Ubud’s Ultimate Escapes: Top 10 Luxury Rice Terrace Hotels
Introduction
Ubud, with its serene landscapes and ancient spiritual heritage, offers a luxurious retreat for those seeking tranquility and opulence. Nestled amongst lush rice paddies and steep ravines, the town’s luxury accommodations provide unparalleled experiences. For the discerning traveler, Ubud’s rice terrace hotels offer a blend of exquisite Balinese architecture, world-class amenities, and breathtaking views that promise a stay of unparalleled comfort and indulgence. Here, we explore the top 10 luxury hotels where each property promises a unique gateway to Ubud’s enchanting beauty.
TOP 10 LUXURY HOTELS IN UBUD
1. Viceroy Bali
– Price: €1,200/night
– Perched majestically above Bali’s Valley of the Kings, Viceroy Bali is an award-winning 40-villa resort known for its exclusivity, elegance, and Balinese authenticity. This family-owned property, opened in 2005, offers villas with private heated pools and panoramic jungle views. The resort features the acclaimed Apéritif fine dining restaurant with a Belgian chef, CasCades all-day dining, the speakeasy-style Pinstripe Bar, and the Akoya Spa. A private helipad offers direct airport transfers for ultimate convenience.
– Best season: April to October
– Insider tip: Book the Deluxe Terrace Villas for uninterrupted valley views and sunrise. Don’t miss the degustation dinner at Apéritif and a cocktail masterclass with Head Mixologist Panji.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
2. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
– Price: €1,100/night
– Mandapa is one of only nine Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties worldwide, offering an extraordinary level of personalized service. Nestled along the sacred Ayung River, the resort features 35 suites and 25 private pool villas designed by Jeffrey Wilkes of DESIGNWILKES, blending traditional Balinese aesthetics with contemporary luxury. Each guest is assigned a dedicated Patih (butler) for 24-hour personalized service. The property includes Kubu Restaurant, Sawah Terrace for authentic Indonesian cuisine, and Ambar Ubud Bar.
– Best season: June to September
– Insider tip: Reserve the Ayung River Front Villa for private dining with river views. Visit the resort’s organic garden and pick vegetables for your personalized cooking class with the chef.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
3. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
– Price: €900/night
– The Four Seasons at Sayan is an architectural marvel featuring an iconic arrival via a dramatic suspension bridge leading to a lotus pond suspended atop the main building. Suites and villas hover above treetops or nestle beside the Ayung River, offering unparalleled connection with nature. The newly renovated Sacred River Spa draws on ancient Balinese healing rituals, while activities range from sacred river walks to anti-gravity yoga. The Ayung Terrace restaurant showcases Indonesian cuisine with ingredients from the resort’s gardens.
– Best season: April to September
– Insider tip: Book a River-View Two-Bedroom Villa for the meditation area with hypnotic river sounds. Arrange the signature raft check-in experience from the sister property Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
4. Alila Ubud
– Price: €550/night
– Alila Ubud is a tranquil hillside retreat designed by renowned architect Kerry Hill, perched high above the Ayung River valley. The resort’s dramatic emerald-green infinity pool appears to float above the plunging valley below—one of the most photographed pools in Bali. Built on stilts like traditional tree houses, the rooms and villas blend contemporary design with Balinese architecture. Spa Alila combines massage, meditation, and mindful care with a holistic approach to wellness. Now part of Hyatt, guests can earn World of Hyatt points.
– Best season: April to October
– Insider tip: Join the complimentary morning walk through local villages and rice fields. Book the Two Bedroom Pool Villa (240 sqm) for the resort’s largest accommodation with private pool and outdoor tubs.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
– Price: €1,300/night
– Home to the world-famous split-level infinity pool—voted “World’s Best Swimming Pool” by Condé Nast Traveler—Hanging Gardens of Bali offers a luxurious jungle escape like no other. Built in 2005 by 700 local craftsmen using traditional materials including Batu Chandi volcanic stone, the resort features 44 private pool villas designed by French architect Gordon Shaw. Each villa includes a heated private infinity pool, outdoor shower, and spectacular views of the ancient Pura Penataran Dalem Segara temple across the valley.
– Best season: May to September
– Insider tip: Book the signature “Romance Under the Stars” dining experience on a floating deck in the lower pool. Request the Panoramic Pool Villa or Hidden Palace (5-bedroom, 2,000 sqm) for ultimate luxury.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
– Price: €1,000/night
– COMO Shambhala Estate is Bali’s premier destination wellness retreat, occupying a 22-acre natural sanctuary beside the sacred Ayung River. The estate draws its healing energy from The Source, a natural spring revered by locals for centuries. Designed by architect Cheong Yew Kuan with interior designer Koichiro Ikebuchi, accommodations range from suites to five-bedroom residences. Multi-day wellness programs include Detox to Restore, Fit to Perform, and Ayurveda treatments with resident practitioners. The award-winning COMO Shambhala Cuisine emphasizes nutritious, gourmet dining.
– Best season: April to November
– Insider tip: Book a minimum three-night stay to fully experience the transformative wellness programs. Participate in the Subak tour to learn about Bali’s UNESCO-listed traditional irrigation system.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
– Price: €1,400/night
– Capella Ubud redefines luxury camping with 22 individually styled one-bedroom tents and one two-bedroom lodge, each featuring private saltwater pools. Conceptualized by legendary designer Bill Bensley and inspired by early European settlers of the 1800s, this ultra-luxurious tented camp opened in 2018 in the Keliki Valley. Each tent is themed after traditional skill sets—the Naturalist’s Tent, the Cartographer’s Tent, the Photographer’s Tent—with opulent copper bathtubs, indoor and outdoor showers, and curated antiques. Member of Leading Hotels of the World.
– Best season: June to August
– Insider tip: Request the Photographer’s Tent or Horn Collector’s Tent for the best Keliki Valley views. Enjoy evening cocktails and canapés at The Officers Tent, the camp’s exclusive living room and library.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
8. Amandari
– Price: €800/night
– Amandari, meaning “peaceful spirits,” was designed by Australian architect Peter Muller to resemble a traditional Balinese village on the verdant lip of the Ayung River Gorge. One of Bali’s original luxury retreats and part of the prestigious Aman collection, the resort features 30 free-standing suites with alang-alang thatched roofs and interiors of coconut, teak, and bamboo. The iconic curved infinity pool—the first of its kind in Bali—mimics the shape of local rice terraces. A resident spiritual healer and holistic spa therapies harmonize body and mind.
– Best season: April to October
– Insider tip: Book the Amandari Villa (three bedrooms with two-tiered private pool) for families. Take advantage of the private cooking classes and complimentary Balinese dance and rindik music lessons with children from Kedewatan village.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
9. Bisma Eight
– Price: €350/night
– Bisma Eight is a contemporary boutique hotel that blends modern industrial design with traditional Balinese craftsmanship, opened in 2015. Located just a 15-minute walk from Ubud’s center, the 38-suite hotel offers the best of both worlds: easy access to cultural sites and a peaceful retreat with stunning forest views. Rooms feature Japanese soaking tubs, teak furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Dining options include Copper Kitchen & Bar for farm-to-table cuisine, Mori for Japanese Teppanyaki, and Embers rooftop restaurant. The Mandala Spa offers contemporary wellness treatments.
– Best season: April to September
– Insider tip: Book the Forest Suite for sublime jungle views from your private balcony. Join the free daily yoga classes (8-9am) and complimentary activities including Balinese cooking, dance lessons, and traditional offering-making workshops.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
10. The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah
– Price: €700/night
– Once the private estate of Hendra Hadiprana, one of Indonesia’s most respected art collectors, The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah is an intimate 20-villa retreat set among 14 acres of working rice paddies. Each villa is adorned with original Balinese artworks and hand-carved teak furnishings. The all-inclusive Club Service includes personal butler, complimentary minibar (including spirits), daily laundry, afternoon tea, sunset cocktails, and private shuttle to Ubud center. At night, 1,000 candles are lit throughout the property and rice paddies. Member of GHM Hotels and Leading Hotels of the World.
– Best season: May to September
– Insider tip: Book the Pool Villa for a private swimming pool experience. Don’t miss the twice-weekly Kecak dance performances by a local troupe and the early morning rice paddy trek with your personal butler. The complimentary hot air balloon ride offers unforgettable views of Mount Agung.
– Book Now: Official Website | Hotels.com | Booking.com | Expedia
Expert Travel Tips
1. Early Booking: Ubud’s luxury hotels are often booked months in advance, especially during peak season (June-August) and around major holidays. Book at least 3-6 months ahead to secure your preferred villa category. Many properties offer early bird discounts of 15-20% for advance reservations.
2. Cultural Sensitivity: Ubud is rich in cultural heritage. When visiting temples or attending ceremonies, dress modestly with sarongs and sashes (most hotels provide these). Remove shoes before entering sacred spaces and never point your feet toward shrines. Many luxury hotels offer cultural briefings and appropriate attire for temple visits.
3. Explore Beyond the Hotel: While the luxury resorts offer extensive activities and amenities, Ubud’s surroundings are rich with natural beauty and cultural sites. Hire a local guide through your hotel concierge for personalized tours to Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Tirta Empul Temple, or the artistic villages of Celuk, Mas, and Batuan.
4. Wellness and Spirituality: Ubud is Bali’s spiritual heartland. Take advantage of yoga classes, meditation sessions, and holistic treatments offered at your hotel. Consider booking a session with a Balian (traditional healer) or participating in a Melukat water purification ceremony at sacred springs.
5. Respect Nature: Ubud’s beauty lies in its unspoiled natural environment. When exploring, stay on marked paths, avoid single-use plastics (many hotels have eliminated them), and respect wildlife. Support hotels with strong sustainability programs and consider offsetting your travel carbon footprint.
FAQs
Q: What is the best way to get around Ubud?
A: Ubud is best explored by private car with driver, which most luxury hotels can arrange (approximately €40-60/day). For shorter distances, scooters are popular but require an international driving permit and confidence navigating narrow roads. All featured hotels offer complimentary scheduled shuttle services to Ubud center, and properties like The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah include private car transfers as part of their Club Service.
Q: Are Ubud’s rice terrace hotels suitable for families?
A: Most Ubud luxury hotels welcome families with spacious multi-bedroom villas, children’s activities, and family-friendly experiences. Mandapa has an excellent kids’ club (Mandapa Camp), Four Seasons offers a complimentary children’s program, and Amandari provides daily Balinese dance lessons for young guests. Note that Capella Ubud is not recommended for children under 6 due to the steep terrain. Always confirm specific family amenities when booking.
Q: Can dietary restrictions be accommodated at these hotels?
A: Absolutely. Ubud’s luxury hotels excel at catering to dietary needs, from vegan and vegetarian (very common given the wellness focus) to gluten-free, halal, and specific allergies. COMO Shambhala Estate specializes in nutritional cuisine, while Four Seasons and Alila source from organic gardens and can customize any meal. Inform the hotel of your requirements at booking and again upon arrival for seamless dining experiences.
Conclusion
Ubud’s luxury rice terrace hotels offer an unparalleled escape into a world of elegance, wellness, and cultural richness. From the world-famous infinity pools of Hanging Gardens to the tented glamour of Capella Ubud, from the wellness mastery of COMO Shambhala Estate to the traditional village charm of Amandari, each property provides a unique gateway to Bali’s spiritual heartland. Whether you seek transformative wellness programs, romantic seclusion, or immersive cultural experiences, these ten exceptional hotels promise memories that will last a lifetime. As you plan your journey to this enchanting destination, embrace the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana—harmony with God, nature, and fellow humans—and discover why Ubud remains the soul of Bali.
