Between frantic races to conquer crowded markets and visiting viral photo swing spots to checking out buzzing beach clubs, the modern journey to Bali, Indonesia, has long been treated as a tactical checklist. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. Tucked just 10 kilometres north of Ubud’s central hustle and bustle is where you’ll find Anantara Ubud Bali Resort, a 5-star haven for those seeking uninterrupted stillness amid the island’s sun-drenched coasts and breathtaking sights.
Set in the misty highlands of Payangan, this luxury resort is home to just 85 keys that cascade down a dramatic, emerald cliffside. For many travellers, checking into Anantara Bali becomes the golden opportunity of time travel as it’s likened to how Bali felt nearly 40 years ago. Bursting with rich cultural traditions and lush rainforests surrounding the resort, Anantara Bali’s carefully curated experiences invite guests to explore, unwind, and create lasting memories at their own pace.
Leaving the city noise behind
As the coastal roads thin out into the winding highland ridges of Payangan, the air cools, and the scenery turns into a deep, intense green. This is the first real sign that you’re leaving the typical tourist trail of Bali behind, with the long-awaited escape into Anantara Bali waiting ahead. Pulling up to the hotel’s lobby, you’ll be greeted with sights of the region’s famed stepped rice terraces and a traditional Balinese blessing ritual, complete with a refreshing welcome drink to mark your arrival in the tranquil rainforest.
It’s here that you’ll notice how the architecture isn’t built over nature’s landscape but rather that it bows to it. To reach your private villa, you’ll board a glass-walled inclinator that carves a dramatic path down the thick layer of tropical greenery, delivering you straight into the heart of the jungle canopy.
Inside the villa, the design is clean and understated with warm, wooden tones. As you turn the keys to your temporary home, you’ll step into a space where the massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the untamed wilderness, bringing the raw beauty of the valley right to your bedside. But rather than packing your day with activities aplenty, there’s no pressure to explore just yet. Instead, we recommend dropping your bags and enjoying your first afternoon out on the deck as you listen to the flowing waters from the Ayung River below.
Embracing the rhythm of the valley
Following a restful sleep from the night before, you’ll be ready to explore what Anantara Ubud and the island have in store for you. The day opens naturally, and whether you prefer to start with a sip of quiet coffee on your private deck or head down for a slow breakfast that overlooks the valley floor, there’s still no reason to rush while you’re here. Allowing your mood to dictate the schedule as you explore the resort grounds is also an option, with the main infinity pool curving right along the ridge’s edge being a big draw for many.
For a deeper layer of indulgence, experiencing Anantara Ubud’s wellness treatments is a must. Using traditional Balinese techniques and local ingredients, the vast spa menu is designed to release lingering tension, so you get to melt into the true luxury of relaxation. Alternatively, Anantara Ubud also offers a series of unique immersive tours, including visiting the nearby Taro Village or partaking in an ancient Vedic ritual that’s led by the High Priest Idha Guru Sri Empu in a traditional Balinese home.
Savouring the stillness as you return home
Waking up to the sun shining through your windows on your last morning, you’ll find that this day is all about stretching out your remaining hours of stillness. Should the weather play along, you’ll even be rewarded with a spectacular view of Mount Agung rising in the distance, its sharp peak silhouetted against the morning skies. Offering a dramatic contrast to the green valley below, it’s simply the best backdrop for your final breakfast.
There’s a distinct lack of checkout anxiety when you’re leaving Anantara Ubud, as guests who book with T’ROKA can also enjoy late checkout privileges, among its many VIP perks. As you board the inclinator to return to the cliff face for the last time, you’ll be carrying a completely different energy with you – one that gives you the space to realise that the stillness you’ve discovered at Anantara Ubud is something you can now take home.