Capella Ubud, Bali

On our way to Raja Ampat, my husband and I spent the first few days of our honeymoon at Capella Ubud and it set a terrific tone for the entire trip. We really appreciated the location up in Keliki Village. The property and rooms were full of character and charm. We had a sublime in-room spa treatment and the view from our pool was postcard-unreal. I love all the small details — the custom Kevala ceramics at the restaurant are gorgeous (and yes, the food is also great!) I especially want to shout out the drivers and guides. Most days we arranged a car service, picked a few villages, went there and explored. We will always remember meeting local families in Kamasan and Mas and will treasure the deeper experiences we had thanks to the guidance and translation from our guides.

Travelling to so many extraordinary places around the world, it takes something truly exceptional to leave a lasting mark on our hearts. Capella Ubud did exactly that. A place where magic, nature and timeless design come together in perfect harmony. Every corner of this resort reflects incredible thought, artistry and attention to detail. Designed by the visionary Bill Bensley, Capella is unlike anything we have ever experienced. We stayed in the Two Bedroom Lodge with our children, and from the very first moment, none of us wanted to leave. The interiors are simply breathtaking—every detail curated with impeccable taste, every element telling its own story. We especially loved the heated plunge pool, the thoughtful amenities and all the beautiful little surprises that made our stay feel so personal. What made this experience even more unforgettable was the genuine warmth of the entire team. From the beautiful welcome ritual to the exceptional hospitality throughout our stay, every moment felt effortless and heartfelt. Thank you for creating memories our family will treasure forever. If you’re looking for a destination that is truly out of this world, we cannot recommend Capella Ubud highly enough. It is, without question, one of the most extraordinary places we have ever stayed.

★★★★★ The most unique hotel stay I have ever experienced. Capella Ubud served as the perfect backdrop to our short but meaningful stay in Ubud. Stepping into the property feels like being pulled through time — back to an era when adventure and wonder were still very much alive. Or perhaps more precisely, like being transported straight into the pages of The Jungle Book. I cannot stop thinking about the rooms. They are genuinely cool and interesting — easily the most memorable I have encountered in any hotel, anywhere. The commitment to concept is total and commendable, though it comes with a few practical notes: expect to climb the equivalent of six flights of stairs every time you leave the room, and the open-plan bathroom (no separating door) takes some getting used to. Minor adjustments for a truly exceptional experience — come prepared and you will love every bit of it. Dinner at Api Jiwa was everything: beautifully curated, deeply satisfying, and made all the more special by a chance encounter with Executive Chef Arvie — a fellow Cebuano — which gave the meal a warmth and personal touch I was not expecting. The cultural excursion to Iwan Gayama Art School— where local children keep the Keliki painting tradition alive through free arts education — was one of the most quietly moving things I have witnessed on any trip. And the crown jewel of our stay: a Balinese Melukat purification ritual held at the Wos River Temple — a private village riverside temple that only Capella Ubud guests are permitted to enter as outsiders. Deeply spiritual, entirely intimate, and exactly what we needed. Capella Ubud does not offer comfort in the conventional sense. It offers something far rarer: wonder.

We checked in on Purnama day, which marked the beginning of our magical stay at Capella Ubud. Every single staff member, I truly mean every one of them, was detail-oriented, yet always welcoming with a warm smile. - We joined the sunrise tour to Mt. Batur, which I’d recommend to all nature lovers. We were lucky enough to witness the sunrise above a sea of clouds, a moment that was truly unforgettable. However, what made the entire tour exceptional was our guide, Hendra, who was kind, thoughtful, attentive and knowledgeable. I know I’m using many adjectives, but they truly reflect how he made this experience so memorable for us. Another highlight was the hidden picnic breakfast spot, seeing there were crowds gathered at the popular viewpoints, yet having this peaceful corner entirely to ourselves, made it really special. - We also had dinner at Api Jiwa, don’t miss it if you’d like to experience local ingredients with a modern, creative interpretation. I was especially happy that I decided to include the cocktail pairing which brought the entire meal together beautifully, and now I am a fan of arak. - We stayed during the transition between the rainy and dry seasons, whether under soft drizzles in the tent or bright sunshine by the pool, it remained equally magical. Last but not least, I loved the immersive local character that is often missing in some luxury brands. Here, you don’t feel removed from authentic local life, you feel part of it. Thoughtful and sustainable integration of Balinese traditions into the property, local farmers in the rice fields right in front of our room (while still offering all the privacy you need), the temple chants in the village, along with the staff’s answers to all my questions about Bali’s history and culture, such as the ulap-ulap atop the pool bar, fulfilled my curiosity and enriched my journey in Ubud not only physically but mentally as well. Matur suksma 🙏🏾🌕