After an amazing and idyllic beach vacation at Sanur, we were all set to explore the cultural capital of Bali, Ubud — one of the most raved destinations in Bali. Ubud has an aura and a charm of its own and has been attracting dreamers, hippies, yoga fanatics and backpackers for ages now.
From the stunning temples to the traditional dance shows, from the breathtaking waterfalls to the lush green rice terraces, Ubud is truly unique and magical. While at Ubud, we stayed at Maya Ubud Resort and Spa which is one of the finest properties in Ubud and has won many accolades for its in-house Spa.
• • • Welcome • • •
As we drove towards Ubud from Sanur, the beautiful seascape gave way to lush greenery, the sound of waves from the ocean was replaced by the chirping of birds, the magnificent beaches were replaced by preened rice terraces. We reached Maya Ubud Resort & Spa after an hour-long drive from Sanur.
As our car reached the entrance of the resort, we were greeted by the smiling porters and our luggage was whisked away in no time. We were escorted to the lobby where we were handed a guava and watermelon mocktail and wet towels while the check-in process was done. Even before we could finish our welcome drink, the check-in process was completed. That was followed by a brief overview of the resort and the facilities available at the resort along with a map. Post that, we were ushered to hop on a golf buggy that was waiting for us to take us to our Deluxe Pool Villa.
• • • Rooms • • •
Our Villa at Maya Ubud Resort & Spa was a perfect escape to tranquility. The villa was furnished in typical Balinese style with teak wood furnishings, had a gorgeous king size bed with canopy, a private pool, plush bathroom with bathtub that had a view of the private pool. A walk-in closet led to the bathroom which was just as luxurious as the rest of the villa with a large spa-like tub. The villa also had a TV, DVD player, sitting area, mini-bar, high-speed Wi-Fi and upscale toiletries. The outdoor area had a shower, a small lawn, and a sitting area.
Breakfast in Bed
We found a sweet message and bouquet of flowers waiting for us as we entered the villa. It was such a beautiful gesture to welcome the resort guests. Our absolute favorite part of staying at the Villa with a private pool was being able to have a quick dip under a moonlight sky on most of the days.
Tucked amidst the Petanu river valley on one side to the rice terraces on the other side, the resort is a relaxing retreat. From the open lobby to the beautiful wooden paneling, from the shimmering pools overlooking the forest canopy to the pond strewn with Lotus. An earthy and subtle theme threads around the entire resort and a stream that zigzags through the tree-dotted landscape makes it more serene.
The resort design perfectly blends into its surrounding. Though the resort is just 2 km from the city center, yet the moment you step in, you will be secluded and away from the Ubud traffic scene.
From the city center, the walk to the resort is a great leisurely stroll and there are also regular shuttles from the resort to the city center and vice versa from 9 AM in the morning to 5 PM in the evening.
• • • Dining • • •
All of the other accommodations feature separate sitting areas and some have their own private outdoor plunge pools. The restaurant on-site needs a special mention too. Maya Sari which is the signature restaurant offers mouthwatering dishes and Asiatique that offers Asian food from India, China, and Indonesia. The in-house bar – Bar Bedulu has a traditional setting with thatched roofs overlooking the river valley. Another great place to spend time is the River Cafe which overlooks the River Petanu.
• • • Amenities & Activities • • •
The resort also offers amenities like a fully equipped fitness gym, tennis courts, and spa facilities. There are two large swimming pools and multiple dining options. Both the pools have unique views, one overlooks the forest canopy and the other overlooks the river.
The Main Swimming Pool
Spa Swimming Pool
– Sightseeing at Ubud –
On the very first day of our stay, we hopped on to the resort shuttle which took us straight to the city center which was just two km from the resort. Our first stop was Ubud Palace which was bang in the middle of the city center. The palace is beautiful inside out. A part of the palace is still owned by the royal family and is their residence.
Just a step away from the Ubud palace is the Saraswati temple which is one of the must-visit places in Ubud. On certain days of the week, there is also a traditional dance performance in the temple. We just couldn’t miss the opportunity to witness the traditional dance so we booked ourselves tickets for the show.
( Note: Ticket Price – 80,000 IDR but don’t forget to haggle)
Warrior Dance
As we were already famished so we thought of checking out the Lotus Cafe which is in the same complex as the temple. The food was good though a bit expensive and the service was quite disappointing. Later we learned that people reserve seats in the cafe to watch the dance performance from the cafe itself as they don’t have to pay for the tickets. There is also a Starbucks next to the temple.
Our second day at the resort started with a breakfast which was an equally decadent affair. Served in the Maya Sari restaurant, overlooking the peaceful garden. It was a wonderful buffet with a large array of dishes and freshly baked items to fuel up for the day.
Everything was well prepared, fresh and good – and the service was definitely top notch. After a hearty breakfast, we headed out to the city center to do some street shopping and sightseeing. We rented a bike for just INR 350 and were able to cover the majority of the attractions in and around Ubud. We had a fun time wandering aimlessly and visiting few places like Goa Gajah temple, Tegenungan waterfall, Tegalalang rice terrace and some other attractions followed by a lot of street shopping and sampling local food.
Goa Gajah temple
Tegalalang rice terrace
Tegenungan waterfall
We called it a day with a relaxing milk bath with Frangipani flowers arranged by the hotel staff on our request.
Milk & Flower Bath
View of the Private Pool from the Bathroom
On the last day of our stay, we were too lazy to leave the comfort of our room so we opted for breakfast in bed that was followed by few dips in the pool and later we booked ourselves a sixty-minute traditional Balinese massage to unwind in the blissfully tranquil spa. Maya Ubud Resort & Spa is known for its wide range of spa therapies that suits you from the top of your head to the tip of your toes.
Couple’s Massage Room
The treatment starts with a foot massage, followed by the masseuse kneading all the sore muscles, oiling, and gently scrubbing the entire body. The entire process lasts for about 40-50 minutes as per your choice. It ends with a flower bath in a huge bathtub overlooking a small stream meandering through the forest canopy… aah BLISS!!!
View from the Spa
The Bathtub and the view
After a revitalizing spa, we headed for the Riverside lunch. Nothing was more beautiful than spending our last few hours at the resort amidst nature. A little wooden pavilion with wispy curtains on the banks of the river was a perfect picnic set up. With no one around, it was no ordinary lunch. We could hear the burble of the nearby river, the chirping of birds and cricket of insects.
Picnic Setup
The Picnic Lunch
We had no clue how the two hours passed and it was time to leave this stunning property. The only struggle was to hike up after the heavy lunch.
• • • Overall • • •
If you are looking to unwind, stay connected to nature, wake up to tweeting of birds, the burble of streams or some “WE” time, we highly recommend the resort. The location is an add-on. Not just it is closer to the city center but away from the frenzy sounds of motorbike and vendor calls. The resort is designed keeping the surroundings in mind — be it the wooden walkways or the vantage point overlooking the river and Maya Spa. The moment you step into the resort everything slows down, and in no time you succumb to the tranquility.
The resort definitely offers an unrivaled combination of luxury, privacy, environmentally friendly design and experiences that will be etched in your memories and memory card.
Experiences Offered by the Resort:
- White Water River Rafting
- Elephant Safari Park Taro
- Bali Safari & Marine Park
- Village Trekking
- Rice Paddy Walk
- Cooking Classes
- Ubud Cycling Tour
Must visit Places in Ubud:
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Ubud Monkey Forest
- Goa Gajah temple
- Ubud Palace
- Tegenungan waterfall
- Tegalalang rice terrace
Contact :
Jalan Gunung Sari Peliatan,
P. O. Box 1001.
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia 80571.
P: +62 361 977 888. F: +62 361 977 555
You can find more information about the property on their official website.
NOTE
If you do find our article useful in planning your trip, don’t forget to send a note/picture of your trip to us ( Email: thetalesofatraveler@gmail.com)
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Gorgeous place and even more gorgeous resort. Isn’t Maya a really expensive place to stay? But what a room, I love that bed and the breakfast tray. Going to check Maya rates right after I finish this comment.
Wow the place looks stunning. I like resorts with elements of nature so this one seems perfect to me. I’ll try to persuade my bf to have a romantic stay here soon haha 😀 Thanks for sharing!
Just show him the resort website, he will be easily convinced 🙂
Beautiful and detailed post, absolutely love it when people take out the time to write about a place. When I visited Ubud during my honeymoon 11 years back it was still the up and coming region of Bali mostly famous with backpackers. Now, while that still remains true there has been an increase in luxury properties like this one which is great because many like to stay by the beach and miss out on all that Ubud has to offer.
There are numerous luxurious properties in Ubud, we had a tough time to finalize one.
Wow, you guys sure know how to live a life of luxury, you made me jealous reading this and seeing your detailed pictures! That’s a great tip about the Lotus Cafe, probably booking a table when the show is on and then ordering a drink is the best way to see the show. The picnic lunch sounds much better and looked it too! I have a question, are there a lot of bugs in this place?
In fact, the waiter at the Lotus Cafe told us that we could book a table and watch the show but we had already bought the tickets for the show by then.
That bath! Oh wow. That’s got me sold. Where do I book? Also the food. Oh it’s too much.
Thanks a lot 🙂 You can book directly from their website 🙂
What a gorgeous looking resort. I love how it is rooted deep in the forest, which gives it a nice hidden feel. The amenities look very luxurious and I’m sure my fiancee would love this place. How far are the attractions from the resort? I hope to make it to Bali soon and I’ll keep Ubud in mind!
The resort is just 2 km from the city and there are regular shuttles from/to resorts 🙂
wow .. ultimate place, the all images are nice and beautiful, thank you for sharing the images .
Thanks a lot Juhi 🙂
Wow !! Gorgeous place to stay. Love the entire post guys!! Thanks for sharing. Happy vaccy ..!! Love
Chayani| www. Priyaniflyingbirds.com
Thank you so much Chayani .. xoxo
The resort looks like an idyllic stay for people looking for a break from the city. However, I cannot below it is just 2kms from the city center and still looks so peaceful and untouched. Totally in love with the view from the spa, it looks like a perfect location to relax and unwind. Thanks for sharing detailed post on Maya Ubud Resort, definitely going to look this up while planning the Bali vacation.
Surely keep the resort in mind while planning your Bali vacation 🙂 We are sure you will love your stay. In fact, our initial choice was something else but glad we got an opportunity to stay at Maya Ubud
Have not yet been to Bali but will certainly get there soon. Loved the very detailed post about your experience and with all the photos, one can certainly picture being there. The property looked remote and peaceful but since you listed the available activities, I now know there is plenty to do other than relax in luxury 🙂 Nice post.
Yes, there are numerous things to do both in the resort as well as in and around Ubud 🙂
Oh my, this place looks perfect! Probably a little out of my regular price range but it’ll definitely stick in my mind should I ever find myself on a more luxury-based trip to Indonesia!
If you want to pamper yourself in Ubud, you should definitely visit Maya Ubud Spa 🙂
What perfect timing! I am planning another Bali trip right now. The second for 2017! What can I say I love Bali. We will be heading to Ubud and Maya Resort and Spa sounds perfect. I can never go past a private pool and the milk bath looks sensational!
hehehe .. Private pool and milk bath are definitely luxe. Wish you guys a great vacation !!!
I have heard many good things about Ubud but never have I seen a resort so enchanting! I don’t know what looks best, the private pool? The flower-filled tubs (the smell must be heavenly)? Or is it the candelight dinner for 2?
The surrounding region also seems breathtaking. Indonesia is definitely on our list!
Thank you for such a sweet comment. Indonesia is gorgeous, we are planning to revisit soon especially the Gilli islands are on our list 🙂
Wow the place looks amazing!
Thanks a lot 🙂
The Maya resort looks like a gorgeous place to stay. The pictures are all so tempting. Breakfast in bed kind of vacation would be such a nice vacation. And that milk bath with Frangipani flowers. I totally want to do that.
Actually, I ordered for rose petal milk bath but roses were out of stock so we had to manage with frangipani 😉
This place looks stunning!!!! I would go here for my honeymoon. I need a boyfriend first.
Hope you find a boyfriend and get to visit Bali soon 😉
Well, that’s the exact way I’m imagining an exotic luxury resort to be! Unfortunately, I’ve never been to one, I imagine I’d like to try and be cuddled all the time, but it’s not really the kind of destination I usually prefer on my travels. Anyway, I could give it a try if I’ll pass by Ubud!
Do give a shot, you won’t regret it 🙂
The resort looks like such a dream, especially with the private pool and being surrounded by nature. The milk and frangipani flowers bath seems to relaxing and you were definitely spoiled with that delicious breakfast in bed. Even if it’s a resort I have the impression that it gives you the privacy to create a romantic atmosphere.
We were too lazy to leave our villa, we had to order one 😀
I’m not even sure where to start. The entire resort looks positively divine, and we typically aren’t drawn to luxury resorts! I love how the architectural designs of the buildings and pools merge so well with the natural environment. Is it possible to swim below the Tegenungan Waterfall? Not that I’m even sure I’d want to – the private pool right outside your room looked just perfect, especially at night under the stars, as you mentioned. Stunning photos as well.
We do love luxury resorts 🙂 Maya Ubud surely is an escape to tranquility ..
What a beautiful resort! It looks so quiet and relaxing. I would love to stay in a place with a private pool. That screams ultimate luxury to me! Also, I’m pretty sure I need one of those guava watermelon mocktails…
Mocktails was awesome.. trust us. Hope you get to stay in a place with private pool soon 🙂
Wow, this place looks like something I daydream about. I love your writing style, and your beautiful photos. I’ll have to go here someday – a private pool is something I now realize I need in my life!
hahaha… private pools are awesome and Bali has no dearth of resorts with stunning private pools 🙂
Oh my! Your pictures are amazing! When I was in Bali, I didn’t have the chance to visit Ubud. Next time I visit, know where to stay. This resort is amazing. I would love to just chill and relax.
Beautiful location, Stunning Resort and Lovely pictures 🙂 I would definitely want to stay here someday, thanks for sharing the info..Cheers!
Maya Ubud is indeed a stunning property 🙂 You will definitely love your stay !!!
What a gorgeous photo essay and review! Ubud is one of my all time favorite destinations. This post is inspiring me to travel back and stay at the Maya!
Thanks a ton Laura 🙂 We love Ubud too san traffic 😉
I would never want to leave this resort. I love the style and architecture. Beautiful! Bali is on my list so I will check that place out when that day comes.
Thank you so much Lara … Wish you get to travel to Bali soon !!!
I think one must stay at least for 3 to 4 days to experience all its facilities. Such a lot to experience!I may not have wanted to go out sight seeing 😛 🙂 Mind blowing captures.
We stayed there for 3 days still were not able to cover a lot of the experiences they offer 🙁 Do plan a visit, we are sure you will love it 🙂
I so want to bathe in this luxury 🙂 I promise my self to go to Bali in one year 🙂 aweeeesome post, super details and ofcourse beautifully captured 🙂
Thanks a ton babe… Hope you get to visit Bali soon 🙂
@Swati….you are looking gorgeous. Loved all the shots …this place is an epitome of luxury. 🙂
Thank you so much Ami 🙂
Oh, this resort is so filled with beauty and elegance. We also featured this on Global Girl Travels and it is such a beautiful place to photograph, isn’t it? It is the perfect place to indulge in luxurious relaxation and pampering.
That’s nice … yes, it’s a gorgeous property 🙂 Perfect for family vacation or for honeymooners.
This looks like my kind of place. I love luxurious resorts amid beautiful surroundings. And that milk bath with Frangipani flowers is exactly what I need. It must have been so hard to leave…
Thanks a ton, we had to request one to pamper ourselves after a tiring day 🙂
Maya Ubud Resort & Spa looks the perfect place for a quality vacation in Ubud. I have been planning to visit Indonesia , especially Ubud , the ancient architecture, rich cultural heritage and the paddy rice fields make it one desired destination for me. You have captured it well. I am hooked totally for the Spa.
You will love Ubud 🙂
An ideal place to pamper one’s wearied soul. Perfect for couples. How long did you stay and can you give us an idea of the total cost for this type of holiday? Thanks!
I think it is the little things which make all the difference when it comes to having a wonderful stay. Things like having the well thought out messages with the flowers on arrival and the flowers which can be added to the bath when requested. It makes so much more of a luxury feel.
The photos are really great too. Thank you for sharing.
It is a beautiful luxurious property to visit. Thank you so much for your generous words 🙂
You had me at cocktails on arrival!! This place looks like paradise. How I would love a bath with those flowers, breakfast in bed and to watch the show! It looks so exciting. Hope you enjoyed your time.
Yes, we did 🙂 After day full of sightseeing we really wanted to pamper ourselves with a flower + milk bath 🙂
This place looks amazing and wowww the swimming pools too! Breakfast on your bed and a wonderful bathroom! Did you enjoy your time there?!?! I think so! Anyway I love Ubud Palace, great picture too! thanks for sharing this magnificent location with us
Yes, we did enjoy our time at the resort. Ubud is a beautiful place, you should definitely visit 🙂
This resort seems to capture the best of the spirit of Bali in its fold. It is really beautiful and exotic and combines convenience with the exotic. A great place to really chill out.
Wow! Ubud is truly a beautiful place and the resort is definitely a must-visit. I love the photos and the way you have presented the entire experience. Simply breathtaking! Thanks for sharing!
The resort seems absolutely stunning with all the greenery around and the beautiful setup. I will definitely want to stay here when I happen to visit Bali. Bookmarking your post for reference
What a great looking resort. It looks like a very calm and relaxing atmosphere. I would love to relax in that bath. And that bed looked so lovely.
Bali is a honeymooners destination and this resort has a calm and relaxing environment. Must say stunning pictures. Bookmarking this for our next visit to Bali.
Wow, that bath with the rose petals, looking out onto the jungle is my idea of paradise! In fact the whole place has that feel about it. love the canopies over the beds and the food looks divine too! Breakfast in bed would be areal treat!
Oh wow, there are so many swimming pools! Definitely spoilt for choice. I didn’t visit Ubud while I was there (just Kuta, Seminyak and Nusa Dua) so I definitely need to head back. The spas look like an ideal spot to go to after a long day of exploring and sight seeing 🙂
This seems like a wonderful resort. We’re planning a trip to Bali soon and this seems to be the perfect option for our accommodation needs in ubud. Will be looking up the rest of your posts and bookmarking them for future referenc. Also might be pinging you with specific questions once our dates are finalized 🙂
This place looks so good that I could pack and go there in a second. From the accommodation, to the food and including the bath you frangipani flowers, makes it the perfect relaxing place. Just what I need!
This looks like such a perfect spot for a honeymoon!! Love the photos too, looks like I need to write this on the list!
That resort looks very luxurious. I really like the design of the pool with the tiled walls and it’s cool you got a private pool as well. Goa Gajah temple looks incredible and I’m glad there is so much to see around the resort.
Thanks a lot for the post. I am going to visit bali soon. So, this article will help for some of my purpose.
I went to Bali a couple years ago and absolutely loved it there!! I stayed at a private villa for only $80 a night but this looks amazing too! The design is so serene.
One word for this post, WOW! Places like this really fascinate me. Though I haven’t tried going to places where their culture has been practiced and even applied to what we have today, I still admire its uniqueness and the tranquility it provides. Such place, for me, is somewhat like the best place to unwind indeed.
Wow, this place is awesome…the resort is really stunning! Love your pictures, in particular I really appreciate the Sarawati Temple one, so beautiful. Well, the resort is a luxorious one, I don’t know if I could effort, but I would like to go with my girlfriend, I’m sure she is going to like a place like this 🙂 .
You have me so eager to go here. It looks WONDERFUL. How relaxing and beautiful. I am so excited to come here in the future
That’s a lovely blog on your experiences in not only in Maya Ubud Resort, but in Ubud overall. I am in love with the room and the perks you got. The flower bath is something I would love to get indulged in. Plus the warrior dance, the beautiful places like Tegallalang rice terraces, Goa Gajah, and more are must-do’s. I have stayed in an ecolodge when in Ubud. But next time when I visit Bali, even if I am not staying in Maya, I will at least take a massage and spa service from there.