Timeless design at the Alila Ubud
Luxury resorts only begin show their mettle after the first bloom of youth is gone. When the excitement settles and the property matures, the resorts that make the cut are those which still attract the beautiful people and top “must-stay” lists decades down the road. And so it is with the Alila Ubud which is well into the double digits and is still mentioned in the same breath as new upstarts in the places to check out in Ubud, Bali’s artful, creative and serene town.
Located amongst paddy fields and steep ravines in the central foothills of the Gianyar regency, Ubud is historically Bali’s cultural heart. Boasting a veritable treasure trove of landmarks, ranging from ancient temples to magnificent royal palaces, Ubud has been the base of artists and craftsmen for many decades.
Surrounded by an abundance of natural and cultural gifts, Alila Ubud was designed by renowned architect Kerry Hill, an influential practice in South-east Asian resort architecture over the past four decades. In homage to its context, the idyllic retreat is laid out as a Balinese hillside village complete with its own community centre and pedestrian lanes. Rooms and villas are perched overlooking the lush, verdant green of the Ayung River Valley. Kerry Hill’s deft command of abstract modernism overlaid with powerful yet superbly sensitive local cultural references distinguish this spectacular retreat. And even though the Alila Ubud is over 20 years old, you’d hardly know it since Hill’s designs avoid architectural trends.
Traditional Balinese design mix effortlessly with modern geometry in a form of architectural alchemy, blending seamlessly with the paradise-like greenery surrounding it. For ultimate exclusivity, the team from Kerry Hill developed eight Balinese villas, each carefully calibrated to feel completely open within yet reassuringly private from its neighbours. Appropriately named the Terrace Tree Villas, these 120 sqm suites each have a generous balcony to laze the day away and are crafted from the finest natural, local materials including recycled teak.
Easy tropical elegance and understated luxury characterise the interior design with romantic four poster beds, lantern lighting and a bathtub that floats above the valley. Villas were also designed to maximize wind flow and lure one’s gaze out onto the valley.
While it may be tempting to never stray from the superb comforts of the Tree Top Villas, one would be remiss to not take a short stroll to the Plantation restaurant for daily breakfast, where the menu changes daily according to what is freshest at the market.
A visit (or several) to the serene Alila Spa is also a must to experience the healing ministrations of expert therapists schooled in ancient Asian healing techniques. And of course, no stay at the Alila Ubud is complete without a mention of their award winning infinity pool – a slim rectangle of glistening water whose edges disappear into the terraced jungle hillside. There’s no other place quite like this unique resort where guests can enjoy that most precious of modern day luxuries – peace and quiet – a sanctuary created by design but has blossomed into an institution.
