Blanketed well within the forest-draped foothills of Bali’s mist-cloaked mountains, where banyan trees stand sentinel over ancient temples and rice terraces cascade into the distance, Ubud pulses as a crossroads of spiritual and cultural life. Named after the Balinese word ubad (medicine), the town speaks to its purpose as an esoteric destination, nurturing the body, mind and soul. What gives the town its distinctive character is the open-hearted nature of its locals, whose cultural practices have been treasured and preserved for generations—from tending rice paddies and sacred spaces to partaking in seasonal rites and ceremonial performances.
Deep in the northern reaches of Ubud, lodged in the idyllic hillside village of Banjar Puhu in Payangan, is Anantara’s newly opened resort that overlooks a tropical rainforest, framed by fertile grounds and an untamed terrain. Before setting foot on the property, threading through the canopy-shaded winding trails to this summit escape is itself an experience, as each turn takes you farther away from Bali’s familiar tropes, such as the crowded streets, sprawling coastlines and occupied beachfronts. Unlike its Uluwatu counterpart, the Anantara Ubud Bali Resort is endowed with an absolute solitude that deeply anchors you to nature’s peace and the unfiltered essence of this upland region.
The resort’s architecture is a modern take on Indonesian style, drawing on Hindu and Javanese influences using natural materials. Wooden lattices, stone reliefs and water features are integrated throughout the property, while decorative motifs such as figurines and batik fabrics are reimagined in contemporary forms—all intentionally crafted to reflect the symbolic qualities of Ubud. At the front lobby, the sounds of Balinese gamelan (traditional Indonesian orchestra) emanate from a specially designed kinetic sculpture by conceptual artist Aaron Taylor Kuffner, which serves as one of the first cultural touchpoints upon guest arrival.
From the heights, the sweeping landscape is visually hypnotic. “One of the most magical moments at our resort is at sunrise, when you can witness the sky’s vibrant colours and enjoy an unobstructed, magnificent view of the famous three mountains—Mount Agung, Mount Abang and Mount Batur—all majestically aligned as you stand on our lobby deck,” says Christian Gerart, general manager of Anantara Ubud Bali Resort. Among the many open-air viewpoints, the heated infinity pool adjacent to the Sulang al fresco bar is arguably the crown jewel, offering staggering views of the misty valley below.
Ubud and its surrounding areas are home to a wealth of region-specific ingredients that the in-house chefs purposefully infuse into the dishes, bringing authenticity to the table. Vegetables such as winged beans and long beans are staples in specialties like urap (vegetable salad) and gado-gado (mixed vegetables in peanut sauce), while rich pastes rely on a myriad of local herbs and spices, including elephant ginger, candlenuts and fenugreek seeds. Chef James Willis embraces this farm-to-table approach at Amerta, the resort’s Mediterranean-inspired fine-dining restaurant. The open-kitchen concept allows a front-row view of the culinary team in action, where fresh produce and catches come together in a curated degustation menu, with recipes like citrus cured red snapper, dry aged mahi mahi, and grilled tokusen wagyu sirloin.
Much like the panoramic upland, the villas open directly onto their own infinity pools that peer over the jungle, where early dips are enveloped in crisp air, bird whistles and frangipani breezes, almost as if you’re perched ‘on top of the world’. A funicular (referred to as an inclinator here) is stationed near the villa terraces for easy travel between floors. Mind-body wellness is integral to the Anantara brand, and the spa here is housed in a separate wing away from the main facilities, where the island’s bedrock is heavily embedded in every healing therapy and native extracts such as crystal chakra balancing, traditional Balinese boreh scrub, and taksu massage (transference of energy).
With a calendar of special days year-round, Nyepi (Day of Silence) represents a monumental day for the resort. This sacred day celebrates the Balinese New Year and is set aside for silence, self-reflection and renewal. The entire island comes to a complete standstill, with no lights, no noise and no travel. Guests are encouraged to unwind completely, as outdoor activities, including check-ins and check-outs, are temporarily halted, and sounds are kept to a low volume. “It’s an opportunity for our guests to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with oneself in an environment of total peace,” Gerart recommends.
Although the resort serves as a restful refuge, no first-time guests should miss the chance to venture beyond its peaceful gates, as the cultural depth has much more to offer than meets the eye. The Alas Taro Exploration is one of the best ways to uncover Ubud’s living history. Guided by the resident naturalist, the tour extends an enriching look at the neighbourhood, agricultural roots and cultural heritage through an exhilarating Mini Jeep ride, passing through rustic villages and paddy lands. On the spiritual front, the Agni Yajna ritual, conducted in front of a sacred fire, is a deeply memorable experience that lingers long after. The revered high priest Idha Guru ignites this ritual with a purification ceremony, casting offerings into the consecrated flames, and heartfelt prayers.
“One of the most special hidden gems lies just beyond our grounds,” Gerart says. “Untouched by crowds, this unnamed waterfall nearby offers a rare chance to connect with nature in complete privacy. We encourage our guests to keep this location confidential and refrain from sharing it on social media because we want to preserve its peaceful enchantment. It’s about experiencing a moment of stillness and taking in the raw beauty of Bali.”
