Amandari – Hotel Review

Amandari, a luxury hotel out of sight on the crest of a verdant valley, was one of Ubud’s first luxury resorts. Designed by Australian architect Peter Muller, the 30-suite hotel remains the benchmark more than three decades later. Read on for the full review. 

Featuring warm wood and cool stone, the suites offer outdoor marble bathtubs, private pools and exotic flower-filled gardens. Tap into local tradition with a priest’s blessing, morning yoga classes or by answering yes to “Spicy?” at the restaurant.

Where is Amandari?

Nestled in lush tropical gardens overlooking the Ayung Valley, Amandari is 15 minutes outside Ubud and  a 90-minute drive (depending on traffic) from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Provide flight details on booking and the hotel will arrange air-conditioned transfers (included in your room rate).

What’s near Amandari?

The many attractions of Ubud are close by – including boutique shopping, artisan coffee shops, restaurants and bars, the Ubud Monkey Forest, Ubud Royal Palace and Saraswati Temple. Transfers to and from town are included in your stay and Amandari’s warm and knowledgeable drivers will make recommendations, arrange pick-up times that suit and even come and find you if you’re a little late. 

Room types 

With just 30 suites, Amandari feels intimate and exclusive. The 19 Village and Valley suites range in size from 110 square metres (single storey) to 158 square metres (duplex) but it’s the Pool Suite or above that you want—if the hip pocket can handle it—these come with private pools. Regardless of size or footprint, the suites share finely crafted timber details, warm stone accents and a seamless transition between indoors and out. For a family or group of friends, the Amandari Villa sits separately from the main property and has three bedrooms across five pavilions, a two-tier swimming pool, two staff and a driver on call. 

Restaurants and bars 

The property has one on-site restaurant, which serves both international and Indonesian cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sit on the deck by the main pool and enjoy black rice porridge for breakfast, nasi goreng for lunch or beef rendang, fish sate (satay) and tuna sambal matah (grilled tuna with lemongrass and lime) for dinner. If you’re celebrating, book dinner at the pavilion that sits out of sight on the edge of the valley and takes in incredible sunset views. There’s an open-air bar in the lobby pavilion and in-room dining offers the best of all menus.

Sustainability 

Amandari has an organic fruit and vegetable garden that provides the restaurant with fresh ingredients; in addition, local villagers are given space to grow their own produce. The hotel’s composting system creates fertiliser for the garden and is shared with nearby farms to feed livestock.

Travel for work

Wi-fi is fast and free throughout the resort, suites are spacious and there’s a quiet library if you really need to get your head down.  

Spa and pool 

While there’s a gorgeous spa with a marble steam room, open-air treatment rooms and a lotus pond, guests can also book in-villa treatments. Choose from a classic massage or a Balinese signature such as Mandi Lulur, which involves a massage, body mask, exfoliation and a herbal bath. Amandari’s main pool, with its views of the valley and rice paddies, is a tranquil option for guests who don’t have a pool in their suite.   

What you need to know

A blessing at the Amandari temple is a beautiful experience where a local priest bathes you in incense and a sprinkling of holy water as he chants prayers. Tea, fruit and Balinese sweets are served afterwards.

SEE ALSO: 18 of the Best Luxury Villas in Bali to Bookmark