11 of the most luxurious resorts in Ubud

A mecca for honeymooners and sunseekers alike, Ubud is home to some of Bali’s most magical and indulgent retreats.

People from all over the world flock to Bali to relax, reset and bring a little zen into their lives. And there’s no better place to treat yourself than in Ubud, which has some of the most indulgent retreats on the island. Here are 11 of the most luxurious places you can land in this beautiful mountainous town.

1. Maya Ubud Resort and Spa

For a traditional five-star experience, Maya Ubud Resort and Spa is hard to beat. Spread across 10 hectares of tropical landscape, you truly feel as if you are away from the hustle and bustle. Accommodation offerings include stylish rooms and private villas and visitors rave about the onsite dining.

2. The Kayon Jungle Resort Ubud

Described as a ‘sanctuary of tropical indulgence’ The Kayon Jungle Resort is located within the traditional Balinese village of Bresela, Payangan and is just 25 minutes from the cultural heart of Ubud. Designed as a relaxing retreat for adults, it’s not recommended for children under 15. The spectacular pool and bar that cascades over three levels (and is designed to mimic Bali’s undulating rice fields) is a real drawcard.

3. Chapung Sebali Resort and Spa

Chapung Sebali Resort and Spa fuses traditional Indonesian architecture with a contemporary Scandinavian styling. Set high in the hills just a 10-minute drive from Ubud, this is a great base if you wish to explore the village (but have a tranquil place to retreat at the end of the day). The onsite day spa has an array of indulgent treatments on offer, and there are a couple of great bars – including a luxe pool bar and a speakeasy – where you can unwind throughout the day.

4. Viceroy Bali

The luxury villas at Viceroy Bali combine the best of both worlds: traditional Balinese design and modern amenities to make your stay truly relaxing. The resort boasts amazing fine-dining options and for those wanting to rejuvenate, there’s an array of private yoga lessons, spa treatments and fresh juices to treat yourself with.

5. Hanging Gardens of Bali

The tiered pool at the Hanging Gardens of Bali has to be one of the most photographed in the world. Overlooking the Ayung River and ancient Dalem Segara temple, the resort is surrounded by lush rainforests and picturesque rice terraces. With 44 beautiful villas to choose from, the resort is truly an oasis in the middle of the Balinese jungle.

6. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Prepare to be spoiled. The Mandapa offers luxurious butler-attended villas and suites; vintage VW convertible tours of the local villages, rice fields and temples; and exquisite dining in private ‘cocoons’ (they also do a great traditional Balinese barbecue overlooking the rice fields). Be sure to check out the traditional healing sessions at the luxury spa and their signature cocktails crafted from Indonesian ingredients.

7. Komaneka at Rasa Sayang

If urban styling is more your speed, the Komaneka at Rasa Sayang is an indulgent, contemporary offering. Set on Monkey Forest Road, the resort is a short walk to all the action of Ubud, so this is a good choice if you’re wanting easy access to the town. Komaneka also has another resort in Ubud named Bisma in the up-and-coming area on Bisma Lane near the centre of Ubud.

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8. COMO Uma Ubud

With sleek interior design, tranquil private villas (with infinity-edged plunge pools) and world-class cuisine you’ll never want to leave COMO Uma Ubud. If you want to be a bit active on your holiday the resort offers biking and trekking tours. It’s a 30-minute walk to the heart of Ubud, but the hotel offers a regular free shuttle into the town if you want to head there in air-conditioned comfort.

9. Alila Ubud

Located high above the Ayung River, Alila Ubud hotel has been laid out as a Balinese hillside village complete with its own community centre and pedestrian lanes. The resort’s rooms and villas have a treehouse feel, perched on stilts above ravines set into the banks of the river valley. A stay here is an unforgettable experience.

10. Natya Resort Ubud

With just 24 villas onsite, a stay at Natya Resort Ubud is a truly boutique experience. Using a subtle blend of modern and traditional architecture, all villas are built with privacy in mind, incorporating private gardens and pools, and spacious bathrooms with outdoor and indoor showers. The intimate atmosphere means it’s perfect for honeymooners and couples.

11. Kamandalu Ubud

Set among the tree tops on the outskirts of Ubud, Kamandalu Ubud has been welcoming guests with its warm Balinese hospitality since 1992. Enjoy six-course forest dining on the exclusive tree deck, or indulge in a spa treatment surrounded by towering coconut palms. The resort has one of the largest swimming pools in Ubud with a swim-up bar serving a full selection of exotic cocktails. Its complimentary morning yoga sessions are a great way to start each day in paradise.

For more info on curating the ultimate Bali getaway, check out our comprehensive guide.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.