Pajar House

Pajar House features two distinct settings: Standard and Deluxe Rooms are located in a traditional Balinese compound in a rural village setting and the suites and villas located in a remote natural setting with pristine rice field views. Both the village and rice field locations feel far removed from the bustle of downtown Ubud and temperatures are also cooler due to a higher elevation level than Ubud and a constant breeze blowing off the rice fields. The family run hotel has a laid-back ambience and a distinctly Balinese aesthetic with traditional stylings and architectural features like red brick facades, intricately carved wood and stone features and statues, natural stone walls, and manicured tropical gardens. The hotel is popular with families and couples. 

Pajar House is located in the quiet Kelabang Moding village in the foothills of Ubud. The drive to reach the property winds along steep rural roads that pass through rain forest scenery and rice field terraces. The area is fairly remote and the nearest restaurants and shops are in downtown Ubud, about a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Ubud is known as Bali's arts and cultural hub, and it features a large selection of museums, art galleries, and cultural performance centers. Some attractions in downtown Ubud worth checking out include the Antonio Blanco Renaissance Museum, Arma Museum, the Ubud Palace, the Ubud Handicrafts Market, and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Ubud is also an epicenter for all things yoga and wellness. The most popular yoga centers are the Yoga Barn, Radiantly Alive Yoga, Taksu Yoga, and the Ubud Yoga Center. Guests should budget about 90 minutes to two hours for transfers to Kuta, Seminyak, and the airport.

Access to the Suite and Villa compounds is a bit difficult, along a winding jungle track that can only be traversed by bike or on foot. The hotel offers fee motorbike shuttles from the main road to the villas and suites, which take about 10 minutes one way. 

The hotel offers four different room types that are spread out along three different locations. Standard and Deluxe Rooms are located within a traditional Balinese compound in a rural village setting. The One-Bedroom Pool Villas and Suites are housed in two different compounds, both of which feature gorgeous rice field and rain forest views. All three compounds have communal swimming pools. 

Rooms include balcony seating areas and have modern interiors, plus large glass doors and windows that let in lots of light and airflow. Balinese stylings and features are highlighted throughout, with red brick facades, solid wood trim and furniture, and intricate wood carvings and traditional paintings. Standard room amenities include: air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, coffee- and tea-making facilities, bathrobes and slippers, toiletries, and bottled water. We noticed during out tour that rooms weren't equipped with safes or hairdryers. 

Standard and Deluxe Room types are more affordably priced, but are a bit more aged and don't offer rice field views. The One-Bedroom Pool Villas are the hotel's premier room category and are the most private, plus they feature the largest floor plans, gorgeous rice field views, and large wraparound patios with dining tables and chairs. Suites also offer rice field views, but are more streamlined and less private as they are positioned in a two-story building with multiple rooms. 

Bathrooms are clean and modern, though a bit tired. Bathroom layouts include a small vanity counter with a stone sink and mirror, a deep soaking tub, and a separate shower. Villas bathrooms are spacious and semi open-air, plus they feature outdoor showers and tropical greenery.

Pajar House Ubud has limited facilities. The biggest draw is the serene and tranquil ambience, and the gorgeous natural surroundings. The hotel offers free daily guided rice field treks. Rooms are spread out along three compounds, each of which features an outdoor swimming pool. The villa compound has a large infinity edged swimming pool, which is surrounded by rice fields and tropical greenery, plus the deck has plenty of lounge chairs. The other two compounds have smaller plunge-size swimming pools, but guests can use any of the three pools. For intimate weddings and events, there's a large grass lawn overlooking the rice fields, that can be rented out. Free extras include breakfast, afternoon tea and snacks, Wi-Fi, and shuttle services into downtown Ubud. Street-side parking is available.