Santi Mandala

Santi Mandala is located on a tropical forest hillside, bisected by the Panaraga Giri river. Situated next to rice paddies, the sprawling property is covered in lush greenery, including palm trees, shrubs, hedges, lawns, and fragrant and colorful flowers such as frangipani.Koi ponds and attractively weathered stone walls make for lovely romantic walks through the grounds, as to the views of the neighboring countryside. Buildings have thatched or pagoda-style roofs and interiors all embrace a rustic-chic aesthetic, with lots of warm wood and breezy white fabrics. 

Guests check in at the open-air lobby and receive a welcome drink and cold towel. The restaurant and spa are also open to the air, and the latter has a big outdoor section with a ravine, foliage, waterfall, and hot springs. Guests gather in the spa for yoga classes, and also in and around the free-form swimming pool. Surrounded by palm trees and greenery, the pool is large and multi-tiered. The resort draws some families, but couples are most frequently seen here, drawn the tranquility and natural setting.

Santi Mandala is on a tropical hillside overlooking the Panaraga Giri river in the Sukawati area. This part of Bali is known as the art and culture capital of the island, and there is plenty to do in the area, though a car would be helpful. Batuan Temple is a three-minute drive or 15-minute walk away. About a 15-minute drive away, the Agung Rai Museum of Art shows Balinese, Indonesian, and European artists, and has lovely botanical gardens. Showcasing Balinese paintings and traditional handicrafts, Sukawati Art Market is an eight-minute drive from the hotel (with free resort shuttle five times daily). It's about a 20-minute drive to the center of Ubud, with its shops, restaurants, cafes, and yoga centers. Other attractions in central Ubud include the Ubud Market, Ubud Palace, the Museum Puri Lukisan, which displays modern traditional Balinese paintings and wood carvings. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is about a 25-minute drive from Santi Mandala, and Blanco Renaissance Museum will take 30 minutes to reach by car. Ngurah Rai International Airport, outside of lively Kuta, is about a 50-minute drive from the resort.

All 27 rooms at Santi Mandala are spacious villas, and come in a range of sizes and bed configurations. Topped by pagoda or thatched roofs, the villas have a rustic-meets-upscale look with hardwood or stone floors, dark-wood furniture, and white cotton bedding with wine-red throws and mosquito netting around the beds. Villas have a white, tan, and beige color palette that keeps things breezy, and Balinese art hangs on the walls. All have balconies or terraces, and some have views of the pond, river, or rice paddies. Befitting the tropical countryside setting, there's plenty of air and natural light in each room, as many rooms have sliding glass walls that can be thrown open to nature (just be sure to bring bug spray -- this is the tropics, after all). 

Standard features include air-conditioning, safes, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. Some have some combination of private swimming pools or plunge pools, sundecks, gardens, dining rooms, kitchens, and butler service upon request. Many villas also have one or two separate bedrooms. All bathrooms are spacious and clean, and some are open air with soaking tubs and outdoor showers. In many cases, the toilet is also outside, which may or may not please some guests.

Santi Mandala's highlight feature is its large, tiered, free-form swimming pool, surrounded by lush tropical grounds, a deck, and poolside bar with a sunset cocktail hour. The full-service spa features a wide range of Balinese-style treatments (for a fee), including massages, facials, and reflexology. The spa also has flower baths, traditional Jamu herbal medicine, meditation, Japanese Reiki healing, and yoga classes. There's a sauna to sweat it all out, and therapeutic hot tubs that are perfect for a relaxing soak. 

The restaurant serves a breakfast buffet with such items as eggs, sausage, fried noodles and rice, breads, and fruit. Unfortunately it's not included in room rates. Located adjacent to the garden and pool, the open-air restaurant also serves European, Indonesian, and Balinese fare for lunch and dinner. Guests can request special theme-night dinners (for a fee) with Balinese traditional dance and music. Room service is available. 

The resort also offers on-site or nearby activities like Balinese cooking and dance classes, jogging, cycling tours, hiking treks, whitewater rafting, four-wheel driving tours, horseback riding, fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Almost all of these activities come at an extra fee. A free shuttle runs several times daily to central Ubud and Sukawati Art Market. Parking at the resort is free of charge. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.