Capella Ubud Resort Evaluate

Capella Ubud was constructed with out slicing down any timber.

Once I discovered this, I paused to absorb my environment, noticing how every tented construction throughout the property was seamlessly built-in with native tropical flowers and hovering palm timber that fashioned a powerful cover overhead. I used to be utterly in awe of how such harmonious integration was potential.

Tucked away within the lush rainforests of Bali, Capella Ubud is an opulent sanctuary that immerses friends within the island’s beautiful pure magnificence and wealthy cultural heritage. Legendary architect Invoice Bensley created this spectacular tented camp with out disrupting the land’s lush pure panorama.

Capella Ubud has been featured in Journey + Leisure’s annual World’s Finest Awards for a number of years. It was acknowledged because the finest resort on this planet by T+L readers in 2020 and is 2024’s prime resort in Indonesia. Capella was additionally named the prime resort model on this planet in 2023 and 2024. Evidently, my expectations had been excessive.

Upon my arrival, I used to be embraced by the soothing sounds of nature and greeted with a standard blessing of holy water and a sprinkle of rice on my brow, which symbolizes prosperity and well-being. Then I launched into a melukat, a water ritual aimed to cleanse the physique and spirit, a part of the model’s Capella Curates program.

Wearing Balinese apparel supplied by the resort, I used to be guided by a camp ranger alongside a rocky pathway to the Sacred Wos River Temple, the place we ready choices for the gods and recited mantras to launch detrimental vitality. Then, we submerged in an historical spring of holy water.

Wellness and journey stand out right here by a wide range of actions that encourage friends to have interaction with Balinese tradition — from guided jungle treks and rice paddy walks to cooking courses and yoga periods. The culinary choices are equally spectacular, with on-site eating choices that showcase vibrant native flavors and elements.

The property options 22 luxurious one-bedroom villas and one two-bedroom lodge, every with its personal personal saltwater pool, spacious out of doors deck, impeccably designed interiors, and sprawling views of the Keliki Valley. These tented retreats mix the pure great thing about the Balinese jungle with fashionable facilities.

Learn on for my evaluation of Capella Ubud and uncover what awaits at this distinctive sanctuary in Bali.

The Rooms

Nestled throughout the forests, the tented villas are uniquely styled to replicate the talents of European settlers from the early 1800s, corresponding to tradesmen, explorers, and artists. Trendy conveniences embody air-conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, a complimentary smartphone (with knowledge included), a stocked refreshment trunk, and an Illy espresso machine.

In my not-so-humble abode, referred to as the Horn Collector’s Tent, I crossed a suspension bridge that led to an expansive wood deck with a suspended saltwater pool, a big daybed, and two extra lounging areas.

The sun-drenched suite was embellished with wealthy textiles and an array of horn ornaments and different Balinese devices. It additionally displayed a lavish refreshment trunk, coated in plush brown-and-white rawhide and stocked with premium drinks, which far exceeded a typical minibar. A complimentary carafe of spiced rum, recent tropical fruits, and specialty cookies provided a welcome deal with as I made myself at dwelling.

My toilet was downright opulent with a hammered copper soaking tub, an out of doors bathe sanctuary, a double washbasin vainness, and probably the most elaborately designed bathroom throne I’ve ever seen. And let’s not neglect the cleaning soap menu: your alternative of handcrafted natural soaps made with Balinese botanicals and fragrances, corresponding to bamboo blossom, citrus lily, chocolate-orange, and low.

Within the night, I regarded ahead to turndown service — a soothing foot tub (heat water infused with important oils and Frangipani flowers), accompanied by natural tea and cookies — earlier than cozying up in my heavenly king-size cover mattress.

Meals and Drink

Impressed by the Sanskrit phrase that means “fireplace to the soul,” Api Jiwa is an open-air restaurant. With one nightly seating at 7 p.m., friends can savor an revolutionary, 10-course omakase-style menu highlighting the best elements from throughout Bali. Central to the expertise, an open kitchen invitations diners to witness the culinary artistry unfold. The encircling Chef’s Desk gives a first-rate view of the motion, making a vigorous and interactive setting between the cooks and friends.

One other terrific possibility is Mads Lange, a split-level tented eating room overlooking the property’s immaculate grounds and industrial-style pool. The a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus characteristic worldwide dishes boasting seasonal flavors, hand-harvested greens, spices, and herbs from close by farms, and the freshest regional seafood.

Morning espresso, afternoon tea, and night cocktails and canapés are served within the Officers Tent, a handsomely embellished front room and social house with board video games, a group of books, and antiques from a bygone period. Gentle bites and Bali-inspired cocktails will be loved on the poolside Mortar & Pestle Bar or from the consolation of a lounge chair. For the final word indulgence, begin your day with an extravagant floating breakfast in your individual personal pool.

Experiences and Facilities

The Capella Curates program contains native culinary exploration, a design and structure tour of Ubud, and artwork workshops. And don’t miss the night underneath the celebrities programming (climate allowing); it is a film or dwell storytelling hosted round a campfire, full with sizzling chocolate and toasted marshmallows.

Take a dip within the heated out of doors Cistern pool, which is almost 70 ft lengthy, has a singular zigzag design, and options a number of high-power aqua jets. Better of all, this show-stopping pool and its adjoining sundeck provide magnificent panoramic views.

If trekking across the property’s sloping terrain is not sufficient of a exercise, the state-of-the-art health middle is open 24 hours a day and has a weekly schedule of courses starting from aerial yoga to bootcamp. Into out of doors adventures? Attempt mountain biking, jungle hikes, or different guided actions.

The Spa

When looking for tranquility and rest throughout your keep, Auriga Wellness has you coated. Right here, conventional Balinese therapies incorporate native elements and luxe natural merchandise made completely for Capella Ubud.

Company can get pampered in spacious spa therapy rooms or go for serenity of their personal villa. I completely loved the Full Moon Therapeutic massage, a rejuvenating signature therapy that channeled the calming vitality of the moon.

Household-friendly Choices

Households can take inventive cooking courses to learn to make Balinese dishes collectively, and take part in guided nature walks, arts and crafts, and enjoyable instructional applications particularly designed for teenagers. Moreover, the concierge can set up personalized excursions to close by points of interest, cultural experiences, and eco-adventures which can be appropriate for youngsters. That stated, the resort does not suggest bringing youngsters youthful than six years outdated due to the resort’s steep and sloping terrain.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Capella Ubud is not a match for vacationers with mobility challenges due to the resort’s terrain. Although the villas weren’t designed primarily based on ADA necessities, the workers is extremely accommodating and their concentrate on visitor consolation is obvious. Strolling sticks are additionally out there to be used across the property.

Moreover, the resort has carried out practices that decrease its environmental footprint, together with defending each tree on its 9 acres of land.

Location

Many prime points of interest in Ubud — the enduring Tegalalang rice terraces, the Sacred Monkey Forest, and fashionable artwork markets — are only a brief drive from the resort. Plus, the Ngurah Rai Worldwide Airport is about an hour-and-a-half drive away. Transfers will be organized by the resort.

Though a automobile gives flexibility for exploring, Capella gives guided excursions and actions that allow guests to expertise the sights and interact within the native tradition while not having a automobile.

In the event you’re savvy on two wheels, renting a motorbike or a scooter is a well-liked technique to get round. You may simply ebook a scooter or taxi journey by Bali’s fashionable ride-sharing apps, Gojek and Seize.

The best way to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Whereas staying at this distinctive property could include a better price ticket, maintain an eye fixed out for particular gives corresponding to multi-night reductions.

Company can be a part of the Capella Discovery loyalty program to earn factors on eligible purchases, receiving a proportion again (usually 4% to 7%) that may be redeemed for eating, room upgrades, spa remedies, or utilized to your remaining invoice upon check-out.

Moreover, the property is a part of American Categorical Journey’s High quality Accommodations & Resorts, which gives wonderful advantages like early check-in and late check-out, room upgrades upon arrival (when out there), day by day breakfast for 2, and a property credit score for Platinum cardmembers. Cardholders pays with factors to ebook their keep, too.