The Samaya Ubud

My hill top villa was insanely beautiful. Putis the manager and the entire team where outstanding, Felt like a queen. The only thing i would say is that the food could be better. A part from that everything was perfect. Excellent breakfast. Views are amazing.

Our second post Covid19 visit, but fifteenth return visit, yet again did not disappoint. In fact, can it really get any better? Continuing under the management of Putu Mahendra Putra, and his wonderful Team, this exceptional resort continues to deliver quality in all areas during our 10 day visit. His team of staff from Reception, Spa, Restaurant and Butler service continue to provide thoughtful service, already anticipating our preferences when we arrive! We returned to one of the Hillside View villas which have now been renovated. The villa gardens grow rapidly but are so well maintained and provide a visual and sound camouflage, which gives the impression there are no other guests about. The beautiful views of rice fields and mountains from the villas and other locations on the property are very magical. The extensive breakfast menu, taken either in the villas or overlooking the magnificent view, is varied and caters to Indonesian or European taste. The Spa experience is also exceptional - environmentally sustainable products are used and treatments are delivered with quiet professionalism. The staff continue to promote their beautiful Balinese culture through dress, food and demeanour. This was also our first stay during the yearly event of the silent day - Nyepi. To really have an incredible cultural experience, it is not to be missed. Late in the night we were accompanied by some of the Staff through surrounding villages, following the processions of the many Oguh Oguhs - statues of monsters, created in each village to herald in a new year and free it of all that is bad from the previous year. This was a highlight.

This was our 2nd stay at the Samaya Ubud, having previously stayed there in 2018. This time we were staying in a Hillside Villa. All of the villas at the Samaya are very similar in size and layout and the main difference is the location in the complex, which is spread across the steep hillside. Main reception and the restaurant serving breakfast is at the top of the resort, while the restaurant for lunch and dinner is located at the bottom of the hill by the riverside. Transport around the complex is provided to guests on golf buggies, although most of the time we chose to walk!! The villa itself was well equipped and immaculately clean. Each villa has a pool and garden seating area, very tranquil and private. The breakfast choice was excellent and provided ala carte. All of the food was of a good quality and beautifully presented. All enjoyed with a stunning view across the countryside of rice fields and mountains. We ate one evening in Swept Away, the hotels main restaurant and the food was also fantastic, the best we had on our 2 week trip in Bali. Guests are also offered complimentary daily afternoon tea at Swept Away. The hotel provides free transport between the hotel and the centre of Ubud Town. This is provides to a timetable and needs to be booked in advance. If you need to go in at different times the hotel will provide this for a nominal charge. Since we visited 5 years ago, the traffic in the town centre seems to have got a lot busier so the previous 10 minute journey can take 20 or 30 minutes subject to the time of day! The hotel offers a number of complimentary activities and we took the opportunity to do the local trekking accompanied by a guide from the hotel. This involves a walk to visit a local village and the rice fields. We were lucky that there was a funeral celebration the day we went and it was fascinating to see village life and the way that they get together as a community. One aspect of the Samaya which is truly outstanding is the staff. My wife and I have travelled extensively in Asia and without question the staff at the Samaya are the best trained and most pleasant we have come across. Nothing is too much trouble and everyone has a smile on their face. We thoroughly enjoyed our return to The Samaya and would recommend to anyone considering a luxury stay in Ubud.