Anantara Ubud Bali Resort sits high in the Payangan forest, approximately 2.5 hours from the airport and 20 minutes from central Ubud, offering guests a remote mountainside sanctuary that feels worlds away from Bali’s more crowded destinations.
One of three Anantara properties in Bali, this exceptional resort welcomes visitors with a custom gong installation and exceptionally warm hospitality from predominantly local Balinese staff. The resort’s positioning provides access to an authentic version of the island, where guests can explore centuries-old traditions and spiritual practices through carefully curated experiences that venture far beyond typical resort activities.
Jungle-integrated accommodation at Anantara Ubud Bali
The property features 85 suites and villas seamlessly integrated into the jungle mountainside, with interiors that blend Hindu and Balinese influences alongside Javanese wood carvings and local artworks. Suites occupy the top floor of the main building and include deep soaking tubs with canopy views, while villas offer enhanced privacy and space across generous floor plans exceeding 1,000 square feet.
Each villa includes its own infinity pool overlooking the jungle, creating perfect settings for early morning swims accompanied by bird song and the fragrant scent of frangipani. Two-bedroom villas accommodate families, though guests with mobility concerns might prefer villas closer to the main pool area, as the resort design sprawls down the mountainside. A cable car currently under construction will soon assist movement between different levels of the property.
The resort offers two jungle-fringed infinity pools – one dedicated to adults seeking tranquillity and another designed for family enjoyment. Daily activities include morning yoga sessions and wellness rituals that encourage mindfulness and rejuvenation within the natural forest setting.
Exceptional dining experiences
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Executive chef James Willis oversees the culinary programme at Anantara Ubud Bali Resort, which centres around two main restaurants that showcase both local and international flavours. Amerta operates as the formal dinner-only venue, earning recognition for thoughtful dishes such as Balinese ceviche and an impressive wagyu tasting menu that highlights the chef’s technical skills.
Kirana serves as the all-day dining outlet, specialising in outstanding Indonesian cuisine including expertly prepared gado gado, excellent rendang, and traditional nasi goreng. The restaurant introduces guests to local specialities like babi guling pork and curried chicken martabak, while also offering global cuisine options including pasta, burgers, and pizza for those seeking familiar flavours.
Daily breakfast at Kirana features exceptional pastries alongside local staples, served on the outdoor terrace overlooking the treetops. The upper-level lobby bar provides an expansive outdoor terrace that serves as an ideal spot for sunset cocktails, particularly negronis and martinis enjoyed against the backdrop of the surrounding forest.
Immersive cultural and spiritual programmes
What distinguishes Anantara Ubud Bali Resort from other luxury properties are the extensive off-property experiences that reveal Bali’s spiritual essence. Made Warnata, a local staff member known as “the Bali whisperer,” facilitates these unique opportunities through lifelong partnerships with temples and villages throughout the region.
Guests can participate in hours-long fire purification rituals and personalised spiritual enlightenment sessions with High Priest Sri Empu at his temple in the remote Bukain village. The resort arranges immersive visits to rarely-visited water temples, including the World Heritage-protected Pura Mengening, offering private and authentic experiences away from crowded tourist sites.
Additional programmes include sessions with blind healers and guided walks through the Payangan forest and rice paddies, including visits to Taro village where guests learn about indigenous flora and traditional cultural practices. These experiences provide genuine insight into Balinese spirituality and agricultural traditions that have remained unchanged for generations.
Wellness and local immersion packages
The dedicated spa wing features numerous treatment rooms and a relaxation space with jungle views, offering locally inspired treatments including indigenous Balinese therapies. The award-winning Anantara Spa provides traditional treatments such as the Mepijet, the Siraman Journey, Royal Javanese Lulur Ritual, and Payangan Serenity, each designed to incorporate local healing traditions.
The ‘A Local Immersion’ package requires a minimum three-night stay and specifically targets guests seeking deeper connections with Bali through nature, culture, and sensory experiences. The package includes choice between the Alas Taro Exploration – a jeep ride through quiet villages and emerald rice fields culminating in a forest walk near Taro village – or the Secret Waterfall Trek, an off-the-beaten-path adventure to a hidden cascade with guides highlighting medicinal plants and exotic wildlife.
In-house cultural experiences include a Gebogan Offering Workshop teaching the sacred art of floral offerings, or Balinese wine tastings showcasing local varieties. The package includes daily breakfast at Kirana and leisurely afternoon teas, with rates starting at USD 573++ per room per night.
Beyond organised programmes, guests can explore the Sacred Monkey Forest, the iconic Tegallalang Rice Terraces, or venture into Ubud’s town centre for handcrafted goods and local art, all easily accessible from the resort’s strategic location.
