The sound of the Ayung River as you share a massage. The shade of a gazebo as you read beside your private pool. A candlelit table beneath the forest canopy. At The Samaya Ubud, tranquillity isn’t one grand gesture but a collection of private moments that unfold close to nature.
A hillside setting above the Ayung
The Samaya Ubud is in Sayan, a village on the western edge of Ubud in Bali. Its 19 private-pool villas are set among tropical gardens on the slopes above the Ayung River, offering a sense of privacy with views across rice terraces and forested hillsides. Ubud centre is around a 20-minute drive away, depending on traffic.
Each private villa has a pool
These are pools to swim in, not just plunge pools for a quick cool-off. Hillside Villas, for example, have a private lap pool set among tropical gardens, with a sheltered gazebo nearby for a slow morning and a good book. Inside, high ceilings and steeply pitched roofs open up the space, while a modern take on Balinese design brings warmth and character. In the Ayung Villas, there’s another tucked-away place to pause: the Cocoon, a thatched, open-fronted hideaway set among the greenery.
Dinner comes with a view
Set beside the Ayung River, open-air Swept Away looks out onto the surrounding forest. The menu brings Indonesian flavours together with international favourites: one evening might begin with soft-shell crab rolls, followed by Australian sirloin with mustard mash; another, with satay skewers and nasi goreng.
For a more intimate dinner, reserve one of the restaurant’s candlelit tables and enjoy a degustation menu. Table 62 sits above the fast-flowing river, fully immersed in the forest – the perfect spot for a romantic occasion.
Enjoy a massage beside the flowing water
The Spa has five treatment rooms, including a sheltered, open-air couples’ room at the river’s edge. Choose from treatments such as traditional Balinese massage, shiatsu or hot stone therapy. There’s no need for a spa soundtrack when the river is flowing just metres away.
Afterwards, take a dip in the spa pool, visit the fitness centre or head back to your villa for a swim of your own.
A butler can help shape the day
Want breakfast by your private pool or dinner served in your villa? Your butler can arrange in-villa dining and offer local advice, whether you’re looking for a memorable meal or deciding where to head next. The team is available 24 hours a day, working in zones across the resort, so help is close at hand throughout your stay.
Explore the region with activities in and out of the resort
Join the complimentary morning trek for a 90-minute walk with a staff member through the village and surrounding paddy fields. You can also try a cooking class or join a yoga session, with activities subject to the hotel’s schedule.
For a change of scene, take the hotel shuttle into Ubud, subject to its schedule. Often called Bali’s cultural heart, it’s a chance to visit Ubud Palace and the art market opposite, browse galleries and local crafts, or catch a traditional dance performance.
