Amandari

Rooms and decor

Amandari takes its name from Sanskrit, meaning "peaceful tranquility" — and that is what the resort has delivered for more than three decades. It sits on 10 hectares on a clifftop above the Ayung River, laid out as 30 suites arranged like a traditional Balinese village, each opening onto a courtyard, mature trees and its own small sala. Suites run roughly 170–250 sqm, finished in Balinese stone with open pavilions and a private garden, and a few include their own plunge pool. Bathrooms are open-air outdoor showers, so you feel part of the surrounding nature.

Food and amenities

The Ayung Terrace restaurant is open-sided with views over the valley and serves both Indonesian and international dishes, with the food praised for how fresh it is — some of the vegetables and herbs come from the resort's own garden. The Aman Spa has treatment rooms with windows onto the forest; the standout treatment is the Balinese Boreh Wrap, which uses local herbs. The real highlight, though, is the large community pool on the cliff edge, looking down to the Ayung flowing deep at the base of the gorge — more than one reviewer calls it the most beautiful infinity pool they have seen.

Location and getting there

Amandari is about 5 km from central Ubud, and the resort runs a shuttle into town. On-property activities include a Kecak Fire Dance performance, a cooking class, a cycling tour, and trekking down into the Ayung Gorge — a roughly 2-hour walk that passes through forest and local villages.

Things to know before booking

Most suites do not have a private pool — only certain types do, so check the room category if a plunge pool matters to you. The setting is quiet and very private rather than central, so you will lean on the shuttle to reach the Art Market and the Sacred Monkey Forest. And this is not a resort built around modern high-tech amenities; it is built around authentic Balinese atmosphere.

Our take

Amandari suits travellers who want to feel the real spirit of Bali in a quiet, deeply private setting — not those chasing the latest gadgets, but those who want a sense of meaning from a holiday. It opened in 1989 and, all these years later, still earns its 9.4/10.