Senetan Villas & Spa Resort

Owned by the Balinese royal family, the Senetan Villas & Spa Resort is a 20-minute drive out of the touristic bustle of Ubud in an almost implausibly tranquil forest setting where privacy is king. Accommodation comes in the form of spacious, contemporary villas, each shielded by high screening walls and rows of enormous banana plants. Rooms’ floor-to-ceiling windows overlook private pools, outdoor dining areas, and sun decks, in turn offering views of thick, cascading jungle – the noises of which provide your night-time soundtrack. The bathrooms are a particular highlight: the semi-outdoor spaces incorporate jungle showers on a pebbled deck, enormous bathtubs sunken into stone, and foliage poking over the walls. Staff are charming and attentive, and it’s easy to while away the day with swimming and sunbathing – if that gets old, however, the Senetan offers frequent, complimentary shuttle buses into Ubud, as well as bicycles for exploring the surrounding area.