Banjar Tanggayuda, Kedewatan, Indonesia
Remote natural location within a 20-minute drive of downtown Ubud
Three swimming pools with amazing views, and sun loungers
Spacious rooms with patios, living space, and huge bathrooms
Rooms have flat-screen TVs with Apple TV, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and air-conditioning
On-site restaurant; 24-hour room service; afternoon tea
Full-service spa with a variety of treatments, salon, and hot tub
Fitness center with cardio and weights; yoga room
Library/business center with two computers and a printer
Free use of facilities at other Komaneka resorts; free area shuttle
Wi-Fi connection can be slow and spotty
No pets allowed (a pro for some)
The most remote of the Komaneka properties in Ubud, the upper-middle-range Komaneka at Tanggayuda sits in a lush jungle area on the Oos River, about a 20-minute drive to town. It's basically a compound of individual suites and villas -- all rooms are spacious and have patios. All 35 guest rooms come with flat-screen TVs with free Apple TV, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and air-conditioning; bathrooms have deep soaking tubs, separate rainfall showers, and double sinks. Robes and slippers, fruit baskets, and frequently replenished cookie jars are thoughtful touches. There are three swimming pools, a small fitness center with a yoga room, and a full-service spa. Afternoon tea, included in the room rate, is another nice perk. The alfresco restaurant offers stunning views of the surroundings and the Batukaru volcano, along with 24-hour room service. Guests can use the facilities at other Komaneka resorts in the area; the hotel provides free shuttle service to these properties as well as to town. The grounds at Tanggayuda are well-maintained but extensive, and getting around the property can be a bit of a trek, which might pose a challenge to travelers with limited mobility. Travelers wanting a less remote location could try the Komaneka at Bisma.
Scene
Secluded, welcoming, and scenic
The most remote Komaneka property, Tanggayuda makes the most of its natural surroundings but doesn't stint when it comes to providing a luxurious experience. The entrance is an unassuming circular drive off a small brick road, which gives no indication of the lush grounds beyond. The lobby and check-in area are open-air and simple, with a cheery yellow hue. Marble floors and a few wooden benches and chairs are pretty much the extent of the lobby furnishings. Inside the property are wooden hallways and stone paths with hanging vines. The glass elevator allows for views even while changing floors. Families and couples, including honeymooners, seem to favor this property.
Location
Remote location, about a 20-minute drive from central Ubud
Surrounded by jungle and overlooking the Oos River, this Komaneka property is located at Tanggayuda in Kedewatan village -- a local Balinese housing area. It's a bit of a drive to the main action -- at least a 15-minute drive to Ubud. But the hotel operates a free shuttle that takes guests to town or to other Komaneka resorts. The Gaya Art Space is within a 10-minute drive of the Tanggayuda property, and the Neka Art Museum, the Blanco Museum, and the Puri Lukisan Museum are all within a 15- to 20-minute drive.
Rooms
Spacious rooms with patios, free Wi-Fi, and Apple TV
On arrival, guests will find such thoughtful touches as welcome drinks (pineapple or carrot juice), fruit baskets, and stocked cookie jars (replenished daily) in their rooms, which range from Suites to two-bedroom Pool Villas. All have patios and extra living spaces. Floor-to-ceiling windows and high wooden ceilings add to the airiness, and lots of wood furnishings enhance the feeling of being in nature, while rich tapestry coverlets and bright art pieces bring jolts of color.
Beds have billowy white canopies and wooden platforms and headboards. Plush robes and slippers as well as nightgowns are left out for guests at turndown. Rooms also come with free Wi-Fi (though the signal can be shaky), DVD players, and flat-screen TVs with free Apple TV.
Bathrooms have deep soaking tubs, separate rainfall showers, and double sinks; some rooms have indoor-outdoor bathrooms with hand-carved volcanic stone baths.
Views vary among the rooms, but the outdoor access allows for the tropical feel to permeate regardless of the jungle vantage point. The Premiere Valley Pool villas on higher floors have their own infinity pools.
Features
Authentic restaurant, afternoon tea, three swimming pools, full-service spa, and fitness center
The Batukaru Restaurant -- located in the hotel's new east wing and named for the nearby volcano that it looks out on -- offers alfresco fine dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The cuisine is traditional Balinese and Indonesian, and features such signature dishes as Pepes Ikan (spiced fish grilled in banana leaves) and Iga Babi (grilled pork ribs in Balinese spices). Signature cocktails include Passion Fruit Crush and Gin Ginger. The Full Moon Dinner -- a special event -- includes traditional Balinese dance performances. Afternoon tea is included in the room rate, and may be taken at the Terrace Cafe or the Batukaru Lounge, both of which are open-air and offer jungle views. Room service is available 24 hours.
The full-service Komaneka Spa -- a two-story building with multiple rooms and a tranquil vibe -- is a stand-out feature here. It offers a variety of therapies, including aromatherapy oil massages, and body treatments using lulur -- a Javanese body scrub made of rice and spices that used to be a royal secret at the Ubud Palace. Offering indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, the spa also has a hot tub overlooking a tranquil fountain. There is a salon as well, and yoga classes are offered in the airy yoga room.
The fitness center, with only a few cardio machines and free weights, is open and bright with floor-to-ceiling windows and inspiring views beyond. It also has a pool, which, though supposedly heated, it's a bit on the cold side. The terrace infinity pool seems to extend right into the lush foliage beyond, and the green hue helps it blend in with the natural elements. A sweeping stone staircase, a covered lounge area, and a deck -- lined with sun loungers and umbrellas -- surround the pool making it a great place to hang out. The Batukaru infinity pool has tons of wooden deck space and views of the jungle and volcano beyond.
There's a lovely library with two computers and a printer, as well as lots of reading material and couches, and yes, inspiring views.
The Komaneka at Tanggayuda also offers cooking lessons, where guests can learn how to make traditional Indonesian dishes in a specially constructed Balinese kitchen.