Visesa Ubud Resort

Owned by the Ubud royal family, it’s no surprise that the Visesa Ubud Resort has an elegant Balinese-inspired design on a large property filled with rice fields, streams, ponds, and lush vegetation. Many of the buildings were built pavilion-style with open-air spaces and Hindu statues and designs. This is especially true for the lobby, which features sophisticated wooden furniture and traditional dance masks on display. Thatched roofs or temple-style buildings are not uncommon here. The modern, elegant design of the restaurant showcases lovely wooden tables and chairs that sit on glossy white floors. Views of rice paddy fields are especially lovely in the evening. As with many places in Bali and with such a large property, guests should expect some mosquitos, bugs, and geckos. The lovely suites and luscious grounds creates an overall romantic atmosphere which draws a mostly couples’ clientele, however, with a pool and free breakfast offer, families stay here, too. 

Ubud isn’t a particularly large or difficult place to get around, but since Viseas Ubud Resort is on the outer edges of the city, it offers guests a free shuttle every two hours to and from the Royal Palace. It would otherwise be a 28-minute walk. Local restaurants and coffeeshops are available on the surrounding streets. Tegalalang Rice Terrace is a 15-minute drive away, while Gunung Kawi Temple takes 30 minutes to reach by car. The Sacred Monkey Forest is an eight-minute drive from the hotel. Ngurah Rai International Airport takes an hour- and 15-minute drive to reach.

All rooms at the hotel are villas and suites that perfectly fit the bill of what many travelers imagine when they think of traditional Balinese elegance. The rooms utilize natural hardwoods and stone, and feature sophisticated four-poster beds with white bedding and curtains and glossy white floors. All units come with flat-screen TVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities (espresso makers and kettles), free Wi-Fi, safes, and air-conditioning in the bedrooms. Balconies offer lovely views of the jungle or rice paddy fields. Villas have private pools, some of which are on the roof, while others are placed in terraced patios. Bathrooms are equally elegant with deep tubs, separate glass showers, and vessel sinks. Villa bathrooms are especially thoughtful with outdoor tubs and open waterfall showers. Sensatia toiletries and hairdryers are provided. Some past guests have reported bothersome odors from the bathrooms.

The hotel provides almost anything guests need while on vacation. It’s hard to beat free perks like Wi-Fi, welcome drinks, daily fruit baskets, and a breakfast buffet of hot and cold local and international options. The pool draws guests with loungers and fun aspects like a basketball goal, goggles, and floats. Stay fit with an open-air gym that has cardio and weight equipment, and is open 24 hours per day. The spa is particularly lovely with a cave treatment area, sauna, massages, and beauty treatments. As far as dining goes, the restaurant serves local and European cuisine with lovely views of the rice paddy fields. Some days, the hotel hosts barbecues coupled with traditional dance performances. Other activities are available on-site -- some of which incur a fee -- like cycling, yoga, and farm village tours. Amenities also include free parking, two meeting rooms, and laundry for a fee.