Jalan Pura Gunung Sari 4, Banjar Ambengan, Ubud, Indonesia
Quiet and idyllic location, only a 15-minute walk from Ubud
Adult-only policy means plenty of quiet
Stylish, simple rooms with rice field and pool views
All room feature balconies and terraces with couch seating
Rooms include hardwood furniture, rainfall showers, and air-conditioning
An infinity pool overlooking the rice fields, surrounded by greenery
Boutique spa and salon and a small library with instruments
Free breakfast and daily afternoon tea with snacks and cakes
All-day return shuttle service within the Ubud area is free
Car and motorbike rentals, plus tour services are available
Free use of mountain bikes and free Wi-Fi throughout
Walk into town has uneven sidewalks and can be long in heat
Some rooms only have partial rice field views
Only the Telek Room has a TV
Children not allowed (a pro for many)
Villa Sibandari is an adult-only, three-and-a-half-pearl hotel that's a 15-minute walk from downtown Ubud. Views of nearby rice fields feature large, and are available from most rooms to the sleek infinity pool. The hotel's modern style tastefully combines with Balinese decor with contemporary elements, and the six rooms have features that can range from outdoor showers to stone outdoor soaking tubs. Free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning come standard, but there are no TVs in most. A great breakfast and afternoon tea are included, though the restaurant doesn't serve dinner. Additional facilities include a boutique spa, a small library, and free bikes. For a stylish option that's better for families, check out the KajaNe Mua Private Villa & mansion, which has slightly lower rates.
Scene
An intimate, modern hotel with a relaxed atmosphere and picturesque rice field views
The Villa Sabandari is an adult-only boutique hotel that features picturesque rice field views. Its quiet village setting carries over to the hotel, which is tranquil, in part due to the conspicuous absence of children. A nice breeze often blows in from the rice fields, helping to create a restorative atmosphere that makes this one of the more popular spots around Ubud. Atmospherics aside, the hotel also has a sharp modern style with a few artsy flourishes that help it stand out from its competitors. The lobby is a large, open gazebo containing a long wooden dining table and a comfy couch that face the rice fields. All rooms overlook the picturesque infinity pool, which is surrounded by rice fields and tropical greenery. Pools of water surround the spa, and the constant sound from the moving water is soothing. Given its strict no-kids policy, it's no surprise that the hotel is mostly frequented by adult couples and singles.
Location
In a quiet village, a 15-minute walk from downtown Ubud
Villa Sabandari is located in a quiet village on the outskirts of Ubud, a 15-minute walk or five-minute drive from downtown. There are a couple of popular local restaurants within a three-minute walk, including Manga Madu and Warung Mina, both serving Indonesian classics. Ubud is also well known for the yoga studios and health food restaurants, and Bali Buda -- a health food grocery store and restaurant -- is a 10-minute walk away, next door to a popular yoga and dance studio. Sights worth seeing in the area include the Ceking rice terraces (20-minute drive), the 11th-century Gunung Kawi temple (25-minute drive), and Mount Batur (80-minute drive). Kuta and the airport take up to 90 minutes to reach by car, depending on traffic.
Rooms
Stylish, contemporary rooms featuring private balconies and at least partial rice field views
Sabandari consists of six rooms, all with different decor and layouts, though adhering to a similar style. Expect to see an elegant blend of modern and traditional Balinese details, with pops of color like red, gold, or green. Accents are understated and stylish, including black-and-white photographs of Bali, hand-carved stone statues, and vases full of tropical flowers. Teak and suar wood furniture is rustic and handsome, and some -- like the Barong Room that we saw -- have funky gathered-wood art pieces above the beds. All rooms have views of the pool, and either full or partial views of the rice fields. Large glass windows and doors let in plenty of natural light. Floor plans are spacious, ranging from 430 to 540 square feet (40 to 50 square meters), and all feature balconies or terraces. Amenities include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, ceiling fans, kettles, minibars, fruit baskets, and safes. The Telek Room is the only room that contains a TV. Bathrooms have rainfall showers -- some of which are outdoor -- plus white limestone tiles and black granite vanities with porcelain sinks. Hairdryers, bathrobes, and slippers come standard. The Telek Room is the only room with a bathtub -- it's set outside in a private walled-off garden.
Features
An infinity pool, a boutique spa, a library, free breakfast and afternoon tea
Sabandari is a small hotel with only a few simple features. The hotel's infinity pool is a highlight and is surrounded by rice fields and greenery. The boutique spa and salon offer a wide range of treatments including massages, facials, waxing, and mani-pedis. Upon check-in, guests also receive a free 15-minute welcome massage. Books and magazines are available in the hotel library for those seeking alternative ways to kick back, and there's also a keyboard and classical guitar. Breakfast is included in the room rate and can be served in guest rooms or in the common spaces. The hotel also serves a free afternoon tea featuring homemade desserts and snacks. A two-way shuttle service is free within the Ubud area and the hotel can also arrange car and motorbike rentals as well as day tours. Free mountain bikes are available for guests, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.