Bali, often referred to as the “Island of the Gods,” is a paradise destination renowned for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. From lush rice terraces and pristine beaches to ancient temples and bustling markets, Bali offers a diverse array of experiences for travelers to explore. Bali is also a popular destination for honeymooners looking for a romantic getaway in one of their popular private pool villas. We recently spent a few days at the Sankara Resort & Spa by Pramana in Bali as part of a larger trip and wanted to share our experience for those looking to for the best villas in Bali.
About the Sankara Resort & Spa by Pramana
The Sankara Resort and Spa in Ubud is a luxurious retreat nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Bali’s cultural heartland and describes itself as one of the best hotels in Ubud. Situated just a short drive from Ubud’s bustling town center, this enchanting resort offers a tranquil escape while still being conveniently located near the island’s cultural and natural attractions. The resort features a variety of options, including private pool villas, a spa, restaurant, yoga, and more.
Sankara Hotel Location: How to Get to the Sankara Resort by Pramana
The hotel offers a shuttle service between the resort and the airport. The experience was seamless with the driver meeting us at the arrivals area and I would recommend it for ease. You can also book a driver or call a Grab, the equivalent of Uber in Bali, which will be cheaper. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the resort’s friendly staff who gave us a refreshing welcome drink while we were waiting for our room to be ready.
Sankara Suites and Villas Review
When we were researching the best villas in Bali, we knew we wanted a private pool villa. We booked one of the deluxe pool villas, for about $150 USD a night, and it was about 1500 sq ft which was huge! The room was decorated in traditional Balinese style, with wooden accents and stonework throughout. The bed had curtains that served for both decorative purposes but could also be drawn down at night in case of mosquitos. There was a small couch and desk as well as tv and minibar in the bedroom.
The bathroom was large and had double vanities, a rainfall shower with a separate handheld shower head, and a tub. There is also an outdoor shower! Robes were included as well. One thing to keep in mind is that there is not a door to the main bathroom area, so it is not fully private. Also since the shower is stone and drains directly into the ground, bugs can come up through the stones, but we didn’t see many and the room also provided bug spray just in case.
The villa also featured its own plunge pool and sun loungers, and was well maintained. One thing to note is that not all of the villa’s pools are completely private. Some are shielded by a wall of plants and shrubbery which you can partially see through, so if you’re looking for complete privacy it may not be the right villa.
One last thing to note is that the resort is next to an adventure skate park. Our villa was on the side bordering the park so it could get a bit noisy at times. However if you are not on that side of the resort then it should be fine.
How is the food at the Sankara Resort?
Sankara Resort has one main restaurant, by the lobby which features both Balinese and western cuisine. This is also where the free afternoon tea is held. One of the nights we were there we were able to book the Balinese BBQ experience, which featured a multi-course meal and a traditional dance performance which was a great experience. We only ate at the resort for dinner once, since we were usually out and about exploring the rest of Ubud, but the food that we had was pretty good.
We also received complimentary afternoon tea as part of our package, which included a Balinese cake.
Other Amenities and Activities
The resort features an infinity pool and pool bar just steps away. There were also plenty of lounge chairs available at the pool, and it never seemed too crowded.
There are various activities available on site, including free morning yoga, village walks, and cooking classes or Balinese dance classes available to book.
The resort also features a beautiful spa with a variety of treatments available. Our stay included a free 15 minute foot massage that was so good we decided to go ahead and book a full body massage! For only about $20 USD we were pampered and had an incredibly relaxing massage experience. The spa alone definitely added this resort to our list of best hotels in Ubud!
Overall the level of service at the resort was top notch. We felt pampered during our entire stay, and each member of the staff we interacted with was incredibly friendly and ready to help us with whatever we needed. Our restaurant waiters made sure we were well attended to, and the front desk staff was always helpful as well.
Final Review and Rating:
If you’re looking for the best villas in Bali, we thought that overall the Sankara Resort & Spa was a beautiful resort with well priced private villas. The rooms had beautiful decor and style and the personal pool is a great add. However, the lack of bathroom privacy and semi-privacy of the plunge pools may be off putting to some guests. The resort amenities were great including the spa and main pool, and the service level was excellent. Overall I was very pleased with our vacation at the Sankara Resort & Spa and would recommend it to others.
Rooms: 7.5/10
Food: 7/10
Amenities: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Overall Rating: 8/10
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