Traffic in Ubud, Bali’s cultural capital, is notoriously chaotic, but the minute you turn on to Amandari’s long, shaded driveway, the buzz of motorbikes is replaced by birdsong.
Aman resorts master the art of blending boutique hotels seamlessly with their surroundings, and Amandari, modeled after a Balinese village, perfectly captures traditional Balinese style. The resort is in the village of Kedewatan, and like the neighboring homes, buildings here are made of local teak and mahogany, their vaulted thatched roofs supported by bamboo poles.
Its lush grounds are dotted with statues of Hindu deities at which staff make daily offerings.
Amandari is a luxury hotel for those who value intimacy and privacy. The resort is remarkably quiet, and the cheerful, accommodating staff caters to your every need but is also unobtrusive.
Aman resorts master the art of blending boutique hotels seamlessly with their surroundings, and Amandari, modeled after a Balinese village, perfectly captures traditional Balinese style. The resort is in the village of Kedewatan, and like the neighboring homes, buildings here are made of local teak and mahogany, their vaulted thatched roofs supported by bamboo poles.
Its lush grounds are dotted with statues of Hindu deities at which staff make daily offerings.
Amandari is a luxury hotel for those who value intimacy and privacy. The resort is remarkably quiet, and the cheerful, accommodating staff caters to your every need but is also unobtrusive.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Thoughtful amenities are found throughout your room, including jars of delicious baked goods atop the minibar, a colorful fruit platter on arrival and an ikat sarong for you to take home.
- The Bali hotel is big on wellness, and this extends to its restaurant. The open-air dining pavilion overlooks the pool and the Ayung Valley.
- Treatments at the hotel’s tranquil spa utilize local ingredients, such as the black rice exfoliant and volcanic clay used in the Village Spa Journey, which draws from an ancient Balinese melukat (ritual purification) ceremony.
- If you can tear yourself away from the resort’s pool, partake in the garden yoga for an equally tranquil experience.
- Amandari gets most of its produce, as well as free-range pigs and poultry, from local organic farms. You can opt for Western dishes as well as some Balinese favorites, too.
Things to Know
- Celebratory rites and festivals occur throughout the Balinese calendar year, so be sure to ask the concierge which celebrations coincide with your stay.
- Hotel staff can arrange recreation of all levels from visits to take in the ceremonies at the nearby temples in Kedewatan, and more active pursuits such as back-road bike rides or hikes along the river.
- Look out for a stone tiger – left by a seventh-century Hindu priest as a reminder of the village’s blessing – that sits beside two shrines 129 steps below Amandari.
The Rooms
- Stone and pebbled pathways ringed in moss lead to Amandari’s villas, which are entered through stone gateways. Suites open on three sides through sliding glass doors that give way to gardens and, in some cases, private plunge pools.
- Room and bathroom décor is all about achieving Zen — blond or honey-colored wood, beige wicker chairs, cream tiled floors — the better not to detract from the views of the surrounding jungle.
- Bathrooms have twin vanities and magnificent outdoor sunken marble soaking tubs.
- To look out on the verdant Ayung River Valley without lifting your head from the ultra-plush pillow, book the duplex Ayung Suite. Sleeping up here feels remarkably peaceful with wood-paneled walls and wraparound windows.
Nearby Attractions
- Visit the ateliers of local artisans and take a lesson from a Balinese painter in Ubud or an international artist living nearby.
- Sacred springs, shrines and statues dot the wilderness of the surrounding Ayung Valley. Hike, bike or whitewater raft through the jungle for a close-up.
- The tiered rice fields in the surrounding valley are interlaced with paths ideal for exploring by foot, bicycle or even elephant.
- A number of ancient temples are within a short drive of Amandari, including one of Bali’s longest pavilions at Pura Agung Gunung Raung, and the inspired woodcarvings of Gunung Kawi.
- The Taman Burung Bali Bird Park, just a short hike from Amandari, is home to more than 250 tropical species, as well as Komodo dragons.
Amenities
Bar
Gym
Outdoor pool
Restaurants
Spa
Tennis
Getting There
