Komaneka at Rasa Sayang

The locally owned Komaneka properties make customer service an obvious priority -- no guest request is ever treated as an inconvenience. The staff attitude contributes to the serene and easygoing vibe, tranquility the hotel manages to maintain despite a bit of noise from nearby construction.

The lobby sits in a thatched-roof building just beyond the circular drive entrance. Marble floors and white couches make the space feel both luxurious and inviting, and chilled towels and welcome drinks greet guests upon check-in -- which is quick and efficient -- and ease people into the relaxed Balinese style. Open-air hallways, with their stone pathways, wooden wall coverings, and hanging vines and plants, contribute to the naturalistic ambience here. This is an "oasis in the middle of Ubud," where couples, families, groups, and solo travelers can feel safe and pampered.

The Komaneka at Rasa Sayang is located downtown, near several shops and restaurants on the bustling Monkey Road. It's also near the tropical forest. And the Komaneka Fine Art Gallery is also within one mile; the Ubud Royal Palace and Ubud Market are 15 minutes away. The hotel offers free shuttle service to any attractions in Ubud, and to any of the other Komaneka resorts in the area, where guests receive full privileges at no extra charge.

Most of the open and airy high-ceilinged rooms at this hotel are at the Deluxe level, although a couple are private rooftop retreats. Decorated in a contemporary style, the rooms have Balinese touches such as teakwood accent walls and traditional art pieces. They come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and electric kettles and coffeemakers. Beds have quality linens, and bathrooms have deep soaking bathtubs, separate rainfall showers, and double sinks. Hairdryers and toiletries are also provided. Rooms are air-conditioned, but the units don't seem powerful enough to adequately cool the rooms, although rooms get cooling breezes from their balconies and patios.Thoughtful extras include flip-flops and tote bags -- and at night, Komeneka pajamas are laid out. 

The lovely alfresco Madu Manis restaurant sits under a thatched roof and overlooks the pool and jungle beyond. It serves authentic Indonesian cuisine at reasonable prices. Twenty-four hour room service is available, too, and there's a lobby bar and lounge. A made-to-order a la carte breakfast is included in the room rate.

The resort's outdoor pool is surrounded by dense tropical trees and foliage, and the green-hued water gives it a lagoon-like quality. There are plenty of loungers and umbrellas on the wooden deck that surrounds the water, and flotation devices are available. Afternoon tea with pastries is served poolside. 

A variety of massages, facials, and beauty treatments are available at the full-service Akar Wangi Spa. One body scrub uses lulur, a once- secret royal Javanese scrub of rice and spices that works as a skin softening elixir that naturally exfoliates and deep-cleanses rough and dry skin. There are single and double treatment rooms available, as well as hydrotherapy tubs. The spa lobby is open air with marble floors and an infinity pool and fountain with tropical views beyond.

Unfortunately, there is no fitness center, but guests can take the free hotel shuttle to Komaneka at Tanggayuda or Komaneka at Bisma and use the gyms and yoga rooms there. 

The hotel will schedule whitewater rafting excursions for guests. Woodcarving lessons, coconut-leaf craft making sessions, and traditional dance classes are offered on various days to guests on longer stays.