are elegantly designed and generously spacious. A portion of the rooms have updated bathrooms; these have freestanding oblong terrazzo bathtubs, roomy showers with ceiling mounted rainshower heads, and large bathroom vanities with a long mirrors framed in dark hardwoods. The other bathrooms are similar in size and stylings but are a little less stylish, plus these don't have separate shower areas and instead feature a huge sunken marble shower/tub combo.  Bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers, and toiletries are provided.

None of the rooms have scenic views, but most do have some tropical greenery surrounding them. Small koi ponds with flowing fountains add a nice ambience.  Some of the rooms show signs of wear. 

The Barong Resort and Spa facilities are nice for a boutique hotel in this price range. The most stand out facility is the outdoor swimming pool, which has a tranquil garden setting. Pool chairs are limited with only four chairs laid out, though as the hotel only has 13 rooms is doesn't often too crowded. Adjacent to the pool is a small spa, which consists of just two treatment rooms containing twin beds and a shower. A variety of reasonably priced massages and beauty treatments are offered, as well as nail services. The restaurant has a stylish interior with dark hardwood and polished concrete features, plus an eclectic decor that includes local artworks, tropical plants, koi ponds, and varied seating options. There are two levels to the restaurant, downstairs is more of the dining area and upstairs is an open air lounge that is especially nice during sunset hours. Menu prices are affordable and there is a variety of both Indonesian and Western dishes, as well as a full coffee and ice cream menu. Breakfast is included in most room rates and is served a la carte. Free afternoon tea, coffee, and Balinese snacks are served daily. Although there is not a full bar here, beer, a few cocktails, and a small wine selection are offered. Other extras include a daily guided rice field trek and daily tours to Petulu Village which is famous for the large colony of kokokan birds (white herons). On-site parking is limited but free and the Wi-Fi is free throughout.