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February 2, 2026
PMC Redaktion
In the middle of the Balinese rainforest—where mist rises and rain does not disturb but calms—Anantara has created a place near Ubud that redefines luxury. Not through excess, but through attentiveness. A hotel that slows down, takes details seriously, and shows that true generosity is often quiet.
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It's not the big gestures that reveal true luxury, but the small, almost overlooked decisions. Huge towels, for example. Two on each lounger. Soft, generous, seemingly effortless, yet anything but. In a time where efficiency often triumphs over comfort and every gram of fabric becomes a calculation, these towels are a quiet act of generosity. No sign of how luxurious it is here, just the certainty that you will be taken care of.
Or the eraser. Placed next to a pencil, almost like an invitation. Who writes with a pencil today, examines thoughts, pauses, erases, reformulates? The eraser here does not stand for correction, but for an attitude: calm instead of haste, depth instead of speed, attentiveness instead of distraction. It is this old-fashioned self-evidence with which the Anantara near Ubud in Bali welcomes its guests.
The location is not just a backdrop, but a foundation. In the middle of the rainforest. Location, location, location – everything else can be improved, but not the location. The resort is nestled in lush greenery, terraced, so that from almost every point there is an unobstructed view into the jungle. Those who wish can climb the paths on foot, those who prefer comfort can take the small train that glides quietly and reliably through the grounds. Here, too, guests are known by name on the first day. A detail that does not seem contrived, but natural.
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The construction of the facility began before Corona, then came the pause. When the resort finally opened in October 2024, nothing seemed unfinished or hastily completed. On the contrary: perhaps this interruption gave the place the serenity you feel as soon as you arrive. 85 rooms and villas, generously designed, understated, always in dialogue with nature.
In January, it rains. A lot. The rainforest lives up to its name in the rainy season. Yet it is one of the few places where rain is not a nuisance. Neither like on the beach, where it drives you away, nor like in the city, where it slows you down. Here, it belongs. More than that: it stages. Drops pelt leaves, mist rises after showers and softly blankets the treetops. The landscape becomes hazy, almost painted. The jungle transforms into a canvas on which a film runs continuously. Working title: 1000 Shades of Green.
From the Anantara, it is just a short drive to Pura Mengening, a Balinese water temple that is mainly visited by locals and is less touristy than many others on the island. Between mossy stone steps and dense greenery, spring water flows into stone basins. The ritual follows a clear sequence: from left to right, hands, head, a brief moment under each water outlet. Juni, who accompanies the visit, calmly explains the significance of the cleansing – releasing spent energy, consciously pausing. And then the blessing in the second basin.
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Back at the hotel, the generous swimming pools invite you to dive in and out. The two main pools are long, heated, and positioned so that swimming gives the impression of floating in the treetops. The water is calm, the view is wide. Yellow butterflies flutter in pairs over the surface, circling as if they were part of the choreographed daily routine. In the distance, drum sounds of a ceremony can be heard - muted, rhythmic, soothing. Never loud, never disturbing. More like a distant heartbeat.
Service here is not about over-fulfillment but about the right moment. At the pool, attentive hands offer cold towels, sunscreen with SPF 50 (a must, as the equator is not far), a fine refreshing spray. Everything is there without being asked. The amenities are complete, thoughtful, high-quality. The laundry, handed in in the morning, is back in the room in the afternoon - less than five hours later, impeccably ironed. It’s part of the service. Point.
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The breakfast also follows this principle of effortless variety. Waffles or wonton soup, avocado toast or fresh fruit. Melons cut so precisely, as if someone had measured them with a ruler. The service is fast, friendly, attentive, without ever seeming hectic. Friendly faces everywhere. And those who are smiled at smile back. What that does to the hormone balance is well known.
In the bathroom, the mirror can be slid aside like a theater curtain. A small handle with a big impact. Suddenly, while brushing your teeth, you’re looking straight into the rainforest. And the rain shower lives up to its name so well because it not only falls generously but also offers a view outside. Even the elevator smells good. A detail you don’t expect, and that’s why it works.
In the evening, when the turndown service puts the room or pool villa into a quieter state again, a special silence settles over the resort. No intrusive staging, no excess. Just the feeling of being in a place that has nothing to prove.
The Anantara near Ubud is not a hotel that wants to impress. It wants to slow down. It invites you to think slower, look closer, possibly erase thoughts. And maybe that is the greatest luxury of all today. Infos: Anantara.com
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