Jl. Tirta Tawar, Br. Abangan, Ubud, Indonesia
Chic,
well-presented resort set in tropical gardens
Two swimming
pools -- one with Balinese water fountains
Fresh and
contemporary rooms with traditional touches
Lovely bathrooms
finished in polished and rough stone
Restaurant with free
breakfast and stunning sunset views
Free shuttle to Ubud
All-natural spa
and spacious yoga pavilion
Free Wi-Fi
Relatively remote
location
The 28-room Puri Sunia Resort is a well-presented, upper-mid-range property with a tasteful blend of traditional Balinese charm and chic, modern touches. The location can feel a little remote from the Ubud tourist center, though this also adds to the peaceful atmosphere. There are two serene outdoor pools, a spa, and a spacious yoga pavilion on-site. Rooms are fresh and pleasant, with particularly nice bathrooms (and big soaking tubs) while villas include private plunge pools. Those looking for fast access to Ubud's center should look elsewhere, but this friendly, charming, and reasonably priced resort is certainly worth a look.
Scene
Chic, well-presented, and peaceful resort with particularly warm welcome
At Puri Sunia Resort, visitors arrive at an unassuming courtyard decked in a tidy grid of flagstones enclosed by typically verdant vegetation. Entering through what feels like the entrance to an ancient temple, stone steps lead to a chic and minimalist space with rustic touches and rough-hewn wood furnishings. New guests are greeted with friendliness and warmth before being shown around the complex -- a particularly pleasant and well-tended blend of tropical flora, fountain ponds, and stone Hindu statues. Opened in 2011 and one of the newer such resorts, the lovely Balinese architecture and expansive grounds still look relatively fresh -- unlike many that can feel rundown by the harsh tropical conditions -- while Puri Sunia, meaning "quiet palace," more than lives up to its name.
Location
Semi-remote setting close to picturesque villages and 15 minutes from Ubud
The resort is one of the more remote of its kind, located about a 15-minute drive from Ubud up small, windy roads through rice fields and Balinese villages. The local villages of Abangan and Kokokan are particularly charming and known for being the nesting place of thousands of white herons. Besides pretty walks, there's not much in the way of tourist attractions within walking distance, though a free shuttle service ferries tourists to the bustling Ubud center. Bali's main Ngurah Rai International Airport is around 25 miles away, or just over an hour's drive, while Denpasar city center is around 45 minutes by car.
Rooms
Fresh, clean, and contemporary rooms with traditional Balinese charm
The hotel has 24 rooms and four villas, all of which are decorated with traditional Balinese charm -- hand-woven fabrics, natural bamboo, and rustic unpainted furnishings -- while also looking fresh, clean, and contemporary. Bathrooms are nicely finished in polished and rough-cut stone, and feature large tubs, and walk-in rainfall showers. All rooms open to furnished terraces -- some overlooking rice fields. Free Wi-Fi, mosquito netting, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels all come as standard, while the villas include gardens with private plunge pools and outdoor dining areas -- though bugs are inevitable.
Features
Two swimming pools, all natural spa treatments, and a yoga center
The resort has two swimming pools, the main one set in a shady secluded garden with five Balinese water fountains and the other with views over grass thatched roofs -- both lined with loungers and in supremely relaxing spots. The Aura Spa has an emphasis on massage and beauty treatments using all natural ingredients (and also offers guests a 15-minute free foot massage) while the adjoining yoga center occupies a thatched pavilion overlooking the gardens. Wi-Fi is free throughout. The hotel's Abangan Restaurant provides a free breakfast, as well as a lunch and dinner menu of traditional Balinese and international dishes and a great spot to watch the stunning sunsets.