01/06/2014
Perched atop a river ridge, classically elegant Viceroy Bali boutique hotel near arty inland Ubud offers verdant vistas from its sublime infinity pool, spa or your own personal relaxation pavilion. Snaffle a thatched villa with a private outdoor pool to soak up views of the Valley of the Kings, so called because Balinese royalty once made their homes in the rustic villages nearby.
AT THE HOTEL
Spa, gym, library of books and DVDs, free WiFi throughout, gardens, boutique, helipad. In rooms: flatscreen satellite TV, CD/DVD player, iPod dock, minibar, espresso machine with Illy coffee, private pool (in Deluxe Terrace Villas).
OUR FAVOURITE ROOMS
We recommend the Deluxe Terrace Villas, so don't settle for less. The spacious bedroom, living space and bathroom are pretty swank, but the real wow factor is the relaxation pavilion on the terrace, perched over your own outdoor pool with views of the dramatic Petanu River gorge beyond. An alfresco dining table means romantic meals à deux are on the cards.
POOLSIDE
Sinuous and sexy, the curvy main pool culminates in a dramatic infinity-edge overlooking towering palm trees. Sunloungers, shady relaxation balés (pavilions) and a pretty water feature up the come-hither factor.
PACKING TIPS
Bring your yoga, trekking or cycling gear if you plan to get active; or your biggest sunglasses if you'd rather just get horizontal. Mosquito repellant is always a good call in jungle-fringed Ubud.
ALSO
Smoking is allowed in open-air areas only. There is a compulsory Christmas dinner and New Year's dinner at Viceroy, and there are minimum-stay restrictions during this period.
CHILDREN
Welcome, but this is more of a romantic adult resort. Baby cots and extra beds for older kids can be provided for US$100 a night (including breakfast), and babysitting with staff costs about US$11 an hour, given a day's notice.
ECO‐FRIENDLY
Villas were designed using natural, local building materials to blend in with the environment. The hotel also supports clean drinking water and recycling schemes, serves seasonal and organic food, and has guest bicycles.
HOTEL RESTAURANT
Offering jaw-dropping views from its open pavilions and trad Balinese styling (cue lofty alang-alang thatched roof), Cascades Restaurant serves up tasty French food with an Asian twist. Typical dishes run the gamut from Indonesian rijstaffel (tasting plates) to pistachio-encrusted rack of lamb or zucchini flowers with goat's cheese. There's an impressive global wine list, too.
HOTEL BAR
In need of a cocktail fix? Luckily, the Viceroy Bar has a rep for pouring some of the best in Bali, alongside fine wines, cognacs, Japanese whiskies and ci**rs for your delectation. Popular with both guests and walk-in visitors, it sports a striking long lacquered bar and lots of lounge space for taking in those gorgeous gorge horizons.
LAST ORDERS
Lunch at Cascades is served from 12pm–2pm, dinner from 6pm–10pm; the bar keeps going until 11pm.
ROOM SERVICE
Available 24 hours a day, offering pretty much everything on the restaurant menu.
WORTH GETTING OUT OF BED FOR
If you'd rather not stray far from bed, the hotel offers Balinese dancing, cooking, kite- or offering-making classes, private yoga sessions and plenty of spa pampering. Futher afield, head out on a village tour, rice-paddy trek, rustic cycle ride, elephant safari or go river rafting. For a culture hit, drive into local town Ubud, where you'll find respected art galleries, chic boutiques, temples and a crafts market, as well as a monkey forest full of pesky but entertaining simians. Viceroy Bali can also organise trips, including helitours, to top sights across Bali.
LOCAL RESTAURANTS
Head to rated Ubud restaurant Mosaic (+62 361 975 768; www.mozaic-bali.com). Considered one of Asia's best, it's set in a lush tropical garden on Jalan Raya Sanggingan. Under the helm of chef Chris Salans, it serves up delicious dishes marrying French skills with Balinese ingredients and flavours, including Indonesian and contemporary global offerings.
LOCAL BARS
For a casual drink with a very local feel make for Naughty Nuri's Warung and Grill, off Jalan Raya Sanggingan, a simple roadside shack-come-eatery that's a hit with expats for a casual beer or charcoal-grilled pork ribs. Don't expect frills.
Perched atop a river ridge, classically elegant Viceroy Bali boutique hotel near arty inland Ubud offers verdant vistas from its sublime infinity pool, spa or y...
