Welcome to Checking In, a review series in which our editors and contributors rate the best luxury hotels based on a rigorous—and occasionally tongue-in-cheek—10-point system: Each question answered “yes” gets one point. Will room service bring you caviar? Does your suite have its own butler? Does the bathroom have a bidet? Find out below.

Describe the hotel in three words: Peaceful jungle sanctuary.

What’s the deal?

Bali, rife with hotel options running the gamut from secluded beach resorts perched on dramatic cliffs to luxe family getaways with all the bells and whistles and adventurous forest escapes, adds another opening to its ever-growing list, though this new property might subvert the usual expectations travellers have when heading to the Indonesian island.

Anantara Ubud Bali Resort, the second Anantara hotel to open on the island, purposefully sought out the lesser-trodden Banjar Puhu village in Payangan district for its location, and while Ubud is in the name, this deep-in-the-hinterlands destination is a far cry from the pace, excess, and carefully curated clichés of the nearby tourism-saturated town.

85 suites and villas are collected on a forested hillside in a cascading arrangement reminiscent of rice paddies, alongside restaurants and bars, the lobby, and other common spaces and facilities, all overlooking a stretch of dense jungle. (A mix of stairs, lifts, and a nifty funicular railway connect the different levels.) Anantara Ubud Bali Resort’s maze-like compound brings to mind the geometric pura temple structures found across Bali, where the grounds are separated into trimandala zones with plenty of open-air spaces, strengthening the property’s mission of promoting authenticity and unconventional cultural immersion, all while blending the architecture and structures into the surrounding landscape. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a kinetic Balinese gamelan installation, calling out a greeting.

Ask for Made Warnata—as the director of spa, wellness, and recreation at Anantara Ubud Bali Resort, the Bali-born local is the best person to speak to about underrated experiences and off-the-beaten-path things to do on this stretch of the island, considering he curated the entire activities programme. His deep knowledge and carefully cultivated connections open doors to the genuine soul, spirit, and culture of Bali that feels overshadowed by modern overdevelopment, making a stay—and your daily itinerary—at Anantara Ubud Bali Resort stand out from the rest. According to Warnata, around 90 per cent of the leisure experiences are integrated with nature and storytelling to expose guests to an authentic side of Bali. (In fact, catch Warnata for a chat and he will tell you all about Payangan and its origins as the “place of the gods,” as well as the birthplace of the subak community irrigation system.)

From on-site workshops teaching basket-weaving and batik painting to a naturalist-led tour of the oldest village on the island and countryside, conquering Abang mountain, and spiritual purification at the Mengening water temple, there’s much to keep busy with.

The best room?

Of the accommodation options available at Anantara Ubud Bali Resort, the jungle-facing ones, spread out in a cascading terrace formation, are the best, and of those, the finest is the 160-square-metre Two-Bedroom Forest View Pool Villa. It comes with two en-suite bedrooms—in king and twin configurations—with standalone tubs, dressing rooms, and walk-in showers, as well as a sizeable living and dining area. Both bedrooms have sliding doors that open up to the infinity plunge pool. Delicate threads of Balinese design influences, natural stone, carved wood, and a neutral colour palette create a contemporary feeling. In the villa bathroom, we loved the sliding mirrors above the twin copper sinks; push them back to extend the view through to the bedroom, infinity pool, and lush greenery beyond.

Did they greet you by name at check-in?

Yes—the Anantara Ubud Bali Resort team was kind, attentive, and eager to help. It was relatively quiet when we arrived at the hotel for our stay as December is considered to be low season for Bali tourism due to frequent rain, though things do get busier around the holidays.

Was a welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived?

Yes; a cooling concoction of passion fruit, coconut water, and lemon juice was promptly proffered as part of the check-in process the moment we sat down on the outdoor terrace of the Lobby Lounge, which is where our relaxed check-in process took place.

Private butler for every room?

Not at the moment, but villa guests have the benefit of turning to their assigned villa hosts for requests, questions, and the like. Private butler service is planned for 2025, but at time of visit this past December, the existing butler team is tasked to handle more than one villa at a time.

Is the sheet thread count higher than 300?

Sure is. Villas and suites are furnished with blissful 400-thread-count bedding.

Is there a heated floor in the bathroom? What about a bidet?

Bali is tropical and temperate even in the winter months, so the rooms at Anantara Ubud Bali Resort have no need of heated floors. Bathrooms do come with handheld bidets.

Are the toiletries full-sized?

Yes; the Anantara-branded toiletries are installed in the spacious shower room in robust containers made of hewn stone, adding a tasteful touch to their rustic appearances. Aside from the standard trio of body wash, shampoo, and conditioner, those who cannot go without a soothing soak will enjoy the additional bubble-bath soap dispenser for the deep bathtub.

Is there a private pool for the room’s exclusive use? How are the spa and gym?

All villa-level accommodations come with a private infinity plunge pool overlooking the treetops. For a change of pace, head to the heated family pool, looking out over a different stretch of lush jungle, or the adults-only pool in Sulang Bar for a quiet afternoon sans kids. A 24-hour gym equipped with cardio machines, weight stations, and yoga accessories stands at your disposal, as do personal trainers, who are available upon request.

Wellness at Anantara transcends a stress-melting massage or body treatment—though there is plenty such therapies to choose from on-property at the Anantara Spa, from the Royal Javanese Lulur ritualdesigned to cleanse and soften the skin, to the Traditional Balinese Boreh treatment, using an aromatic paste of cinnamon, cloves, ginger and rice powder to address muscle and joint pain. Specialists Ibu Ayu Indra and Ibu Mursi lead such wellness programmes as The Journey of Sound Healing, Chakra Synergistic Therapy, and Tendon Meridian Therapy. Guests can also venture off-property to Bukian village with the Anantara team to experience an ancient healing and spiritual journey deeply rooted in Balinese culture; high priest Idha Guru Sri Empu leads a sacred, two-hour Agni Yajna ceremony intended to invite purification and divine blessings through consecrated fire offerings and chants.

Is the restaurant worth its salt?

Yes. All-day dining restaurant Kirana explores the flavours of Bali and other Indonesian localities through authentic dishes lifted from around the archipelago. Discover Nusa Dua through a grilled tuna and sambal matah, Ubud through the bebek bututu slow-roasted duck wrapped in palm leaves with Balinese spices and cassava leaves, Sumatra through the rendang daging braised beef with coconut milk and cassava leaves, and Lamongan through the soto ayam, a chicken soup with glass noodles, shredded chicken, boiled egg, cabbage, bean sprouts, lime, and green chilli. Breakfast is served at Kirana as well, à la carte, with French toast, eggs royale, smoothie bowls, bubur ayam chicken rice porridge, and khao tom gai breakfast congee with chicken among the varied selections.

Amerta infuses Mediterranean-inspired fine-dining creations with Indonesian flair and ingredients, showcasing the versatility of local produce. Although à la carte options are available, consider the degustation menu for a six-course menu packed with all the highlights. It comprises dry-aged mahi mahi in tomato confit, lemon nectar, golden tomato pressé, and fresh herbs from the jungle; citrus-cured red snapper with avocado, yuzu, green chilli, and organic radish; seared foie gras escalope and pineapple jam with crispy quinoa, cape gooseberries, and passion fruit; the locally raised and halal grilled Tokusen Wagyu sirloin in a béarnaise sauce with charred onions, peppers, aka miso, star-anise beef jus, and andaliman peppers; red dragon fruit and strawberry with vanilla crème and rosella granita; and chocolate and kluak crémeux with caramelised popcorn and salted caramel sauce.

Anantara Ubud Bali Resort can also plan custom culinary experiences through its Designer Dining programme, curating the whole package from menu to venue. Indulging in a bespoke dinner by a waterfall or a private lunch amid the rice paddies is surely one for the books.

Do you want to spend Friday night in the lobby bar?

Yes. Will it be Sulang Bar or the Lobby Lounge? (If glimpsing the majestic Agung mountain is on your to-do list, make a move to the Lobby Lounge.) Both have alfresco seating arrangements, small bites like glazed mushroom skewers and prawn and pork crispy dumplings, and a comprehensive selection of classic and creative cocktails, mocktails, wines, and spirits. A Misty Rusty of whiskey, Balinese black tea, burnt cinnamon, and tangerine zest will smoothly whet the whistle. Check out the Arak Adventure section of the Sulang Bar menu for a local Indonesian twist to your night; the Adventure blends Balinese premium arak with orange liqueur, honey coconut liqueur, and homemade pandan syrup.

Would you buy the hotel if you could?

Yes. Anantara Ubud Bali Resort stands out as an enchanting escape away from the hustle and bustle, blending stellar service and thoughtful design with a commitment to honouring cultural heritage and Balinese traditions, allowing guests to connect to the heart and soul of the island. We think it’s the ideal place to be for an authentic taste of Bali at its core.

Score: 8.5

What Our Score Means:

1–3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you stay here.

4–6: Solid if you’re in a pinch—but only if you’re in a pinch.

7–8: Very good. We’d stay here again and recommend it without qualms.

9–10: Forget booking a week. When can we move in permanently?

All images courtesy of Anantara Ubud Bali Resort.