Capella Ubud Lodge Evaluation

Capella Ubud was constructed with out reducing down any bushes.

After I discovered this, I paused to soak up my environment, noticing how every tented construction inside the property was seamlessly built-in with native tropical flowers and hovering palm bushes that shaped a powerful cover overhead. I used to be utterly in awe of how such harmonious integration was doable.

Tucked away within the lush rainforests of Bali, Capella Ubud is an opulent sanctuary that immerses visitors within the island’s gorgeous pure magnificence and wealthy cultural heritage. Legendary architect Invoice Bensley created this spectacular tented camp with out disrupting the land’s lush pure panorama.

Capella Ubud has been featured in Journey + Leisure’s annual World’s Finest Awards for a number of years. It was acknowledged because the greatest lodge on the planet by T+L readers in 2020 and is 2024’s high lodge in Indonesia. Capella was additionally named the high lodge model on the planet in 2023 and 2024. For sure, my expectations had been excessive.

Upon my arrival, I used to be embraced by the soothing sounds of nature and greeted with a conventional blessing of holy water and a sprinkle of rice on my brow, which symbolizes prosperity and well-being. Then I launched into a melukat, a water ritual aimed to cleanse the physique and spirit, a part of the model’s Capella Curates program.

Wearing Balinese apparel offered by the resort, I used to be guided by a camp ranger alongside a rocky pathway to the Sacred Wos River Temple, the place we ready choices for the gods and recited mantras to launch unfavorable vitality. Then, we submerged in an historic spring of holy water.

Wellness and journey stand out right here by quite a lot of actions that encourage visitors to have interaction with Balinese tradition — from guided jungle treks and rice paddy walks to cooking lessons and yoga classes. The culinary choices are equally spectacular, with on-site eating choices that showcase vibrant native flavors and substances.

The property options 22 luxurious one-bedroom villas and one two-bedroom lodge, every with its personal personal saltwater pool, spacious out of doors deck, impeccably designed interiors, and sprawling views of the Keliki Valley. These tented retreats mix the pure great thing about the Balinese jungle with trendy facilities.

Learn on for my evaluation of Capella Ubud and uncover what awaits at this distinctive sanctuary in Bali.

The Rooms

Nestled inside the forests, the tented villas are uniquely styled to mirror the talents of European settlers from the early 1800s, resembling tradesmen, explorers, and artists. Trendy conveniences embrace air-conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, a complimentary smartphone (with information included), a stocked refreshment trunk, and an Illy espresso machine.

In my not-so-humble abode, known as the Horn Collector’s Tent, I crossed a suspension bridge that led to an expansive wood deck with a suspended saltwater pool, a big daybed, and two further lounging areas.

The sun-drenched suite was adorned with wealthy textiles and an array of horn ornaments and different Balinese devices. It additionally displayed a lavish refreshment trunk, coated in plush brown-and-white rawhide and stocked with premium drinks, which far exceeded a typical minibar. A complimentary carafe of spiced rum, contemporary tropical fruits, and specialty cookies supplied a welcome deal with as I made myself at residence.

My lavatory was downright opulent with a hammered copper soaking tub, an out of doors bathe sanctuary, a double washbasin vainness, and essentially the most elaborately designed bathroom throne I’ve ever seen. And let’s not overlook the cleaning soap menu: your selection of handcrafted natural soaps made with Balinese botanicals and fragrances, resembling bamboo blossom, citrus lily, chocolate-orange, and occasional.

Within the night, I appeared ahead to turndown service — a soothing foot bathtub (heat water infused with important oils and Frangipani flowers), accompanied by natural tea and cookies — earlier than cozying up in my heavenly king-size cover mattress.

Meals and Drink

Impressed by the Sanskrit phrase which means “fireplace to the soul,” Api Jiwa is an open-air restaurant. With one nightly seating at 7 p.m., visitors can savor an revolutionary, 10-course omakase-style menu highlighting the best substances from throughout Bali. Central to the expertise, an open kitchen invitations diners to witness the culinary artistry unfold. The encircling Chef’s Desk presents a first-rate view of the motion, making a energetic and interactive surroundings between the cooks and visitors.

One other terrific possibility is Mads Lange, a split-level tented eating room overlooking the property’s immaculate grounds and industrial-style pool. The a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus characteristic worldwide dishes boasting seasonal flavors, hand-harvested greens, spices, and herbs from close by farms, and the freshest regional seafood.

Morning espresso, afternoon tea, and night cocktails and canapés are served within the Officers Tent, a handsomely adorned lounge and social area with board video games, a set of books, and antiques from a bygone period. Mild bites and Bali-inspired cocktails will be loved on the poolside Mortar & Pestle Bar or from the consolation of a lounge chair. For the last word indulgence, begin your day with an extravagant floating breakfast in your individual personal pool.

Experiences and Facilities

The Capella Curates program consists of native culinary exploration, a design and structure tour of Ubud, and artwork workshops. And don’t miss the night below the celebrities programming (climate allowing); it is a film or dwell storytelling hosted round a campfire, full with sizzling chocolate and toasted marshmallows.

Take a dip within the heated out of doors Cistern pool, which is almost 70 toes lengthy, has a singular zigzag design, and options a number of high-power aqua jets. Better of all, this show-stopping pool and its adjoining sundeck supply magnificent panoramic views.

If trekking across the property’s sloping terrain is not sufficient of a exercise, the state-of-the-art health middle is open 24 hours a day and has a weekly schedule of lessons starting from aerial yoga to bootcamp. Into out of doors adventures? Strive mountain biking, jungle hikes, or different guided actions.

The Spa

When looking for tranquility and rest throughout your keep, Auriga Wellness has you coated. Right here, conventional Balinese therapies incorporate native substances and luxe natural merchandise made solely for Capella Ubud.

Friends can get pampered in spacious spa therapy rooms or go for serenity of their personal villa. I completely loved the Full Moon Therapeutic massage, a rejuvenating signature therapy that channeled the calming vitality of the moon.

Household-friendly Choices

Households can take artistic cooking lessons to discover ways to make Balinese dishes collectively, and take part in guided nature walks, arts and crafts, and enjoyable instructional applications particularly designed for youths. Moreover, the concierge can set up personalized excursions to close by points of interest, cultural experiences, and eco-adventures which can be appropriate for kids. That stated, the lodge does not advocate bringing kids youthful than six years previous due to the lodge’s steep and sloping terrain.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Capella Ubud is not a match for vacationers with mobility challenges due to the resort’s terrain. Although the villas weren’t designed primarily based on ADA necessities, the employees is extremely accommodating and their concentrate on visitor consolation is clear. Strolling sticks are additionally accessible to be used across the property.

Moreover, the lodge has applied practices that decrease its environmental footprint, together with defending each tree on its 9 acres of land.

Location

Many high points of interest in Ubud — the long-lasting Tegalalang rice terraces, the Sacred Monkey Forest, and common artwork markets — are only a brief drive from the resort. Plus, the Ngurah Rai Worldwide Airport is about an hour-and-a-half drive away. Transfers will be organized by the resort.

Though a automotive offers flexibility for exploring, Capella presents guided excursions and actions that allow guests to expertise the sights and interact within the native tradition without having a automobile.

In case you’re savvy on two wheels, renting a motorbike or a scooter is a well-liked technique to get round. You possibly can simply e-book a scooter or taxi experience by Bali’s common ride-sharing apps, Gojek and Seize.

Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Whereas staying at this distinctive property could include a better price ticket, maintain a watch out for particular presents resembling multi-night reductions.

Friends can be part of the Capella Discovery loyalty program to earn factors on eligible purchases, receiving a proportion again (usually 4% to 7%) that may be redeemed for eating, room upgrades, spa remedies, or utilized to your last invoice upon check-out.

Moreover, the property is a part of American Specific Journey’s Advantageous Resorts & Resorts, which presents wonderful advantages like early check-in and late check-out, room upgrades upon arrival (when accessible), each day breakfast for 2, and a property credit score for Platinum cardmembers. Cardholders will pay with factors to e-book their keep, too.