Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Indonesia
Peaceful and
particularly well-tended tropical gardens
Located in
bustling Ubud center a short walk from Monkey Forest
Free breakfast at Garden Terrace restaurant on-site
Good-size
swimming pool with sun loungers
Rooms open to
nicely furnished verandas
Private villas
have a private pool and sunken marble tub
Attractive spa with wide
range of massages and a hot tub
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Art exhibition space on-site
Uninspiring
restaurant
Room decor a little bland
The 14-room Komaneka at Monkey Forest is an upscale, boutique resort set in tranquil gardens just off one of central Ubud's busiest roads. While not actually at Monkey Forest, the temple complex sanctuary is a short walk away, as are most of the town attractions in Ubud. Rooms are clean and modern, if a little uninspiring decor-wise, with good technology and well-furnished verandas; villas have private pools. A decent spa and good-size pool complete what is a top-notch hotel at relatively reasonable rates. Despite its bustling central location there's a real sense of peaceful seclusion found here that's usually reserved for properties further out of Ubud.
Scene
Arty upscale chain resort set in tidy tropical gardens
While the approach to the Komaneka at Monkey Forest resort isn't the most impressive, the spacious thatch-roofed lobby is a stylish and nicely presented area to check-in and enjoy a cooling towel and refreshing welcome drink. The complex is set in lush and particularly well-manicured tropical gardens with tidy lawns lined with clusters of bamboo, colorful exotic flowers, and banana and passion fruit plants. The oldest of the Komaneka chain properties, it started as an art gallery in 1998 and the hotel is still full of attractive paintings and sculptures as well as having a permanent exhibition space. The resort has a chilled out boutique vibe with -- despite its bustling central location -- a real sense of peaceful seclusion usually reserved for properties further out of town.
Location
Tranquil oasis in the center of bustling Ubud a short walk from Monkey Forest
The hotel is located on Ubud's Wenara Wana road, one of the town's busiest and full of shops, restaurants, and other hotels. While not actually at Monkey Forest, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary -- a temple complex full of monkeys and one of Ubud's main tourist attractions -- is a short 10-minute walk away. Getting to the hotel by road from Bali's capital, Denpasar, takes about 45 minutes by car while its Ngurah Rai International Airport is 25 miles away, or around an hour's drive.
Rooms
Spacious suites with well-furnished verandas and impressive in-room entertainment
The hotel has 14 air-conditioned suites housed in two-story modern blocks with views over a pretty field from well-furnished terraces. Decor is clean and simple, if a little plain compared to similar properties, with polished stone floors and contemporary furnishings. In-room amenities are impressive, with minibars, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with Apple TV and DVD players. Modern bathrooms have twin basins, free bottled water, and robes and slippers. Most rooms also have free-standing bathtubs as well as spacious walk-in showers.
Features
Chic swimming pool and attractive spa area with sunken hot tub
Breakfast is included in the rate and served in the Garden Terrace restaurant, which also has reasonably priced lunch and dinner menus, though the food is uninspired. Drinks and meals can also be taken in a small seating area by the main swimming pool, which is long enough for laps and lined with a handful of loungers. The spa is particularly pleasant with an attractive upstairs lounge, impressive range of massage treatments, and a sunken hot tub. An on-site art gallery houses a good collection of modern and traditional art from local and international artists. Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the property -- not always a given in similar hotels.