Villa Saraswati

Villa Saraswati takes its name from the Hindu goddess of knowledge and arts, and this tranquil hotel does a good job of capturing both with its mature and elegant vibe. Robyn and Dean are the owners, and they aim to make the villa feel like home for their guests. With just five rooms on two floors, the hotel is an intimate place, and guests are encouraged to interact with each other -- especially over breakfast, which is served on the elegant dining terrace at a family-style table. It is not an especially good place for travelers who want complete privacy, although individual rooms are private and there's an undeniable romance to the setting. 

This small property has an upscale homey ambience, and the main lounge area features cushy sofas and chairs where guests can hang out to talk, read books, or just enjoy the gorgeous jungle scenery. Other areas around the property provide additional places for guests to relax and linger -- like the small, but sleek, pool. To maintain the serenity and peace of the property, no children are allowed. The hotel caters mostly to couples, including LGBT couples and travelers. A good number of solo travelers also find it to be a good choice because of its communal nature. 

This little bed-and-breakfast is located in the quiet village of Payogan, a 15-minute drive outside Ubud. The roads leading here are lined with typical village scenery and the jungle, and Villa Saraswati sits right next to the Pura Dalem Hindu temple, making it a nice vantage point for watching ceremonies. The area around the hotel is nice for morning walks, as it's quiet and secluded, but there's not exactly a ton to do or see in the immediate area aside from a few casual street-side food stalls and restaurants. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is also a 15-minute drive south of the villa, while Mount Batur takes about an hour to reach by road from here. Ngurah Rai International Airport is an 75 minutes southwest of the hotel in Kuta. 

All five rooms are individually decorated, and each hews to its own subtle theme, like the Peacock Room and the Frangipani Room. Despite differences in appearance, all have air-conditioning, mini-fridges, ceiling fans, and safes. Across the board, style is a sophisticated blend of classically elegant Balinese details and modern design. 

The upstairs Lotus Room, the most upmarket of them all, features a king-size four-poster bed with mosquito netting, intricately patterned rugs atop hardwood floors, and local wood furniture. Sliding glass doors open to the furnished balcony, which wraps around three sides and offers beautiful views of the forest. The bathroom is indoor/outdoor, with rainfall showers inside and out and an outdoor tub. 

Opening onto the pool area, the Veena Room has a king-size four-poster bed with mosquito netting, tile floors, local wood and rattan furniture, a walk-in closet, and glass doors that open onto the pool deck. The bathroom has an indoor soaking tub and shower ,and an outside shower as well. Alternatively, the Frangipani Room has views of the temple garden courtyard and the pool, with decor that includes a king-size four-poster bed with mosquito netting, tile floors, local wood furniture, and carved wooden Balinese artwork over the bed. Glass doors open onto the private furnished courtyard with its own plunge pool and tropical greenery all around. Another set of doors opens onto the main pool. The bathroom is indoors. 

The smaller Peacock Room looks out over a fountain and ponds, and features a queen-size four-poster bed with mosquito netting, tile floors, local wood furniture and lamps. The bathroom has indoor and outdoor showers, and looks out onto a courtyard. This is the only room that doesn't offer an outdoor seating area. The Swan room also has a queen-size bed, tile flooring, and locally crafted furniture. It opens onto a lovely furnished private courtyard, but its views are not as nice as in other rooms because of a wall. The bathroom also has indoor and outdoor showers.  

All meals are served in the poolside open-air dining terrace with an elegant carved-wood communal table. Each day starts with a free breakfast that includes eggs and excellent banana pancakes that are popular with guests. Lunch and dinner are usually lighter fare, with a focus on comfort food, and afternoon tea is free. 

The pool is the locus of the hotel, with guest rooms surrounding it. It's a compact but lovely space, with lush trees, flowers, potted plants, and statues. Cushioned wicker lounge chairs and umbrellas provide a bit of space for relaxing poolside. TVs are absent from guest rooms, but there is a media room with a flat-screen TV, though most guests prefer the jungle views and unplugged feeling. Massage treatments are available on-site, and the hotel will suggest nearby places for yoga and meditation. 

The hotel can also assist those who want a slightly more active vacation. Adventures that can be arranged include white-water rafting, trail biking, and scuba diving and snorkeling. Bikes and scooters can be rented for exploring the area, and tours to off-the-beaten-path places such as Singaraja, the former colonial capital of Bali, are also available. A free shuttle takes guests to Ubud twice a day, and there's also free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.