Villa Amandari

The Villa

Amandari is located in the village of Kedewatan, part of Bali’s cultural capital, Ubud. Perched above the Ayung River Gorge, Amandari (‘peaceful spirits’) is situated about 60 minutes from Bali’s international airport in Denpasar, and 10 minutes from the arts community of Ubud in the island’s verdant heartland.

Designed as a Balinese ‘village’ and an intrinsic part of Kedewatan Village nearby, the property surrounds a pathway said to be on sacred land. It leads down to the river in the valley below, and every six months, for hundreds of years, local Balinese have taken this path down to a spring-fed pool of holy water overlooked by three modest shrines and an ancient stone-carved tiger. The tradition still takes place today, and this peaceful site heightens the connection that exists between the resort and the community in which it resides.

Amandari’s open-air reception area was designed after a wantilan, a village meeting place, which overlooks a replica of the ancient stone tiger. From here, winding pathways lead to the Restaurant, the main swimming pool mirroring the curved shape of the rice paddies below, the Bar, a library and boutique, as well as to 32 free-standing thatched-roof suites.

Surrounded by high paras-stone walls for privacy and offering terraces with tranquil views, each suite is accessed via a Balinese-style gateway. Views and layouts vary, with some overlooking the valley and rice paddies, and a number featuring a duplex configuration, a plunge pool and additional rooms.  All suites offer a garden courtyard, an indoor living area and full-height sliding glass doors that open on three sides to lush surroundings. Bathrooms provide twin vanities and dressing areas, a separate shower and toilet, and an outdoor sunken marble bathtub.

Serviced by two staff, the Amandari Villa is tucked into rice terraces less than a minute’s drive from the resort. Overlooking the Ayung River Gorge, it is a 1,500-square-metre Balinese-style compound consisting of five separate pavilions. These include three detached, terrace-style bedrooms; a separate living room walled entirely in windows and sliding glass doors; and a fully-fitted kitchen. A garden, landscaped deck and dining bale embrace an expansive, two-tiered swimming pool. Villa guests can use the resort’s facilities at any time and a car is always on standby.

Amandari’s open-sided Restaurant, crafted largely of teak, overlooks the resort’s 32-metre, green-tiled swimming pool, which is situated close to the lip of the gorge. Every evening, gamelan players perform from the music pavilion behind the pool, which is also a venue for regular Balinese dance performances by local children. The Restaurant serves Western and local Indonesian dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The adjacent Bar, with its terrace seating, enjoys a similar setting and views.

Amandari’s Aman Spa is located at the end of a winding andesite path and presents two open-air treatment bales, a beauty salon, sauna and marble steam room. Surrounded by a lotus pond, the bales seem to float peacefully above the water. The gym is fitted with cardiovascular equipment and looks out onto the lotus pond surrounding the spa facility. There is also a tennis court that can be floodlit for night play.