Samsara Homestay

We wanted somewhere away from the traffic and noise around central Ubud, and this jungle setting was exactly what we hoped for. Rice fields, farmland, water and greenery all around, with frogs and the waterfall making a lovely soundtrack at night. The villas are comfortable, especially the beds and pillows, and the staff and food were both fantastic. I think the restaurant has a Michelin rating, and the resort has picked up a lot of hospitality awards. Breakfast, snacks, shuttle, gym, saunas, cold plunge, activities, and both private and large shared pools were included for a surprisingly low price. We barely saw anyone else at the big pool. A great place to switch off.

Barry and the team made us feel welcome as soon as we arrived at Samsara Ubud. The resort is beautiful, and everyone was caring and attentive. We also loved the restaurant, spa, sauna, and food. Barry especially made our holiday memorable. His professionalism and genuine warmth went well beyond what we expected, and he made so many moments feel special. We’re very grateful to him and the whole team. Y&J

We came for our honeymoon and loved the forest setting and the view. Samsara is about two hours from the airport and roughly 30 minutes from Ubud Center. There aren’t restaurants within walking distance, so we ate at Kelusa Restaurant quite often. The resort runs a free shuttle to Ubud Center daily. We knew about the distance beforehand, and the drive felt worth it for the setting. Our room was beautiful, with a heated private pool. The sheets were soft, the pillows just right, and the bed was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in. We were happy to jump into it every night. The floating breakfast was lovely too. We also enjoyed the village walk with Nuh. He was a wonderful guide, and hearing about Bali traditions and rice harvesting made for a relaxing start to the day. The scenery along the route was beautiful. Our deep tissue and chakra massages were very relaxing as well. The staff were kind and attentive throughout. The front desk knew our schedule and helped coordinate activities, and they arranged airport transfers for us. At Kelusa, the food was very good and there was plenty of variety. We booked months before the resort received its Michelin Key, so that recognition made us even more excited to come. After staying there, I understand why it received one. It was a perfect honeymoon stay.

The views are amazing, and the hotel is quiet and peaceful, though somehow it feels short on atmosphere. There weren’t many people in the restaurant. The staff were gorgeous and their service was beautiful, as usual for Bali. I came on my own and was anxious because I’d read a review calling the place terrifying at night. That wasn’t my experience. It’s in the jungle, so you hear insects and animals, but I grew up on a farm in mid-west Australia and found that scarier. I suspect the reviewer may not have spent much time outside a city. It’s about 20 minutes from Ubud. The bed was comfortable, but the hotel needs renovation. The pool and sun umbrellas had mould, and the shower area and freestanding baths were old, worn and stained. It probably was a very nice hotel back in the day.