Amandari5

Hotel Amandari is a living legend of Ubud, recreating the atmosphere of a traditional Balinese village on the edge of a picturesque gorge of the Ayung River. Guests rave about the deep immersion in nature and the unparalleled personalisation of the famous Aman service, where staff anticipate every wish before it is even spoken. At the same time, the resort, which opened in 1989, does not hide its age: some villas suffer from the humid tropical climate, and the overall infrastructure lags behind modern high-tech hotels. This place is made for those seeking seclusion, silence and the authentic ‘old money’ aesthetic, not ultra-modern technological glitter.

Key Observations

Legendary level of care: The hotel staff know every guest by name and instantly respond to any request via WhatsApp — from setting up the TV to calling a barber. One guest noted that upon departure, hotel staff accompanied him at the airport right up to the security screening area.

Authentic village atmosphere: The grounds are designed to resemble a hidden Balinese settlement, with stone pathways, thatched roofs and local children learning traditional dances in the pavilion by the lotus pond.

Natural soundscape: The roofs made of alang-alang grass create an amazing acoustic effect, allowing you to fall asleep to the natural sounds of the jungle, creating the sensation of sleeping outdoors.

Challenges of the humid climate: Several independent guests point to a persistent musty smell in the two-storey suites (duplexes) and the general wear and tear of some interior elements.

Main Pros

• Impeccable, unobtrusive service and genuine hospitality that leaves you feeling as if you are staying with close friends.
• The highest level of privacy thanks to high walls around the villas.
• A panoramic infinity pool with a stunning view of the Ayung River valley and jungle.
• Generous gifts upon check-in and check-out (traditional sarongs, woven bags, carved wooden souvenirs and volcanic stone bracelets).
• Complimentary unlimited shuttle service around Ubud at any time.

Main Cons

• Presence of mould and damp smell in some two-storey villas.
• Outdated technical equipment in rooms and plumbing compared to new five-star resorts.
• Lengthy refund of security deposit (guests note it can take up to 14 working days).
• Inflated prices for extra services and excursions (for example, during a temple tour booked through the hotel, the guide persistently took tourists to souvenir shops).

Overall Grade: A-

Hotel Overview

Basic Information:

• Name — Amandari
• Address — Jl. Raya Kedewatan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Gianyar, Bali, 80571, Indonesia
• Contact details — phone: (62) 361 975 333
• Year opened — 1989
• Number of rooms — 30
• Positioning and category — five-star ultra-luxury resort in traditional Balinese style, secluded jungle retreat

Description: The concept of Amandari is built around harmony with nature and integration into the local community. The resort was designed by the famous architect Peter Muller in the form of a traditional Balinese village with river-stone pathways and shrines. The room rate includes personal butler service, daily afternoon tea with traditional sweets (e.g., luk-luk), unlimited resort shuttle trips to Ubud centre, as well as regular cultural activities on the premises.

Target Audience: Affluent travellers, lovers of peace and quiet, yoga enthusiasts and those who appreciate authentic Balinese cultural heritage, as well as devoted fans of the Aman brand (“Aman junkies”), who are willing to pay for flawless personal service and historic charm.

Location & Transport

Location: The hotel is perched atop a steep gorge above the Ayung River, in the quiet area of Kedewatan, a few kilometres northwest of central Ubud. The surrounding area is dense jungle and emerald rice terraces. The only downside of the location is the famous Ubud traffic jams when getting onto the main roads.

Key Points of Interest: The drive to central Ubud, the Royal Palace and the market takes about 10–15 minutes by car. Access to the Ayung River is right at the bottom of the hill — guests can descend the steps to the water directly from the property.

Transport: The hotel offers complimentary round-the-clock shuttle service within Ubud, as well as well-organised airport transfers both ways.

Walkability: Walks beyond the hotel lead to picturesque rice fields and quiet village lanes, but walking to Ubud centre is difficult due to the lack of pavements on busy roads.

Grade: A

Rooms & Cleanliness

The rooms are spacious villas with thatched roofs. Interiors are decorated using precious woods, coconut fibre and marble. The highlight of the rooms are the outdoor bathtubs surrounded by flowers and private pools. Housekeeping is unobtrusively carried out several times a day. However, during the rainy season, some rooms (especially the two-storey ones) feel very humid, and the condition of the furniture betrays the hotel’s age.

Grade: B

Service

The service at Amandari is the benchmark of hospitality. The staff, including General Manager Tshewang Norbu and Resort Manager I Made, do everything to make guests feel at home. Preferences are remembered from the first day (for example, breakfast preferences or allergen intolerances). Any practical issue is resolved in seconds. The only weak point is the night security at the gate, which one guest complained about for their unfriendly tone.

Grade: A+

Dining

The property has one semi-open restaurant and a pool bar. The menu offers Balinese, Indonesian and Western cuisine. Guests especially praise the Balinese oxtail soup (sup buntut) and the slow-braised pork ribs. Daily by the pool, a complimentary afternoon tea with local desserts is served, which are prepared right in front of you. The chef easily adapts the menu to any dietary restrictions.

Grade: A

Facilities & Amenities

The crowning glory of the resort is the panoramic infinity pool, hovering over the jungle, where guests are immediately presented with cold towels, drinks and frozen grapes. There are also open-air spa pavilions by the pond, a tennis court draped in purple morning glory, a library, a gym and a trekking trail to the river. All facilities are kept in good condition, although they are more modest in scale compared to gigantic modern resorts.

Grade: B+

Important Notes

• Be prepared for a lengthy deposit refund process (up to two weeks).
• During the wet season (November to March), encounters with tropical insects outdoors are possible, although rooms are equipped with effective mosquito nets and insect repellent spirals are regularly lit.
• Villa No. 30 can be noisy in the mornings due to its proximity to service areas.

Practical Tips for Guests

• When booking, give preference to single-storey suites (e.g., Amandari Suite or Valley View Suite) — they have better air circulation and the musty smell issue typical of two-storey villas is less common.
• Be sure to try the traditional dessert luk-luk (Luk Luk) during the complimentary afternoon tea by the pool.
• Take the walking trail leading from the bar down to the Ayung River — it’s a scenic and secluded route that lets you experience the true nature of Bali.
• Instead of the hotel’s paid excursions, which sometimes suffer from unscheduled stops at tourist shops, it’s better to simply ask your hotel driver to take you to the nearby rice terraces for an independent walk.

Final Verdict

Amandari is the embodiment of graceful ageing and impeccable service, capable of providing an unforgettable secluded escape amid the Ubud jungle, if you are willing to forgive its minor technical imperfections and high cost.

Overall Grade: A-

Breakdown: Location: A | Rooms: B | Service: A+ | Dining: A | Facilities: B+ | Value for Money: B

Best for: Seekers of peace and quiet, connoisseurs of flawless personal service, lovers of Balinese culture and romantic couples.

Not for: Fans of ultra-modern high-tech design, loud entertainment and those who expect immaculate newness of interiors for a high price.