Travel expert Cyn (@simplycyn) tells Travel Noire about her stay at the picturesque Samsara Ubud in Bali, Indonesia.
When you start planning a trip to Bali, you will hear over and over again that while there are many sides to Bali, there are two types of Bali experiences. There is the party scene that is hip, vibrant, loud and alive-these terms are often used to describe Seminyak. And then there’s the more immersive, quieter, truer side of Bali, which will often be used to describe Ubud.
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Ubud has been described as the culture and heart of Bali, or better yet, the cultural heart of Bali. While Ubud lacks the overly busy and touristy atmosphere of Seminyak, don’t be fooled; it is quite clearly not a secret anymore. There are plenty of tourists flooding the markets and shops, especially along the main strip of Monkey Forest Road. So if you are indeed looking for a quiet escape, a temporary seclusion and an opportunity to get away from the noise, then you have to be especially strategic about your choice of hotel. Unlike the early 90’s when hotels were few and far between and when so few made the trip here, there are now hotels everywhere with many promising an experience that they may not be able to deliver on. Here’s how Samsara Ubud delivered on its promise for peace from the chaos.
LOCATION
Samsara Ubud is a brand new hotel. It only opened in October of 2017 and the location is set in the mountains and in the middle of lush greens and quiet breezes. It is located 20-minutes away from the center of Ubud which made for perfect scooter ride distance. Scooters were delivered upon request and for the times we didn’t want to get on a scooter, the hotel offered complimentary shuttles to and from the city center.
DESIGN
As I pulled into the hotel while driving through the narrow entrance, I got the feeling that there was so much more beyond the driveway. As you drive down to the main level, you arrive at an expansive, open-air lobby that looks out into the jungle. There was no standard reception and lobby and I don’t think I’ve ever had to be pulled away from a reception area. Electric white golf carts shuttle guests and their luggage to their villas, which are positioned at different levels of the mountain. The multi-level and layered architecture is a tribute to Bali’s centuries-old rice terraces, providing all villas with unobstructed views of the lush tropical jungle.
LIVING EXPERIENCE
While the large infinity pool is in every way amazing and a sight to see, I found that I spent just as much, if not more, time in the private pool that my villa and all villas on the property are fitted with. The days in Bali are hot, an intense heat and humidity that can give you the glow up or keep you at the beach all day. But nights are much cooler and a heated pool makes all the difference. I love when hotels think about all the details. The pool is a nifty highlight, but the rooms themselves have every comfort you need on a vacation including both an indoor and outdoor shower and a soaking tub in the bath. I can also definitely add the bed at the Samsara on my list of top 5 most comfy beds. At nighttime, you can create different moods by changing the light settings, including one really cool effect of lights under the bed that you have to see to appreciate.
FOOD
There was no shortage of amazing meals in Bali, but we knew we had something special when we consciously made sure to eat most of our meals at the Samsara’s restaurant called Kelusa. We kept returning not just for the food (especially the Nasi goreng which I had on the daily for breakfast) but also for the deep-seated comfy chairs on the wide terrace overlooking the jungle. It’s in those moments that you can reflect and think about why it is important to get away every now and then.
OVERALL
Priced at an affordable $175-$250/night for what you get, the Samsara wins high marks from me for being both stylish and authentic. This is a definite must-visit and an inspired choice if you’re traveling to Bali soon.
