The most well-versed Ubud frequenters would recognise Samsara Ubud from its honour in holding One MICHELIN Key. Others might know it as a treasure chest hidden among the dense foliage of Payangan; that is, if they describe riches in life as the luxury of time and privacy.
With no more than 17 private villas, chances to come across other guests are slim, allowing dwellers to carve their own intimate oasis surrounded by nothing but the rainforest. Luxuriate in the fact that there’s nothing else to do here other than relax: spacious archetypal Balinese bedrooms open to the outside, the temperature-controlled pools offer a soothing dip no matter the time of day, and outdoor spaces are perfect for breaths of fresh air.
One can also succumb to the bliss of treatments at Chakra Spa & Wellness. If not for the Balinese massages, stop by for a range of infrared sauna sessions with detoxification, weight loss, or even anti-aging settings. But it’s the recently opened Samsara Pustaka that might lure guests down an endless rabbit hole. A curated library of Indonesian literary works fill up the bookshelves alongside ornate bibelots. Spend hours poring through pages by independent authors from across the archipelago, preferably accompanied by an elegant afternoon tea to amp up the stately yet homey atmosphere.
Indonesian culture also takes centre stage at The Kelusa, the resort’s restaurant named after the village it inhabits. The menu transforms the nation’s cooking into fine dining presentations. Western standards are still available, but there’s always an Indonesian twist to it: hand-twisted pasta topped with buntut (oxtail), bouillabaisse spruced with local spices and seafood, pizza dressed in sambal matah.
While the razzle dazzle of fancy dinners and luxurious amenities sweetens the Samsara experience, the core of its elegance lies elsewhere. It’s in the fact that one can elongate their days as they wish, however they want, wherever they want, without a care in the world.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- A small collection of only 17 private villas for utmost intimacy
- Temperature-controlled pools in each private villa
- Samsara Pustaka, a library of literary works by independent Indonesian authors
Asia Dreams Volume 60
Samsara Ubud
Banjar Ayah, Desa Kelusa, Payangan
Bali 80572, Indonesia
T: (+62) 811846769
E: sales@samsaraubud.com
W: samsaraubud.com
IG: @samsaraubud
