Anantara Ubud had us resetting our souls to factory settings. We left this wellness haven feeling completely rejuvenated after such a relaxing escape. (Images by Emma Mallaburn.)
TL;DR (but you should definitely keep reading)
Let’s get down to brass tacks—we spend such a huge portion of our adult lives taking part in the rat race, which is fair because there are bills to be paid. Still, after too many episodes of doom-scrolling and Netflix & rot, sometimes it’s necessary to throw your phone into airplane mode and escape. Enter Anantara Ubud Bali Resort, a sanctuary wrapped by Bali’s jungle; a serotonin boost in hotel form.
Nestled in Payangan (that’s the chill older sibling to touristy Ubud and the oldest village in Bali), this place isn’t just another luxury resort for your Instagram grid. It’s where your burnt-out millennial soul comes to remember what it feels like to actually breathe fresh air again.
Between unforgettable feasts that change your entire viewpoint on hotel food, spa treatments, and suites where the Wi-Fi works but you’ll mysteriously forget to check your email, Anantara Ubud has mastered the art of the reset we’re all desperately searching for. And yes, their infinity pools are exactly as dreamy as the pictures. Actually, scratch that—they’re even better in real life.
Getting there: The road less posted about
I’m not going to lie, Bali’s traffic and Ubud’s in particular almost had me pulling my hair out. What should have been a two-hour journey from the airport turned out to be way longer. The flight from Kuala Lumpur to Denpasar felt shorter. But eventually, the logistical chaos fades as our driver turns onto a winding jungle road that feels like entering another dimension. No more scooter symphonies and incessant beeping—just birds having full-on conversations and bamboo swaying like it’s at a slow-motion dance party. It was my first time in this part of Bali, and I had never stopped to notice that the island had a lot of beautiful and untouched greenery.
Here’s a tip: book the resort’s airport transfer. Sure, it will cost you more than a Grab would, but after the ride I had, future you will thank us for this advice. Plus, the driver hands you a cold towel infused with something that smells so good you’ll consider dabbing it behind your ears as perfume. There’s also light snacks, which myself and a friend completely devoured. And best of all, there’s Wi-Fi!
When you arrive, check-in isn’t the usual “passport and credit card” transaction. It’s more like being welcomed into someone’s really, really nice jungle home. They hand you rosella tea that’s the perfect shade of crimson (hello, antioxidants) while gazing out at a vista that will quite literally take your breath away. You’ll also be welcomed with a local Balinese ritual. Did I mention that there’s endless lush greenery as far as the eye can see?
The sleep situation: Where “do not disturb” becomes your mantra
The Premier Room and Forest View room are a dream; terrazzo bathtubs you could swim laps in (okay, we are kidding – don’t do that), natural fabrics in earth tones that somehow never show dirt, and balconies where the jungle soundtrack is better than your carefully curated Spotify playlist. The vibe here is living that indoor life but staying fully connected to the outdoors. You can literally spend a whole afternoon just existing on the balcony contemplating life.
If you’re celebrating something—a promotion, an anniversary, or just surviving another year of adulting—the Payangan Suites, which we stayed in, are worth the splurge. Each one comes with a private infinity pool that seems to float right into the jungle or rice fields. While they aren’t heated, it is a feature that’s nice to have, especially if you’re a water baby who can’t get enough of a quick dip when on vacation.
Along with my friend, we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to stay in such a luxe accommodation. With its own living and dining area, cute kitchenette, and inviting bedroom, relaxation was clearly not optional.
The design details are of Balinese and Hindu influence, subtle but intentional—handcrafted wooden panels with Javanese carving, lighting that flatters no matter the time of the day, and there’s a lot of natural light happening too.
With a small walk-in closet, a bathroom equipped with his and her sinks, and a massive bathtub (in case you haven’t relaxed enough throughout the day), getting ready for the day or dinner is such a delightful experience. Special mention? The turndown service. This little touch of service will have you feeling like royalty and completely alter your bedtime ritual.
Wellness that doesn’t feel like homework
Let’s talk about wellness without the side of guilt, shall we? The Anantara Spa floats between the trees like some kind of wellness treehouse, and the treatments are less about beauty and more about remembering you have a body that deserves nice things like a super, duper relaxing massage.
After two years of WFH posture and stress-clenching every one of our muscles, we splurged on massage treatments: Anantara Signature Massage and Taksu Massage. We had therapists work in synchronised motion that feels like some kind of healing choreography. My massage therapist gently mentioned that my shoulders “have been through a lot” (an understatement, for sure) before working out the knots.
The yoga shala faces east, which means sunrise sessions come with actual sunrise—not the Instagram filter version. There’s something deeply satisfying about doing your sun salutations while watching the actual sun appear, especially when your usual view is apartment buildings and the neighbour’s questionable choice in window treatments. Even if you’re not a yogi, such low-impact movement really starts the day right. But if you’re not a morning person, the resort also offers evening yoga sessions.
For those who need to sweat out last night’s cocktails, there’s a gym with Technogym equipment (fancy) and floor-to-ceiling windows so you can watch butterflies while you struggle through your burpees. But honestly, with miles of gardens and jungle paths to explore, treadmills seem beside the point. If that’s not fancy enough, fitness fiends will immediately gravitate towards the little corner in the gym offering protein balls and hydration of all sorts.
Food, because that’s a millennial’s entire personality
Anantara Ubud takes the concept several layers deeper with dining experiences that connect you to Bali’s agricultural soul. Let’s take you through each one:
Kirana: Breakfast worth setting an alarm for
I’m not typically a morning person, but because I have young kids, I am forced to be one, which means my body clock is set to an early rise. Being an early riser means there has to be an exceptional cup of Joe involved. At Kirana, there is. Single-origin Balinese coffee so good it makes you question every overpriced artisanal pour-over you’ve ever waited 15 minutes for back home.
I don’t want this to be a fake review that raves over how great everything is, and they are at this resort. However, if you’re a matcha latte fan, I feel compelled to let you know to omit ordering a cup here. And this is of no fault of the hotel staff, but I think it’s Bali as a whole.
Breakfast includes everything from classic Eggs Benedict (executed perfectly) to Indonesian nasi goreng, which is a must-try due to the way the rice is cooked. The selection here will ruin all other breakfast foods for you. The fruit platters look like edible art installations, and I especially loved the little honeycomb station.
Amerta: Not just a restaurant but an experience
Dinner at Amerta is a journey in itself and it’s one of those experiences I’ll never forget. For our time at the luxurious in-resort restaurant, we took a swig at their Degustation Menu. The Dry Aged Mahi-Mahi fish was a true star and had me actually close my eyes while eating, which I previously thought only happened in food commercials.
Their beef jus-glazed Grilled Token Wagyu Sirloin could make even the most devoted plant-eater consider a cheat day. And while everything on the seven-course menu is worth praising, it’s the Bread & Butter that is most memorable for us. Who knew butter when fused with local spinach could taste so good!
Sulang Bar: Day drinking for the adults
Sulang, the adults-only poolside bar, is where we got to spend one glorious afternoon confirming that yes, fresh coconut and lobster pasta are infinitely better when you’re staring at a jungle valley. Sulang’s sliders, which come in three variations is are soft, tangy, and rich, all in one bite.
Golden hour here is stunning. Order a cocktail around 5pm and watch the light do magical things to the valley while contemplating how to extend your stay without your boss noticing.
Immerse in the culture
As millennials who’ve seen enough Eat, Pray, Love criticism to know better, we want authentic cultural experiences without feeling like we’re commodifying someone else’s traditions. Anantara Ubud threads this needle surprisingly well. During our stay, we were able to experience the tradition of water purification at one of the oldest and most famous temples on the island, Mengening Temple. Located in the Saraseda Village, the temple offers ancient artefacts, sacred spring water sources, and a place where many come for spiritual healing.
The cooking classes aren’t just Instagram opportunities—they’re led by local chefs who share family recipes and explain the cultural significance behind ingredients. Learning to make jamu (traditional herbal tonics) from someone whose grandmother taught them the recipe hits different than following a YouTube tutorial.
There’s also canang sari (offering) making sessions, often in the afternoons, where one can sit cross-legged with other guests while learning the symbolism behind each component. The woman teaching had been making these offerings daily since childhood, and her patience will make learning super-easy for guests. For something less skill-required, you can join the Kampung Walk.
Time away from time
Yes, there’s Wi-Fi. Yes, it works perfectly. And yet, somehow, you’ll still find yourself forgetting to check Instagram for hours. It’s not that Anantara Ubud forces disconnection. It’s just that they make reconnecting with your surroundings so inviting that your screen time naturally plummets.
And let’s address the elephant in the jungle: Anantara Ubud isn’t budget accommodation. But as someone who normally agonises over spending an extra RM30 on a packet of blackberries, I can honestly say this place delivers value beyond the price tag, and especially so for a super special occasion.
You’re not just paying for luxury amenities (though those are plentiful). You’re investing in the kind of reset that no meditation app or weekend self-care can provide. This is deep restoration packaged in an experience that engages all your senses and reminds you that there’s more to life than deadlines, and the quiet can be deafening at first. But after a night or two, you’ll realise how much it is needed.
As we reluctantly packed our suitcases, I realised I was bringing home more than just the complimentary toiletries. I was taking back a version of myself that remembered how to notice things, how to taste food without distraction, and how to sit still.
And really, in our perpetually connected world, isn’t that the ultimate luxury?
My suggestion? Book at least four to five nights. The first two days, you’ll still be decompressing from real life and awful Bali traffic. By day three, you’ll finally surrender to Bali time, and that’s when the resetting of souls can truly begin.
Anantara Ubud Bali Resort
Address: No.88, Jalan Raya Puhu Payangan, Puhu, Kec. Payangan, Gianyar, Bali 80572, Indonesia
Phone: +62 361 201 7888
Email: [email protected]
