I’ve been visiting Ubud for over 15 years now. In the beginning I never really stayed over. My visits were mostly day trips. I’d take friends and family who would visit Bali for a day trip. We would see the sights, have a babi guling lunch, go to the art shops and market then head back.
But slowly, I think around 2014, did I start staying over, and in the beginning it was mostly for work. Since they were work trips, I would stay at various hotels, take on stay invitations and events. So I had chance to stay at many hotels, big and small, fancy and simple. It was around this time that I saw myself booking my stays in Ubud on purpose, not just for work.
The dining scene was burgeoning. Now there were places I wanted to have dinner at, which obviously meant I had to stay the night. Traffic and distance would not make it feasible to do a visit for dinner. And I realized I was starting to like Ubud. It was no longer a day trip destination.
The first time I stayed at COMO Uma Ubud was in 2018. It was after the Ubud Food Festival, I remember. I needed a break from the hectic 5 days I spent at the festival and I wanted somewhere nice to relax and recover. I chose the hotel because I liked its photos. Little did I know that I would fall in love with this beauty.
COMO Uma Ubud is very unassuming. You can’t see anything from the roadside. The hotel has 46 rooms, suites, and villas and is designed like a traditional Indonesian village. As you enter and step into the lobby/reception area, your attention will be drawn to a small courtyard and this massive tree that towers right in front of you, giving shade to the area and the pool. As you walk through the various walkways and steps, you slowly realize that this is a special place. Shiny green moss grows on most of the steps and surfaces, the greenery is lush and bright, and you hear birds chirping. Such a beautiful welcome experience. And I’ve not even arrived at my villa.
I’ve stayed at a few room categories during my many stays at COMO Uma Ubud, each one sleek, filled with natural light, with everything you would possibly need while on holiday, or often in my case when working. All the rooms I’ve stayed in have a residential feel; you always feel at home and relaxed, with everything you need perfectly placed. What I like the most about all the rooms are the large windows which reveal the lush tropical gardens. Each room opens up to a balcony and garden, giving you a sense of space and belonging. I call it the Ubud feel.
The rooms and villas are well appointed, using local materials inside and out, which gives you that Bali/Ubud feel without feeling provincial. I love the oversized bedrooms and bathrooms. Speaking of bathrooms, I love the COMO Uma Ubud bathrooms. Not only is it oversized, it is also very well-appointed. It has a large tub, and a semi-outdoor shower, and the bath amenities used are of course, the COMO Shambhala Invigorate line. This collection is my ultimate favorite shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel line. As its name implies, the Invigorate scent is an uplifting combination of eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, and peppermint, perfect to jump-start your day. Of all the room categories, I really like their one-bedroom pool villa, which comes with your own infinity-edged plunge pool, which makes you feel like you are bathing in the forest; well, you are in the forest but in great surroundings.
Food at COMO Uma Ubud is relaxed and simple but done very well. Breakfast is a joy, with a daily changing menu. Plus, if you seek more choices, Uma Cucina is a few steps away from the lobby. There you can find meticulously done Italian food, I love their pizzas and the juicy pork chop!
Last but not least is the service. I usually come to COMO Uma Ubud for an escape after a busy few days in Ubud for work, and it is the best hotel to stay at before returning to Jakarta. Service at COMO Uma Ubud is attentive without being obtrusive. The servers always have a smile on their faces and call you out by name. They are a glance away, anticipating your every need. A testament to this is their recent Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award, wherein COMO Uma Ubud was on top of the list of The Best Resorts in Indonesia (winner) and also named fourth on The Best Resorts in The World list. Now that says a lot.
If you are searching for a hotel in Ubud, COMO Uma Ubud is for you. Try them out, and you will know why they are the best hotel in Indonesia.
COMO Uma Ubud
Jl. Raya Sanggingan Banjar Lungsiakan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
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