Adiwana Svarga Loka

Built in 2013, Svarga Loka Resort takes it name from the phrase "a good kingdom" found in a Hindu epic poem. Situated on a hill overlooking the Campuhan River, the resort was built on one of the most sacred spots in Ubud, the ruins of a local temple. The hotel has preserved many of the original carved stone walls, shrines, and statues. A towering ancient Banyan tree dominates the property, and the resort also has lush foliage throughout, with shrubs, bushes, and flowers like frangipani. The property is surrounded by rice fields and overlooks a lush green valley -- the view and setting are spectacular. It all makes for a fitting setting for a hotel with a dedication to wellness and tranquility. 

Interiors embrace traditional Balinese design and rustic style, with abundant warm wood throughout and plenty of open views to the surrounding jungle. The full-service spa has open-air treatment rooms overlooking the river, and the resort also offers yoga classes, meditation, holistic medicine, healing therapies, and has a vegetarian restaurant with superb river views. It will be no surprise that the majority of guests here are couples, as there's an undeniable romance to it all. Keep in mind that the resort is on a hillside, and guests have to climb many stairs to get to the restaurant and pool. Additionally, it will be worth bringing bug spray -- this is the jungle after all. 

Svarga Loka Resort sits on the banks of the Campuhan River in Penestanan, an artist's village west of central Ubud. Numerous restaurants and cafes are in the area, and the resort is in a good spot for those who like to walk to attractions. The Svarga Loka is a two-minute walk to the Blanco Renaissance Museum, the house and studio of the famous Bali artist Don Antonio Blanco. The Campuhan Ridge Walk nature trek is a five-minute walk away, and it's a 15-minute walk to the Museum Puri Lukisan, which showcasing modern traditional Balinese paintings and wood carvings. The home and temple of the local royal family, Ubud Palace, is also within a 15-minute walk from the resort -- the resort offers free drop-off shuttle service from the palace. Located across the street from Ubud Palace, the Ubud Art Market sells woven skirts, paintings, wood carvings, baskets, and other Balinese handicrafts. The Agung Rai Museum of Art shows Balinese, Indonesian, and European artists and has botanical gardens, and is a little over a 10-minute drive, and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is about a 15-minute drive. Expect a one-hour drive to Ngurah Rai International Airport, outside of Kuta.

The 44 rooms and suites at Svarga Loka Resort have a modern feel, with Balinese accents in decorative doors, wood furniture, headboards, and colorful art on the walls. Rooms have a white, beige, tan, and brown color palette that keeps things looking bright, while white cotton bedding looks sharp with gold or maroon decorative throws. Polished marble floors and granite surfaces add an upscale look in many rooms, while other rooms have quirkier touches, like the wine-cork details in the Deluxe Room that we visited. Rooms are clean and quiet and get good natural light. Given the resort's jungle location, some rooms have occasional problems with mosquitoes -- not all come with mosquito netting -- so rooms have repellent. 

Rooms are 420 to 538 square feet (39 to 50 square meters), and suites are 807 to 1615 square feet (75 to 150 square meters).  All rooms have safes, desks, bathrobes, free bottled water, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and free Wi-Fi but no TVs or minibars. Furnished balconies or terraces come standard, and some of these are truly spacious. Views of the river and lush green valley beyond are available in the most prized rooms, so check ahead. Additionally, some suites have living rooms and kitchenettes. Bathrooms are clean, well lighted, and spacious, with ample counter space around the sink. Not all bathrooms have tubs, while some have jetted tubs. Some showers are open-air or done in attractive stone. All rooms are non-smoking.

With an emphasis on wellness throughout the resort, it won't be a surprise that many features here area geared toward relaxing and regrouping. Naturally, there is a large outdoor pool. While not meant for a proper swim, the setting feels almost swallowed by the jungle and a few places to lounge are tucked in along its free-form edge. The full-service spa offers a wide selection of massages, facials, and reflexology treatments, including open-air massages overlooking the river and surrounding greenery. Somewhat surprisingly, there is not fitness center here.

Wellness programs on offer include detoxification, stress reduction, and take-home holistic medicine and healing therapies. Guests can also use the sauna, and participate in free yoga or Bangau Putih Silat (White Crane) martial arts classes with the other guests. There are also classes in Balinese cooking, Balinese arts and crafts (batik painting, wood carving, silver jewelry), and canang sari offerings to thank Hindu deities. The Svarga Loka also offers meditation rituals, sacred music, sound healing, and walks at nearby Campuhan Ridge, through villages and rice fields. Fees may apply for some activities. 

The restaurant serves inventive Balinese vegetarian cuisine and fresh juices for lunch and dinner. The limited free breakfast consists of coffee, tea, fruit, and bread with homemade papaya and pineapple jam -- some guests may find the selection to be limited. The resort also has meeting rooms, free parking,  a free drop-off shuttle to Ubud Palace and Ubud Market, and free Wi-Fi.