Banjar Tangkup, Desa Kedisan Tegalalang, Ubud, Indonesia | (618) 248-8274
Large, simple rooms have outdoor seating
Spa services are offered poolside or in-room
Lovely outdoor pool is quiet and surrounded by greenery
Food is provided in partnership with a tasty local restaurant
In-house guided bicycle tours and car tours available
Airport transfers available for a fee
24-hour staff and on-site security
Freebies include Wi-Fi throughout and a shuttle to Ubud
About 25-minute drive to Ubud
Older facility with dated decor
No gym, full restaurant, or spa
The seven-room Villa Sarna Ubud is a petite, upscale property about 25 minutes from Ubud. With beautiful gardens and a peaceful, remote location, the hotel is suited best for those looking for respite more than adventure, though the VIlla Sarna does offer local trekking and tours. An older property, the decor is a bit dated and simple, but rooms remain spacious and comfortable. The plethora of Balinese art throughout, including in common spaces and gardens, is a real treat, and there's a lovely outdoor pool skirted in lush greenery. Though there's no on-site restaurant, food is offered in partnership with a local restaurant and an array of spa services are available in-room or poolside. Travelers seeking a property with more amenities might want to consider the nearby Purist Villas & Spa, which has a restaurant, spa, and two outdoor pools, though rates are pricier.
Scene
Quiet and restorative resort with charming gardens
The Villa Sarna Ubud lacks the majestic quality that some of the newer Ubud resorts have, but it's a charming and tranquil escape, exchanging sleek marble patios for mossy steps and small buildings hidden among lush garden greenery. The gardens are beautiful and peppered with traditional sculptures, and though not pristine, are alluring in their overgrown ways. The rather secluded location of the Villa Sarna and the size of its rooms mainly draws couples and honeymooners who are looking for a hideaway with a serene atmosphere. The Villa Sarna's small lobby lacks all sense of luxury, however, and seems to function as a place to collect room keys and little else. It appears more like an office than a lobby, with a lumpy futon and a wood bench. The hotel's lounge and bar is more engaging, with large windows overlooking the grounds and a delightful mix of traditional art and sculpture around the room. While certainly more comfortably furnished than the lobby, there is a thrown together quality to the seating; the sofas, chairs, tables, and pillows don't necessarily ascribe to one style, but many are pieces in themselves.
Location
Somewhat remote location, a 30-minute drive to Ubud
The Villa Sarna Ubud is located in a small village on a hillside about 25 to 30 minutes from Ubud. While not excessively remote, the hotel is secluded and low-key, with few dining options in the area. The hotel provides regular shuttle service to and from Ubud, in addition to offering in-house biking and car tours to guests. Nearby sites include the Ceking rice terraces and the Pura Tirta Empul temple at Tampak Siring. The hotel is about 80 to 90 minutes from the Ngurah Rai International airport, and the hotel offers transfers to and from for a fee.
Rooms
Simple, spacious rooms with modern amenities and outdoor seating
While not entirely remote, the Villa Sarna has a cloistered sensibility; its seven rooms hidden among the lush gardens. The rooms, called villas -- though some are attached, are large and simply decorated with wood-framed four-poster beds (with mosquito netting) and in some, cushioned benches or chairs for seating. Intricately carved wooden side tables, beautiful rugs, pillows, and other woven adornments infuse the rooms with a sense of local culture and give them a touch character. Villas come with small flat-screen TVs, DVD players, iPod docks, and tea kettles -- none of which are new, but all functional. Bathrooms are large and plain, with cream tiling throughout and walk-in rainfall showers. All rooms include some sort of outdoor seating -- a cushioned day bed or table and chairs -- offering a pleasant space to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful grounds.
Features
Beautiful scenery, outdoor pool, spa services, and in-house tour guides
The Villa Sarna Ubud is a simple, restful hotel in the hilly countryside outside of Ubud. Though not quite a resort-level property, the hotel does offer a range of in-house tours and treks for guests, both by car and bicycle to explore the local sites and take in the terrain. Though there is no spa, services such as massages are available in-room or poolside. The pool is small and sometimes chilly, as it's mostly shaded by the garden, but offers a lovely spot to spend time on a sun lounger or under the fan-equipped wooden canopy. The hotel has a lounge and small separate outdoor dining area, but its food is offered in partnership with a local restaurant, which sometimes means lengthy waits for meals. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the property, though it varies in quality.