Kayumanis Ubud Private Villas & Spa

Quintessentially Balinese, discrete and intimate, this hideaway is an exclusive enclave of serenity, comfort, and romance—in the heart of Bali’s lush forest of Bali’s mystical Ayung River valley.

Kayumanis Ubud Private Villas & Spa is a beautiful boutique hotel, located deep in a tropical jungle, often shrouded in fog, and always serene. Our stay here was romantic, relaxing, and unforgettable.

Private villas

The twenty-three thatched villas of Kayumanis are surrounded by aromatic cinnamon trees, each secluded in its walled gardens, featuring a large swimming pool.

Spacious and luxuriously appointed, the villas have a separate sleeping pavilion and an open-air garden bath. Designed to emphasize the Balinese open living style, these retreats ensure complete privacy—and come assigned with the ever-ready personal butler.

Rose petals

To say Kaumanis Ubud is ‘romantic’ is a bit of an understatement: the hotel specializes in igniting and nurturing the spirit of romance.

A candlelit table dinner in the lush, secluded gardens of our own exclusive villa would have been quite right on its own, but our experience with Kayumanis was significantly enhanced by the staff decorating the villa and covering the pool with rose petals.

It took five members of staff to prepare the villa. The entire pool was covered with rose petals, and dozens of candles and oil torches set up around it. The air was filled with exotic scents, and the evening was rounded off by a five-course dinner.

For all senses

Kayumanis Ubud has Spa in its name, and the pampering is an essential part of the hotel experience.

The Spa is located on the opposite side of a ravine, cut by a small river over the eons. A picturesque private bridge spans its banks, leading to a natural forest clearing, where the spa facility is located. Several open-air treatment pavilions form the core of the facility, but there is also a swimming pool surrounded by shaded cabanas.

Back in the main resort area, the Dining Corner was our favorite place to dine. The restaurant overlooks the valley and offers Thai cuisine. Its menu and the wine list are small and selective — just like the resort itself.

Kayumanis Private Villa & Spa, Ubud, remains one of our favorite boutique hotels on the island. It is a place of Balinese serenity that ensures a very special romantic experience.

in our opinion

What we love

• Hotels in Bali are known for excellent service, and Kayumanis is at the top of that game. Our favorite detail was that every member of staff knew our names
• The Dining Corner restaurant has outstanding food and terrific views over the Ayung river valley
• The villas. They are extremely spacious, with a beautifully appointed swimming pool and an open-air garden bath. The best part? The serene atmosphere of the walled villa enclosures. Our favorite villa was the Villa Suar, a stunning place with a huge T-shaped pool
• Included in the room rate: minibar, afternoon tea and snacks, shuttle transport to Ubud at any time, as well as great guided treks along Ayung river and in Ubud
• The romantic in-villa-dining with the pool-covered-in-rose-petals extravaganza
• Warm and thoughtful service from the personal butler
• Even at full occupancy, Kayumanis feels very private and secluded
• Great picnics in selected places around the valley
• The hotel is ideally suited to honeymooners and couples seeking a personal and highly exclusive get-away

What you should know

• The Kayumanis is all about seclusion and privacy, and the views of the Ayung Valley are somewhat limited
• Kayumanis Ubud Private Villas & Spa does not accommodate children younger than twelve
• In some of the villas, the bathroom is set up entirely outdoors
• Ubud town is not within walking distance, but the free chauffeured limousines on demand more than makes up for it

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