Private abodes and glittering pools surrounded by emerald greenery – live it up in the jungle at the very best villas in Ubud!
Offering the best of Bali, Ubud is a one-stop destination worthy of a spot in your island itinerary. This peaceful neighbourhood is home to plenty of nature-hugged hotspots rich in art and culture– think yoga studios with panoramic rice terrace views, award-winning fine dining restaurants, luxurious jungle spas and epic hilltop bars. And while we love the picturesque beaches and trendy night clubs in the South, there’s nothing like a rejuvenating escape to the Ubud hills. Lucky for us, there’s plenty of stunning places to stay in Ubud, including luxury villas hidden in Ubud jungle. If you’re looking for a private stay with added VIP benefits (think “Tarzan and Jane”-esque romantic abodes or dreamy bamboo houses with endless jungle views), then these Ubud villas are for you.
THE 11 BEST VILLAS IN UBUD
1. Ubud Zen River House
Fit for solo travellers and couples looking for a romantic hideaway without breaking the bank, the Insta-famed Ubud Zen River House is a hidden gem where you can reconnect with nature. Your journey to Zen begins with a hike up the 50-flight stairway, but trust us when we say it’s oh-so worth it! You’ll find tranquillity in a loft-style studio abode with modern interior and floor-to-ceiling glass walls, allowing for a cosy, natural lighting. Don’t be fooled by its size – step inside the studio and you’re greeted with a spacious living room, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom with a natural stone tub, as well as a walk-in closet. Enjoy the lazy days tucked in the plush bed with a good book, or head outside to the yoga deck for a breezy session surrounded by lush tropical greenery. And if you’re up for a short adventure, go for a relaxing stroll through your own private path down to the nearby river.
2. Zen Hideaway
Home to the original jungle swing, Zen Hideaway is a world-renowned private accommodation overlooking Ubud’s verdant valley and the sparkling Ayung River. It’s a collection of two- to three-bedroom “huts” with thatched roofs, giving you a taste of village life. The 150-year old teak wood houses have been given a touch of simply elegant Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetics, each offering a spacious, open-plan living area for all day lounging, a breezy dining space complete with a fully-equipped kitchen, as well as cosy hammocks and hanging daybeds, and naturally lit master bedrooms. But our fave space has to be the spider web net, where you can get fully Zen, as you take in the uninterrupted views of rice fields, the nearby waterfall and the majestic Mount Agung.
3. Bedulu Cliff Estate
Perched by Petanu River is the luxurious Bedulu Cliff Estate. The estate is home to four- and five-bedroom villas standing side by side, offering an authentic Balinese experience in a tropical sanctuary. Each villa boasts vintage-style designs with industrial décor, from leather armchairs, velvety sofas and cushions in the open-air living room, to brick walls, wooden trinkets and soft lighting. The heart of the estate is the large, teak wood dining table that’s perfect for swapping and sharing with your family and friends. Step outside and you’re free to explore your own garden filled with emerald green rice paddies. Or, book a jungle adventure like sunrise mountain hikes and ATV rides. Not up for an adrenaline rush? Hit up the staff for in-villa yoga classes and spa treatments. Top tip: add on a breakfast spread made by the private chef, featuring a curated selection of Indonesian favourites, like sate lilit, soto ayam, beef rendang, banana fritters and more. There’s even Western and BBQ options, too!
4. Compass House
Designed by the world-renowned architect Alexis Dornier, Compass House is where nature meets modern arts. The exotic garden and surrounding rice fields offer the perfect contrast to the luxurious, two-storey villa. You’ll find four gorgeous en-suite bedrooms, a spacious kitchen and open-plan living and dining rooms – all decked with contemporary interiors and high-tech amenities. Taking centre stage is the swimming pool surrounded by sunbeds on the pool deck for all day dipping and sun-soaking. The main villa accommodates eight guests, while the separate pavilion (which was originally built as a music studio!) can fit two more guests. Psst… add on a private chef service, so you won’t have to leave your artsy villa.
5. Woywoy Tropical
You’ll spot this humble abode in the midst of rice fields and busy farmers. Woywoy Tropical is a three-bedroom villa designed for families and long term vacationers. Inspired by Ubud’s fertile soil, you’ll find splashes of warm earthy colours that bring serene nature inside. Take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool and work on your holiday tan on the sundeck that’s furnished with plush sunbeds and macrame umbrellas. Or enjoy the breeze from the dining and living room, where you can make use of the projector and large screen (hellooo movie nights!). After a whole day of Ubud adventure, get a quality bath time before retiring into your modern-meets-traditional Balinese style bedroom. Psst… you’ll want to time your stay during harvest season for a chance to get to know the local farmers and what they do best.
6. Haigha House
SO much more than just a rental villa, Haigha House is a home away from home nestled in the midst of Ubud’s lush jungles and rice paddies. This private, three-bedroom abode (deemed the Best Villa to Book in Bali 2022 by Conde Nast Traveller) gives you resort-style luxury in a stylish yet comfy industrial-chic home. It’s decked out with a fully equipped kitchen, an infinity pool overlooking the greenery (and Mount Batukaru on clear days!), a home spa with on-call massage therapists, and so much more. We say, nab the master bedroom – it’s equipped with an en-suite bathroom and vintage-style copper tub, plus your very own sunset-facing balcony. Bliss.
7. Villa Naga Putih
Just like its name, Villa Naga Putih (AKA white dragon) gives you an enchanting experience surrounded by tranquillity. The three-storey luxury villa combines elegance with comforting touches, to offer each guest a space they can call home. As you arrive, you’re greeted by the 13-metre infinity pool and a poolside gazebo that invites you to spend the lazy days under the sun. Step inside and you’ll find a home decked with contemporary designs and state-of-the-art essentials, like TV with Netflix in the media room, surround sound system in the living room, air-conditioning, and full kitchen equipment, to name a few. Settle into one of the four spacious bedrooms (each with an en-suite bathroom), before exploring the grounds or the sunny balcony. And to make your stay extra special, the staff goes above and beyond to give you top-notch add-on services, like airport transfers as well as arranging fun-filled tours and activities.
8. Senja Villa Ubud
A modern five-bedroom villa surrounded by rice paddies, Senja Villa Ubud merges luxury with village lifestyle. Each of the chic bedrooms is complete with an en-suite bathroom, a TV, air-conditioning, as well as a plush bed for a good night’s sleep. Enjoy breathtaking views of the emerald greenery by the swimming pool, or from inside your living room through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Make use of the state-of-the-art kitchen and the sleek dining area, or better yet ask the staff to arrange meals cooked by a professional chef. They can even arrange an al fresco yoga session in the shala by the rice fields, or an in-villa spa treatment in the dedicated spa room. As for our fave spot? The sunken poolside lounge, where you can chill by day and star-gaze by night.
9. Ceylon Villas
Ceylon Villas in Ubud is a collection of stylish, private one- and two-bedroom abodes just a short, five-minute drive from downtown. Hugged by a sea of rice paddies with Mount Agung in the background, your home away from home is decorated in natural earthy tones, bespoke furniture, woods and floor-to-ceiling glass doors. With the strategic location, you can spend the days exploring the ‘hood and day trip to surrounding villages, and come nightfall, enjoy a cosy evening in the spacious living room as the sounds of nature serenade you.
10. Black Penny Villas
Traditional villas in Ubud with a touch of elegance, Black Penny Villas offer SO much more than private accommodation. For starters, the all-villa resort is a luxurious playground, with 10 generously spread pool villas with panoramic views of Ubud’s lush landscape. You can easily lose yourself in the tranquillity, as each villa boasts a high-ceiling living room and bedroom showcasing Balinese craftsmanship, a peaceful terrace with an outdoor bathtub, an infinity pool, as well as all of the modern amenities and professional services for your convenience (hellooo Netflix movie night and on-call butler!). If you can get away from your villa, spare some time to indulge in Indonesian and international cuisines at the restaurant pavilion, hit up the staff to arrange excursions like white water rafting and riverside trekking, or impress your Honey with a romantic candlelight dinner beneath the stars…
11. Bali Flow House
Another architectural venture by Alexis Dornier, Bali Flow House gives you a taste of living “inside a musical instrument”. True to its design inspiration, Flow House is a creative house that enhances visual and audio experience, by using strategic shapes and building materials, as well as surrounding nature. The three-bedroom villa welcomes artists, musicians and art enthusiasts alike with a large amphitheatre-style living area with the best sunrise views, a sharing space to exchange ideas, as well as three communal decks built to mix and mingle. Take in the fresh air by the swimming pool that’s hugged by a lush tropical garden, and as the sky turns candy coloured, settle into your master bedroom and bask in the golden rays from the privacy of your own patio.
Love this list of the best villas in Ubud? For more jungle stay inspo, check out Ubud’s best resorts and hotels for every budget!
