BeingSattvaa Luxury Ubud

We brought a group of more than twenty people to BeingSattvaa for a week, our third retreat there over the years. It has a real heart to it, along with beautiful surroundings, home-style food and excellent facilities. We’ve found it among the best retreat spaces anywhere, not only in Bali. I’d happily recommend it for a personal trip, a couple’s stay or a group event.

What made our anniversary at BeingSattvaa special was how connected the place felt to its surroundings. We enjoyed walking up to the small village nearby, and the calm, green jungle setting was a lovely change from resorts that can feel detached from where they are. The team was kind and treated us as equals, and the sustainable approach and vegetarian meals were a real plus. There’s plenty to make a stay comfortable: a clean, spacious room, a nice pool, a useful shuttle into town, easy WhatsApp communication and a good morning yoga class every day. Breakfast was especially well done, with a dish to order alongside a small buffet. It felt fresh and helped avoid waste, and we loved the fruit, homemade banana or chocolate bread, croissants and the dish we ordered. We had a wonderful time. If you want to unwind in nature and are tired of cookie-cutter hotels, come with an open heart. We’d love to see the BeingSattvaa family again.

The one drawback is that the resort may feel too quiet if you’re after a lively atmosphere. For us, though, the peaceful setting and the free morning yoga were a hit, and the vegetarian meals were delicious. My wife, friends and I booked two rooms for four nights. The staff were friendly and committed to good service, and management dealt with a problem quickly. One room’s air conditioning was too noisy, so they moved us to a clean room within half an hour. There are four shuttle trips each day between the resort and the market, which was handy.

The outings were a big part of our three days with friends at Sattva. We visited Pura Gunung Kawi Tempaksiring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and climbed down 1,000 steps; waded through Manuaba Waterfall; and saw the stunning Ulun Danu Beratan lake temple, which is very photogenic. On the way back we ate pizza overlooking tiered rice fields, and on day three we rafted a class 2/3 rapid on the Ayung river. Beautiful. Back at the resort, the spa and massages were lovely, especially with the beds opening onto the garden. The cool fresh water pool was a treat too. Renuka, the CEO, is hands-on with the menu and food preparation, and that attention to detail shows in the gardens and rooms. We liked the vegetarian meals, especially the tempeh burger. Mona, Soni and Komang were wonderfully attentive. Mona and Soni were sharp and friendly, and Komang even chased my cab on her scooter after I left something behind. Sattva is a special place. Renuka and Subba, the Yoga Master, make you feel personally hosted, and I plan to return.