Capella Ubud

Capella Ubud, a Michelin Key One-Keys property, consistently receives high praise for its immersive design, exceptional service, and unique "tented camp" experience in the heart of Bali's lush rainforest. Guests frequently describe their stay as magical and unlike any other.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Capella Ubud garners an overwhelmingly positive sentiment, often being hailed as one of the most unique and luxurious properties globally. It was recognized as the "Best Hotel in the World" by Travel + Leisure in 2020 and has been named Indonesia's top hotel in 2024. Guests consider it a remarkable place for those seeking an unparalleled luxury glamping experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests are consistently captivated by the hotel's distinctive design, crafted by American landscape architect Bill Bensley, which evokes an 1800s European settlers' camp. The seamless integration with the surrounding jungle, where no trees were cut during construction, is a significant highlight. The personalized and intuitive service, along with the unique tented villas, each featuring a private pool, are also frequently lauded. Amenities such as complimentary afternoon tea and evening cocktails at the Officer's Tent, along with daily activities and a focus on wellness, further enhance the guest experience.

3. Room Quality

Capella Ubud offers 22 one-bedroom tents and one two-bedroom lodge, all featuring private plunge or heated pools. The rooms are not typical tents but rather exquisitely designed luxury accommodations with whimsical, maximalist interiors that blend bold colors, layered patterns, antique curios, and modern comforts. Each tent includes a copper bathtub, indoor and outdoor showers, a generous seating area, air conditioning, a personal safe, and an electric kettle. The attention to detail in the design is highly appreciated by guests.

4. Dining Experience

The culinary offerings at Capella Ubud are considered exceptional.

• Mads Lange: This main restaurant serves a mix of Western and Indonesian dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with expansive views. Breakfast is particularly praised for its à la carte options, creative dishes, and generous portions.
• Api Jiwa: An intimate, 10-seat Asian barbecue restaurant offering a fixed Omakase-style dinner. The 10-course degustation menu, created by a Michelin star Italian chef, is a luxurious culinary journey featuring fresh, flavorful ingredients. Reviewers suggest it could easily deserve two Michelin stars.
• The Camp Fire: Offers hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows in a cozy, campfire ambiance, sometimes accompanied by outdoor movie screenings.
• Officer's Tent: Functions as a luxurious club lounge, providing complimentary afternoon tea and evening cocktails with canapés.
• In-tent dining: Room service is well-executed and delivered in stylish bento-style boxes. The food quality is consistently high, with a focus on local ingredients, and vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Capella Ubud is consistently described as genuinely outstanding, impeccable, and a cornerstone of the experience. Staff are warm, thorough, and highly personalized, anticipating guest needs and accommodating special requests effortlessly. Each guest is assigned a personal "Culturist" (butler) who helps plan the stay and attends to individual needs. Staff often remember guests' names and even their tent names, creating a deeply personal touch. Four pieces of laundry per person per day are often included, a highly appreciated perk.

6. Location & Accessibility

Capella Ubud is nestled in a dense rainforest on a terraced landscape leading to the sacred Wos River, located in the authentic Balinese artist village of Keliki. It's situated about 20-25 minutes north of central Ubud. While providing unspoiled valley views and an immersive jungle experience, the property's terrain includes steep stairs and uneven paths, making it challenging for guests with limited mobility. A 24/7 buggy service is available, and walking sticks are offered to guests. The resort offers airport transfers and scheduled transfers to Ubud center.

7. Value & Pricing

Capella Ubud is a luxury property with prices typically starting around $1454 per night, significantly higher than the average hotel in Bali. Despite the high price point, many guests feel the unique and unparalleled experience, coupled with the exceptional service and design, makes it worth the cost. It's considered an excellent choice for those seeking a distinctive luxury experience immersed in nature.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring issues or criticisms include:

• Accessibility: The terraced landscape and numerous steep stairs make the property unsuitable for guests with limited mobility.
• Walking Distances: Some tents, particularly the River tents, can be quite a distance from the main resort hub, requiring a fair amount of walking, which can be challenging during rain due to the open-concept design.
• Noise: The tent canvas construction means guests can hear more of the natural jungle sounds (birds, frogs, rain), which can be loud during torrential downpours and potentially disrupt sleep.
• Privacy: Some guests have noted that the plunge pools of certain tents may lack complete privacy, with views of other tents possible.
• Pool Temperature: A few guests have mentioned that the outdoor plunge pools can be on the cooler side.
• Mosquitoes: As expected in a rainforest setting, mosquitoes can be an issue, though the welcome kit includes repellent.
• Daily Activities: Some feedback suggests a perceived lack of daily activities for a resort at this price point.

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