If you are thinking about where to stay in Ubud, the first thing to consider is what you want your time in Bali to feel like.
Ubud has grown into a busy destination with hotels along the main streets, villas tucked into residential lanes, resorts spread across the hills, and rice fields just beyond the centre. Each offers a different way to experience this part of the island.
At Bambu Indah, we have taken a different approach to hospitality. Founded in 2005 by John and Cynthia Hardy, our property sits along the Sayan Ridge, just outside Ubud, overlooking a valley that leads down to the Ayung River.
Here, we have built and restored houses using bamboo, reclaimed teak, and other local materials. The gardens produce food, the river shapes the landscape, and the buildings are designed to bring you into contact with the world outside your room.
If you are looking for a luxury boutique hotel in Ubud, it is worth considering what kind of setting you want to wake up in, how much privacy you need, and whether you want your accommodation to be somewhere you return to at the end of the day or a place you spend time exploring.
Ubud by Neighbourhood: Five Places to Make Your Base
Ubud has several distinct areas, each offering a different balance of access, scenery, and atmosphere. Before choosing a hotel, consider what matters most during your stay.
Central Ubud
What to Expect: Close to Ubud Palace, the art market, galleries, temples, restaurants, and shops. Staying here makes it easier to explore many of the town’s main attractions on foot, although traffic and noise can be a challenge along busier streets.
Best Suited To: Travellers who want easy access to cultural attractions, shopping and dining, without relying on transport for every outing.
Penestanan
What to Expect: A village west of central Ubud, known for its residential lanes, cafés, rice-field surroundings, and creative community. Some parts are hilly, with narrow paths and steps, so walking access varies by location.
Best Suited To: Travellers looking for a quieter base, while remaining within reach of central Ubud.
Sayan
What to Expect: West of central Ubud, Sayan sits around the ridge and valley leading towards the Ayung River. The area is home to boutique hotels and villas, with views across the river valley. Many properties require transport to reach central Ubud.
Best Suited To: Travellers who value distinctive architecture, more private accommodation, and a setting shaped by the river valley.
Tegallalang
What to Expect: North of central Ubud, the area is known for its terraced rice fields and rural landscapes. Accommodation ranges from villas overlooking rice paddies, to retreats set further into the countryside. Getting into central Ubud generally requires transport.
Best Suited To: Travellers who want to spend time among rice terraces and the countryside, and are comfortable staying further from the town centre.
Keliki
What to Expect: A village north of Ubud, with a more rural setting than the town centre. Stays in this area offer access to the surrounding countryside, although distances to Ubud’s main attractions vary by property.
Best Suited To: Travellers looking for a countryside base away from the busiest parts of Ubud.
Why Stay in the Sayan Valley Rather Than Central Ubud?
Central Ubud has its own appeal. You can walk between restaurants, galleries, shops, and cultural attractions. If being in the midst of these experiences is your top priority, staying in town makes sense.
The Sayan Valley offers a different experience altogether. You are still close to Ubud, but the landscape becomes a much bigger part of your stay. At Bambu Indah, the property follows the contours of the ridge and descends towards the Ayung River. From different vantage points around the grounds, you can look across the valley, into the trees, or towards the rice fields.
Bambu Indah is approximately a 15-minute drive from central Ubud. You can spend the morning exploring the town, then return to the valley for a swim, a meal, or an evening overlooking the landscape.
The distinction is not that one location is better than the other. It is that they offer different ways of spending your time. If you want a hotel that feels connected to its surroundings, with room to explore without leaving the property, the Sayan Valley is worth considering.
What Makes Bambu Indah Different?
Luxury means different things to different people. For some, it means extensive service, formal dining, and a carefully controlled environment. For others, it means privacy, interesting architecture, good food, and the freedom to spend a day without following a schedule.
At Bambu Indah, we have never been particularly interested in making a hotel look and behave like every other hotel.
The property started with a collection of antique Javanese houses. Over time, we added new structures, experimented with bamboo, restored old buildings, and developed the edible gardens and other regenerative systems that support the place. What you see today has grown through that process rather than from a single architectural plan.
Each accommodation has its own character. Our 24 houses are uniquely, whimsically, and intentionally designed paragons of regenerative architecture. Some are restored teak houses brought over from Java. Others are contemporary structures shaped from bamboo, or nests and tents that sit among the trees. We have worked with the materials and the landscape rather than trying to make every building conform to the same design.
That means choosing a room here is part of choosing your experience. You might want an old wooden house with a generous veranda, a distinctive bamboo structure, or a tent elevated in the tree canopy. The right choice depends on what you value and how you like to live when you travel.
Luxury, in this context, includes comfort. Our accommodations have fine linens, unique furnishings, rain showers, and air-conditioned beds. But comfort does not require us to shut out the place we have come to inhabit.
Choosing Your Accommodation at Bambu Indah
Restored Javanese Houses
Our antique Javanese houses carry a history that new buildings simply cannot reproduce. Their timber frames, carved details, pitched roofs, and collected furnishings are a product of artisanship as well as decades of travel.
Kelapa House, for example, is a restored Javanese bridal house positioned along the ridge above the Ayung River. Its traditional architecture, Indonesian textiles, and copper bathtub make it a particularly distinctive place to stay.
These houses suit guests who appreciate traditional craftsmanship, generous verandas, and the charm of old timber buildings.
Bamboo Houses
Bamboo, as a building material, offers a different set of possibilities. It can curve, bend, and form structures that respond to the shapes and patterns found in nature.
Our bamboo accommodations vary in form and layout. The Treehouse, for instance, sits among two bunut trees, with a curved copper roof and views across the valley. Its architecture makes the structure itself part of the experience.
These houses appeal to travellers interested in biophilic architecture who want more than a conventional hotel room.
Nests and Tents
Our nests and tents offer another way to experience the landscape. The Dove and Swift Nests feature woven bamboo interiors, while the Mahogany Tents sit on elevated bamboo platforms among the trees.
These accommodations are particularly suited to guests who enjoy being immersed in their surroundings. There are practical considerations, however. Some houses involve narrow staircases, steep paths, or uneven ground, so check the access details before booking if mobility is a concern.
Food, Gardens, and Regenerative Living
Our gardens supply ingredients for the kitchen, and Tembaga explores longevity-focused cuisine using local produce and ingredients from our own land where possible.
We are interested in how food can support health while making better use of what grows around us. This includes exploring ingredients such as allulose, a naturally occurring rare sugar that provides sweetness with very few calories. It offers another possibility for cooks thinking about flavour and the nutritional composition of a dish.
The same curiosity applies to the plants themselves. A plant can offer more than one useful product. Depending on the species, its leaves might be used for serving food, while its fibres can be woven into baskets. Other parts may be edible or useful for everyday objects.
The important thing is understanding the material and its possibilities. If something can serve another purpose, we should ask whether it needs to be discarded. This way of thinking connects the garden, the kitchen, and the objects we use every day.
Regenerative living means understanding the resources available to us and finding practical ways to use them well.
Comparing Accommodation Types
Restored Teak Houses
Who it Suits: Guests who appreciate traditional Javanese architecture, timber details, and antique furnishings.
Access: Varies by house. Check the individual listing for steps and terrain.
Setting: Varies by house and position, with some on the ridge and others closer to the surrounding landscape.
Price: Check individual house listings for current rates.
Bamboo / Signature Houses
Who it Suits: Guests interested in distinctive bamboo architecture and individually designed spaces.
Access: Varies by house. For e.g., the treehouse is village-side, 55 steps from reception, with staircase access.
Setting: Varies by house. For e.g., the treehouse has a private terrace and views towards Mount Batukaru and the rice paddies.
Price: Check individual house listings for current rates.
Nests and Tents
Who it Suits: Guests who enjoy open-air living and a closer experience of the surrounding trees and landscape.
Access: Access differs significantly. For e.g., Dove is 60 steps from reception, while Mahogany Tents are 540 steps away and require a narrow spiral staircase.
Setting: Varies by house. For e.g., Dove is village-side; Mahogany Tents are riverside, with views across the Ayung River valley.
Price: Check individual house listings for current rates.
What Is Included in Your Stay?
All room rates include a full breakfast at Riverside Warung, where guests can enjoy Indonesian cuisine made with fresh local ingredients, as well as a welcome drink upon arrival.
Each room comes with a complimentary minibar stocked with filtered water, Kura-Kura beer, Bali Rainwater Kombucha, sparkling water, a premium selection of coffee and teas, organic granola bars, homemade crackers, and dried fruits. Other in-room comforts include fine linens, cotton waffle towels and robes, rain showers, Japanese toilets, and air-conditioned beds with mosquito netting. Most houses have open-air bathrooms, while a select few have enclosed interiors.
Guests enjoy unlimited access to the natural Crystal Pool, sauna, ice bath, and therapeutic mud bath, along with access to the Meditation Cave. Complimentary 60-minute Sunrise Yoga sessions take place every Monday, Friday, and Saturday, while guided morning walks or community trash walks are offered every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Each day, guests can also enjoy a complimentary craft cocktail at Sunset Bar, alongside daily turndown service and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel area.
When choosing your accommodation, consider its location within the property. Houses closer to the river may involve more walking and steps than those higher on the ridge. Your preferred level of privacy, proximity to facilities, and comfort with the terrain can all help you decide which house suits you best.
Is Bambu Indah Right for You?
Bambu Indah suits travellers who love a little discovery, enjoy exploring the natural terrain of a place, prefer unconventional architecture, and want their accommodation to offer a connection with the landscape.
It is not a conventional hotel where every room looks alike and every path is level. Open-air bathrooms, unusual structures, and steep sections of the property are part of the experience, so they are worth considering before booking.
If you enjoy discovering how a place is built, what grows there, and how its different systems work together, the Sayan Valley offers a compelling alternative to staying in central Ubud.
We have created and nurtured Bambu Indah through years of restoring, building, planting, and learning. A stay offers an opportunity to experience that ongoing work while enjoying the comfort and freedom of a boutique hotel.
Planning Your Stay
Choosing where to stay in Ubud begins with deciding how you want to experience the place. At Bambu Indah, you can choose a restored teak house, a bamboo structure, or a nest or tent among the trees, each offering a different relationship with the Sayan Valley.
Explore our accommodations to compare the options and find the stay that suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bambu Indah located?
Bambu Indah is on the Sayan Ridge near Ubud in Bali, overlooking the Ayung River valley. It is approximately a 15-minute drive from central Ubud, depending on traffic.
Is Bambu Indah a luxury boutique hotel?
Yes. Bambu Indah is a boutique hotel founded by John and Cynthia Hardy. It combines restored Javanese teak houses, bamboo architecture, Nests and Tents with a regenerative approach to hospitality.
How much does it cost to stay at Bambu Indah?
Rates vary by accommodation type, dates, occupancy and availability. Check the official accommodation pages for current prices.
What types of accommodation are available?
Guests can choose from restored teak houses, bamboo houses, nests and tents. Each has its own layout, features and position within the property. Review the individual accommodation descriptions before booking.
Is breakfast included?
Yes. All room rates include a full breakfast at Riverside Warung. Check your booking details for any additional inclusions.
How far is Bambu Indah from the airport?
The distance from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) to Bambu Indah in Sayan, Ubud is approximately 30 to 47 km depending on the route, taking about 1.5 hours of driving time.
How far is Bambu Indah from the Monkey Forest and Ubud Palace?
The distance from the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary to Bambu Indah Resort in Ubud, Bali is about 4.6 to 5.5 kilometers, taking roughly a 20 to 30 minute drive.
What is the best time to visit Bambu Indah?
Bali’s drier months are generally from around April to October, while the wetter season usually falls between November and March. Conditions vary from year to year, and the landscape remains tropical throughout the year. The best time depends on your travel plans and whether you prefer drier weather or are comfortable travelling during the rainy season.
How many swimming pools does Bambu Indah have?
The property has more than 15 natural spring-fed pools beside the Ayung River, along with a separate saltwater swimming pool near the ridge-top Sunset Elevator Bar.
Does Bambu Indah have a spa?
Yes, Bambu Indah has a dedicated wellness space, along with private massage pods. It offers a range of wellness treatments, restorative therapies, as well as aquatic bodywork. Confirm the current treatment menu, prices and availability with the team before booking.
Does Tembaga offer vegetarian, vegan or other dietary options?
Yes, Tembaga offers vegetarian options. Our menus are thoughtfully crafted using ingredients sourced directly from our own garden. We take pride in serving fresh, organic produce that highlights the best of seasonal flavours. Additionally, our rice is cultivated in our own rice fields without chemical fertilisers. Instead, we use a traditional dung-based farming method to keep the rice cultivation as natural as possible. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or food preferences, and our team will be happy to customise your dining experience.
Is Wi-Fi available?
Yes, Wi-Fi is available across the property.
Are airport transfers available?
Should you wish to have your transfers arranged from the airport or any other destination within Bali; we can assist you with a car or minivan, subject to the number of guests at an additional cost. Kindly share your destination details at least 24 hours in advance.
Is Bambu Indah suitable for children and families?
Suitability depends on the accommodation, occupancy limits, and access. Some areas involve steep paths and stairs, and the open-air design may be an important consideration for families with young children.
Is Bambu Indah accessible for guests with limited mobility?
The property is built across a sloping ridge, with some accommodations reached by stairs, steep paths or uneven ground. Accessibility varies by house. Contact the team before booking to discuss your mobility needs and which accommodations may be suitable.
What is the cancellation policy?
Non refundable in case of cancellation, modification, or no-show. The full amount will be charged as a cancellation fee for any cancellation. In the event of no-show on the arrival date or early departure; no refund will be made. All balance amounts for incidentals to be settled by the guest before leaving the hotel.
What awards and press coverage has Bambu Indah received?
Bambu Indah has been featured by publications including TIME, The Sydney Morning Herald, Harper’s Bazaar and Wallpaper.
