Set beside the River Ayung, the resort has just 19 villas, some dotted on a hillside, others along the river, all sleek in design, all with butler service and private pools. The main swimming pool is a lovely place to while away an afternoon under palm trees. The spa and main restaurant are both riverside, with splendidly soothing views.
The Samaya Ubud feels far away from it all, despite its proximity to Ubud, Bali’s thriving cultural centre. It sits pretty by the River Ayung, surrounded by that quintessential Baliscape of rice terraces and verdant tropical foliage. The resort itself is pretty too, with 19 villas discreetly dotted on hill slopes or alongside the river. These are contemporary in style, with clean design lines and every modern convenience. Most convenient of all, each comes with a private pool and a private butler too.
Breakfast can served right until lunchtime in the privacy of your villa. Any meal can be served in the villas on request, but the hotel restaurants are lovely places to linger in too. Scene is the place for evening cocktails, but also serves breakfast, both delightful against the backdrop of rice terraces beyond.
The main restaurant, Swept Away, is right by the riverside, open to gentle breezes. It’s a great place for late afternoon Asian- style tapas, or a pre-dinner drink before sampling specialities such as bebek betutu – slow roasted duck, Balinese style, or settling down to a six course tasting menu, with perhaps seared scallops or Wagyu short ribs served with tempura lobster.
For a truly special experience, ask for the 100 Candle Dinner, served on the bank of the river in some serious candlelight. There are pleasures to explore slightly further away from Samaya Ubud too, ancient temples, markets selling local crafts, white water rafting along the river, forays into bohemian Ubud, making it a perfect base from which to explore the local treasures.
