Bountiful Bali: Three luxury stays on the Island of the Gods
This feature was originally published in TTG Luxury
Hanging Gardens of Bali
Sitting 40 minutes outside of Ubud, deep in the Balinese rainforest, Hanging Gardens of Bali is a hotel for romantics, adventurers and nature lovers. You won’t want to leave this little slice of paradise, far enough away from the hustle of Ubud but still within easy reach of Bali’s cultural heart.
Arrival is seamless with check in handled by efficient staff. Guests are whisked down to private villas by a charming funicular, offering far-reaching views of the spectacular jungle setting. My one-bedroom Riverside Pool Villa boasted a private outdoor infinity pool complete with gazebo, double sun bed, separate sun loungers and outside kitchenette for morning coffee. Generous master bedrooms are furnished with authentic Balinese furniture, locally spun silks, natural cottons and vast bathrooms with a shower and indulgent sunken bath. A huge window at the end of the bed perfectly frames the jungle – it’s like an ever-changing artwork featuring resident monkeys and endless rainforest.
Guests can also check into a Panoramic Pool Villa, Two-Bedroom Pool Villa or take over the Hidden Palace – a 2,000 sqm villa with five luxurious suites, outdoor terraces, private chef, 24-hour butler, in-villa spa treatments and curated dining experiences.
Relaxation comes easy here. There’s daily yoga, spa treatments and wellness journeys at the Spa by the River, set along the sacred banks of the Ayung River. Deeply rooted in Balinese belief, the spa experience honours the island's spiritual connection to water as a symbol of purification and renewal. Treatments are designed to cleanse and revitalise, drawing on the sacred tradition of Tirta - holy water used for purification in Balinese ceremonies.
But it’s the pool that really steals the show. The iconic cascading two-tiered infinity pool is a calming place to relax and unwind. Designed by architects William Warren and John Pettigrew the pool gives guests the sensation of being suspended in mid-air high above the trees. Private candlelight dinners in a pavilion suspended over the pool can be arranged for guests looking to dial up the romance.
Breakfast and dinner is served al fresco at the elegant Three Elements Restaurant. Offering classics like steak and burgers there’s also lobster ravioli, baked king river prawn and local specialties on the menu. High Tea is a grand affair with an interesting selection of Balinese bites and speciality teas served on the pleasant outdoor terrace.
An early morning bike ride through rice paddies and villages offers a glimpse of local life. Or trek to the heart of the jungle to the wild and sacred Dalem Segara Temple where you’ll be blessed by a revered Mangku and take part in a holy spring purification ritual or serene meditation session. Just some of the experiences the hotel can book for guests.
Hanging Gardens of Bali is perfect for honeymooners and guests looking for an authentic Balinese escape – something that’s increasingly hard to find on Bali. My only regret is that I couldn’t stay longer.
COMO Uma Canggu
Recommending a hotel in Bali’s over-saturated market can be tricky but after a stay at COMO Uma Canggu, I’d happily recommend booking a stay here. Located in the marginally less crowded part of Canggu, COMO Uma Canggu is a beachfront property with 119 rooms, two swimming pools and COMO Shambhala wellness spa. The chic, contemporary design is a collaboration between Japanese-born designer Koichiro Ikebuchi and Milan-based designer Paola Navone.
We stayed in two One-Bedroom Seaview Residences – the ideal option if you’re travelling with teenagers. There’s a panoramic wrap around balcony, separate lounge area with sea views, comfortable bedroom with super soft cotton bed linen, sizeable kitchenette area and bathroom with double sinks, bathtub and rainfall shower. The hotel also offers 12 three-bedroom duplex COMO Penthouses with rooftop pools and private butler services. Colour palettes and design are in keeping with COMO’s philosophy of understated elegance and sharp, clean design aesthetics.
Daily life revolves around the quietly cool COMO Beach Club – this is where you’ll enjoy generous daily breakfasts, a unique COMO Culinary Odyssey experience and evening sundowners watching the crowds as they headed to Megada beach for the perfect sunset shot – a short walk along the seafront. COMO Beach Club offers an eclectic global menu serving well-executed dishes, live acoustic music an DJ sets. There’s also surfboard hire for guests who want to take advantage of the hotel’s surf-side location and access to some of the island’s best surfing beaches.
Children are well catered for, with archery in the garden, Turtle Club by Tropic Surf – COMO’s specialised learn-to-surf children’s programme for ages six to 12 – and popular kid’s club that gives parents some light relief. Adults looking for maximum relaxation should book a signature COMO Shambhala Massage; my treatment was the ideal way to end to my trip before heading back to the UK.
What really stood out for me here was the staff. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, they couldn’t do enough for us. It felt like they genuinely cared about their guests. And in a world where so many hotels get staffing wrong, this has never been so important.
www.comohotels.com/en/umacanggu
Six Senses Uluwatu
Perched on the cliffs along Bali’s southernmost tip, Six Senses Uluwatu is a place where guests come to reconnect and rediscover a slower pace of life. Wellness is integrated into every part of the Six Senses experience, attracting honeymooners, couples and guests who value locally sourced food, elevated spa experiences and a calm escape from Uluwatu’s scooter-clogged peninsula.
There are 28 Sky Suites and Penthouses, 75 Cliff Pool Villas as well as The Retreat and Presidential Villa. I stayed at the top of the resort in a Cliff Pool Villa – the hotel can add extra beds for families. Inspired by Balinese architecture and traditional village homes, the detached villas are spacious with some welcome design touches including an indoor/outdoor shower and private plunge pool with sea views. Interiors are classic Balinese teak with azure blues, corals and creams making the rooms feel warm and welcoming.
The roads around the resort are steep so guests with mobility issues may prefer to catch a ride with the frequent buggies that service the hotel. Steps meander through the centre of resort, taking guests from the top of the reception area all the way to the bottom revealing the show-stopping infinity pool boasting mesmerising views of the Indian Ocean. There’s no beach access but you don’t miss it with a pool this good.
This is where I enjoyed long lunches by the pool – food at The Cliff Bar is excellent and was delivered straight to my sun lounger by staff who are eager to please. Breakfast at Rocka was busy, which affected service at times. Dinner was a calmer affair with a thoughtful menu inspired by local flavours from Nusantara – a Javanese term for the outer islands of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Watu Steakhouse caters for more international guests looking for premium steaks, lobster and black cod fillet.
You can’t stay here without experiencing the Six Senes Spa. It’s a well-thought-out complex with a welcome lounge, eight treatment rooms, relaxation area, indoor fitness centre and yoga and meditation pavilion. Friendly therapists delivered my Signature Balinese Massage with skill and precision.
Children are catered for with a kid’s pool, Cinema Under the Stars, organic farm tour and yoga. Bigger kids may prefer to take a tour of Uluwatu in an authentic WW2 Kübelwagen or enjoy dinner at the Chef’s Table.