This was our second visit to The Udaya within the last 9 months, and it's safe to say that the entire team has outdone themselves both times. There are so many beautiful places to stay when visiting Ubud, however Udaya stood out to us as the resort is located just outside of the hustle and bustle of the busy city centre.
Everything from our initial booking request, to the moment we left was met with absolute ease. With this visit being extra special as we were celebrating our baby moon, the team took their service to the next level. We were welcomed to a beautiful Jungle Suite (which I highly recommend, as you have your own private pool encased in lush greenery and a stone outdoor bath which is great to warm up in when/if it rains without having to go inside). The room was decorated with rose petals on the bed and an incredibly thoughtful note on our mirror - such a nice touch!
We opted for the included breakfast, which is worth its weight in gold. The restaurant has a beautiful variety of Western and Indonesian cuisines to choose from, along with a buffet of pastries and delicious fresh fruit. If you're breakfast people, you cannot go wrong here.
A special shoutout to Budi and Gavin for the beautiful "welcome home". Gavin went out of his way to proactively make us feel welcome (i.e. placing extra mangosteens in our room because he knows we love them - noted from our last stay, and extra beach towels and water). The fact that he remembered us was so lovely and unexpected. His kind and genuine personality is one of many beautiful heartbeats of The Udaya - making us feel as though we were staying at a family member's house instead of a resort...one of the many reasons we decided to come back.
Another highlight was our cooking class with Supartika: the chefs were happy to personalize the menu to ensure it was pregnancy safe and I so deeply appreciated that. We had a really fun afternoon putting together a delicious traditional Indonesian meal guided by his culinary expertise.
We aren't typically excursion people, however, this time around we wanted to pay and extra special visit to the water temple to bless our unborn baby. Again, Gavin caught wind that this was something we were interested in and seamlessly arranged for a 4 hour tour with the wonderful Putra. An honourable mention is well deserved for Putra, as he picked us up from the airport and made our half day excursion one to remember. As an Ubud native, he's full of knowledge and is a great conversationalist. His positive attitude really makes him stand out, and we were grateful for all of our interactions with him.
Last but not least, the Deeva restaurant staff... what a wonderful group of humans. In no particular order thank you to: Suitri, Dewi, Nari, Satria, Dek Na and the talented kitchen crew who remembered our orders from our previous visit, fed us, and took extra care in ensuring I wasn't eating too much spicy food (because it's not good for the baby hahaha). Every meal felt like chatting with family members. We so appreciate you all (and we apologize for the names we did not mention).
The people of Udaya make the place, however, I can speak to the amenities as well. The beds + linens are incredibly comfortable, the rooms are equipped with a flat screen smart TV, the pool (both the one connected to our room and the main pool) are very clean and maintained daily, and room service is only a call away. We really love their gym and yoga hut, as it's a great place relax or get a quick workout in. They also have a free shuttle that leaves every hour for drop off and pick up in Ubud's centre which is a really nice touch. Honestly, this resort is a place of tranquility, luxury, and true Balinese hospitality all wrapped up into a natural oasis of happiness. If you're looking to be left better than when you arrived, please visit The Udaya, and enjoy all that there is to offer.
Thank you again for the memorable experience everyone and we can't wait...
Read moreThis past October my Husband and I went on our honeymoon the day after our wedding! While we may not suggest going the next day, we do not regret anything about our trip whatsoever. We originally thought we wanted to go to Hawaii (which we still do) but we got a lot more bang for our buck in Bali as the USD goes a long way there. We saw another gay couple post about their trip here, so we felt safe enough after we touched base with them. This heaven on earth resort was our home for a week and (since we $plurged a little for our honeymoon) we booked our very own pool villa. We arrived pretty late at night, so it was very dark once we got to the resort. It was a bit of a hike from the airport, but we wanted to stay more inland and central of the island to make traveling to different areas of Bali a little easier. But when we walked into our room we had a gorgeous floral bath ready for us, a chilled bottle of Rose, and some delicious desserts to enjoy and attempt to recover from JETLAG, AS IT IS VERY REAL.
The "celebration of flowers" (which you do have to book if interested) was so whimsical and fragrant, I felt like a little kid fulfilling some sort of fun fantasy haha. It was the perfect start to a perfect trip. And yes, it was actually a lot easier than you think to slip into the tub without ruining the ornate pattern of the flower petals. And after the photo opps were taken, it was fun to mess it all up! 🤣
Needless to say, we slept really good that night! When we woke up, the sun was out and we were excited to see Bali in the daylight. We obviously had to try on the robes, slippers, and test out our private pool.
After we made some coffee in the room, we threw on some clothes and went upstairs to the restaurant area. Breakfast is included with your stay here, and everything is delicious! You get a plate of fruit or yogurt to start, a basket of baked goods, an entree (like eggs, french toast, etc.), and of course fresh fruit juice (and/or coffee)!
There's an especially amazing view of the resort from here too, like something from a dream! The pool was gorgeous and a calming place to lay by or on one of the chairs in the water and read a book.
We made sure to pencil in a day to just hang out at the resort. Udaya is a Spa as well, so we did get a couples massage. They serve you warm tea as you wait to be escorted to your room. Once in your room, they have you get undressed and place yourself on the table. They knock to see when you're all ready. My SO passed out so hard during the massage, he didn't even wake up when they slapped the bottom of your feet (part of the massage we chose) which gave me and the other two masseuses a good chuckle 😂😴. It was incredibly soothing and we both just felt extremely comfortable here. The hospitality and, obviously, the ambiance is something to admire. The staff is eager to help and there's always somebody at the front desk at any hour of the day or night!
Prior to booking, we heard about the private sunset candlelit dinner for two on the roof of the resort. Which sounds amazing, right? So, naturally, we booked it one night towards the end of our stay. I honestly didn't think The Udaya could get much better at this point, but this was truly the icing on the cake. Our server was so kind and attentive, every dish was delicious, our wine was chilled, and the view was breathtaking. The perfect end to a...
Read moreImagine this: you’re lying by a private pool, the sun is shining, and you’re serenaded by the gentle sounds of nature and trickling water. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, pinch yourself because this was our reality for 10 glorious days at The Udaya Resort.
From the moment we arrived, we were treated like long-lost royalty. Every time you arrive, whether it's your first visit or your tenth, they greet you with a heartfelt "welcome home." And honestly, it felt like the home I never wanted to leave. The staff here are phenomenal – if kindness were currency, the staff at The Udaya would be billionaires. My wife and I felt like we had stumbled into a fairytale, complete with the most charming hosts.
We splurged on a pool villa, and it was worth every penny. Floating in our own private pool, surrounded by lush greenery, was the epitome of luxury. The biggest decision we had to make was whether to have another nap or get a massage. Speaking of massages, we indulged so much that by the end of the trip, I felt like a very happy, very relaxed wet noodle. Seriously, their spa team has hands of magic – they kneaded and pampered us into a state of blissful oblivion.
Our mornings were spent zipping around the breathtaking countryside on a scooter we rented from across the street. Dodging potholes and waving at friendly locals, we explored the rice terraces that looked like they were straight out of a movie. Every turn revealed another jaw-dropping view, and I’m pretty sure we took enough photos to fill an entire hard drive.
While every single staff member we encountered was wonderful, we have to give special mention to three amazing individuals: Suitri, Wika, and Dewi. These legends went above and beyond to make our trip unforgettable. They always had a smile on their faces and seemed to know what we needed before we even asked. We can’t thank them enough for their kindness and dedication. It's impossible to name everyone, but the entire team deserves all the praise for making our stay so special.
Afternoons were dedicated to serious relaxation by the pool, accompanied by the soothing symphony of nature. It was the perfect way to unwind after our morning adventures. We quickly settled into a blissful routine of explore, relax, repeat. I drank many, many Singaraja beers by the pool, which only added to the joy and relaxation of our afternoons.
The Udaya Resort is more than just a place to stay; it’s an experience that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. The region is stunning, the people are the kindest you’ll ever meet, and the memories we made here will last a lifetime. And remember, if you can, tip your hosts generously. A little bit from you can go a long way in Bali and mean the world to these wonderful people working hard to make your holiday memorable.
So, if you’re looking for a holiday that’s equal parts luxury, adventure, and relaxation, look no further. The Udaya Resort is your ticket to paradise. We can’t wait to return and do it all over again. Huge thanks to the incredible team for making our stay so special – you guys...
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