Ubud Wana Resort

Unlike many of the intimate villa-style properties that line the valleys and road all around Ubud, the Ubud Wana Resort is much more of a standard hotel in layout and atmosphere. The open-air lobby is expansive, and there are multiple seating areas where guests can hang out and get drinks from the bar. Check-in takes place while seated at a wooden desk with a soaring roof overhead. The lobby floor, walkways, and alley walls are crafted of natural stone sourced from Sulawesi and West Java -- it all comes together to make a fine, rustic impression (even if rooms have a more polished, modern look to them than the common areas). The grounds are lovely, with lush gardens and tropical plants all around. The majority of the guests are couples, but families and small groups of friends also make their way here to take advantage of the peaceful location close to the Sacred Monkey Forest. 

This hotel is located in a residential area in the village of Nyuh Kuning, about a three-minute walk from the popular Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. It is also within walking distance of several cafes, small spas, and local shops. That being said, it's not right in the center of bustling Ubud, and guests can reach the middle of town in about 15 minutes by car or free hotel shuttle. The Ubud Palace, a must-see attraction, is about a 15-minute drive from the hotel. This artsy city has plenty of independent galleries to check out, as well as museums. The Agung Rai Museum is a five-minute drive from the hotel (or a 20-minute walk for those who don't mind the heat), while the Blanco Renaissance Museum will take about 20 minutes to reach by car. Ngurah Rai International Airport is a little over an hour's drive southwest of the hotel. 

The hotel offers 65 spacious rooms in a variety of categories that can accommodate couples to families. Decor is more modern than is found at many of the traditional resorts and rustic-chic properties throughout the area. Expect to see light marble tile floors, white walls, and simple furniture with clean lines. Handsome, curvilinear hardwood chairs or lounges add to the relaxed ambience, and the colorfully Indonesian batik wall panels above the beds add a subtle touch of local color. Hardwood half-panels create a bit of atmosphere, and large 40-inch flat-screen TVs are mounted on the wall. Other amenities include electric kettles for coffee or tea, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and safes. A free minibar is offered upon check-in (though refills aren't free) and there are free welcome baskets of fruit as well. Bathrooms are small, but have nicely tiled showers and come with hairdryers and toiletries. Glass doors lead to balconies or terraces with garden or pool views. Pool Access Rooms open directly onto the pool deck. Suites add more space and bathtubs. 

There are a number of features on offer at this resort, which makes sense as its larger than many in the area. Dining takes place at the open-air Wana Rasa Restaurant & Lounge, which serves all meals including the hotel's breakfast buffet (which gets mixed reviews). There's also a pool bar that serves snacks and drinks. The resort has three outdoor pools of varying depths to accommodate children, teens, and adults. The largest pool features a spa bed area with jets, and curvy cushioned lounge chairs line one side of the deck. The pool is surrounded by lush tropical greenery and trees on three sides and the two-story hotel on the other. The smaller second pool has just four lounge chairs poolside on the narrow deck, but several rooms overlooking this area have their own lounge chairs. The Ahara Spa offers two treatment rooms for massages, and manicures and pedicures are available as well. The on-site meeting room with natural light through large windows can accommodate up to 60 people. The hotel also runs a free shuttle to the center of town. Other activities include bike rentals, cooking classes, and making of Hindu religious offerings.