Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana

Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, nestled amidst the verdant rice paddies just outside Ubud, Indonesia, consistently garners exceptional reviews as a Michelin Key Selected property. Guests laud its tranquil ambiance, artistic design, and unparalleled hospitality, making it a sanctuary for those seeking a luxurious and culturally immersive escape.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Tanah Gajah is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "unforgettable," "truly superb and beyond expectation," and a "magical little hotel." The resort consistently achieves high ratings, including an "Exceptional" score of 9.6 on Booking.com, with staff receiving a remarkable 9.9. It is praised as a place where one can "heal, recharge, and realign," feeling "more whole than when [they] arrived."

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several standout features:

• Exceptional Service: The personalized and attentive service, particularly the dedicated personal butler service, is frequently cited as a major highlight. Staff are noted for their genuine warmth, helpfulness, and ability to anticipate needs, making guests feel like family.
• Stunning Location & Design: The resort's setting within lush rice fields and expansive gardens, often with views of Mount Agung, provides a serene and private escape. The property, originally the private estate of art collector Hendra Hadiprana, showcases unique Balinese artworks and blends rich heritage with modern amenities, creating an "art gallery set within a tropical paradise."
• Unique Experiences: Tanah Gajah offers distinctive activities such as Bali's first and only licensed hot air balloon experience, providing breathtaking views of Ubud's landscape at sunrise or sunset. Guests also appreciate cultural performances like the Kecak dance held on-site, romantic dinners amidst rice paddies, and guided rice paddy treks.
• Comprehensive Inclusions: Club benefits, standard for all guests, include complimentary mini-bar (replenished daily), afternoon tea, evening cocktails, laundry service, and scheduled transfers to Ubud, significantly enhancing the value.

3. Room Quality

The resort features 24 spacious and beautifully designed villas and suites. Rooms are characterized by their elegant blend of modern comforts and Balinese charm, decorated with original artwork and Balinese sculptures. Many villas boast private pools and outdoor bathtubs, along with semi-outdoor bathrooms, private courtyard entrances, and gardens. Guests praise the comfort of the beds, the quiet and efficient air conditioning, and the thoughtful design, including flat-leveled floors for accessibility. While generally pristine, some reviews mention minor signs of wear and tear in older areas, such as a cracked hand basin or mattresses potentially needing an update. One-Bedroom Club Suites, located closer to the lobby, can occasionally be more prone to noise if sharing a structure.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Tanah Gajah is highly regarded, with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients, often sourced from the resort's organic farm and local farmers.

• Restaurants: The Tempayan, the main restaurant, offers a diverse menu of Indonesian and Western dishes, served with panoramic views of the rice fields. The Panen Padi Lounge is a popular spot for afternoon tea and evening cocktails, also overlooking the rice paddies.
• Breakfast: An à la carte breakfast is highly rated, offering various options including lauded fried noodles and eggs Benedict. It can be enjoyed anywhere, including in the privacy of the villa or as a floating breakfast by the main pool.
• Afternoon Tea & Cocktails: Complimentary afternoon tea (4-6 pm) with a selection of savory and sweet local snacks and drinks, and evening cocktails are a much-loved inclusion.
• Special Dining: Romantic picnics in the gardens or rice paddies and candlelit dinners at the Elephant Gate are available for special occasions.
• Minor Criticisms: Some guests have noted that while evening meals are good, they occasionally don't quite reach the exceptional standard of other aspects of the resort. Additionally, vegetarian food options within the resort have been described as somewhat limited.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Tanah Gajah are consistently cited as a major strength and a defining element of the guest experience. Reviewers frequently use words like "exceptional," "genuinely kind, warm and helpful," "attentive," and "above 5 stars." The personalized personal butler service, often managed via a WhatsApp group, ensures that every detail, from arrival preferences to activity arrangements, is taken care of with subtle thoughtfulness. Staff are praised for making guests feel "completely at home" and "like family."

6. Location & Accessibility

Tanah Gajah is situated in a tranquil setting, surrounded by rice fields and lush greenery, approximately 10 to 15 minutes by car from the bustling center of Ubud. This location offers a peaceful retreat while still providing easy access to Ubud's attractions. The resort provides a free scheduled shuttle service to Ubud. It is a 45-minute to 1-hour drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), with airport pickup services available for convenience. The nearby Goa Gajah temple is just a two-minute drive away. While the location offers serenity, it's not ideal for guests who prefer to explore on foot.

7. Value & Pricing

Tanah Gajah is considered a luxury resort, and while specific average pricing isn't universally provided, it is often highlighted as offering "exceptional value for money" given the extensive inclusions and high-quality experience. Rates for a King Room can start around $318, with other room types like Queen Rooms reaching $702 or Luxury Rooms around $1,291, though prices vary by day and season. The complimentary club benefits, including airport transfers, minibar, afternoon tea, evening cocktails, laundry, and shuttle services to Ubud, contribute significantly to the perceived value. Opting for a One-Bedroom Suite is noted as a way to experience Tanah Gajah without "breaking the bank."

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor recurring criticisms include:

• Dining Consistency: Some guests found that evening meals, while still good, didn't always meet the exceptionally high standards set by other aspects of the resort.
• Limited Vegetarian Options: A few reviews mentioned that the vegetarian food options within the resort could be more diverse.
• Wear and Tear: Given the property's establishment in 2004 (and renovations in 2013), some minor signs of age, such as a cracked hand basin or potentially older mattresses, have been noted in isolated instances.
• Noise in Suites: One-Bedroom Club Suites that are part of a shared single-story structure might be more prone to noise from neighboring guests compared to the more secluded villas.

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