Como Uma Ubud

Rooms

Japanese architect Kochiro Ikebuchi has made the hotel and its steep hillside work well together thanks to his use of local wood and alang alang thatched roofs. Inside, the rooms blend Zen simplicity with traditional Balinese elements, making them light, airy and calming. Fine white mosquito nets, silky smooth linen, pale stone flooring and limewashed wood carvings make a refreshing change from the usual dark wood furnishings found in Balinese hotels.

All rooms have garden terraces or private courtyards, open-air showers, fabulous baths (with a selection of delicious COMO Shambhala soaps and shampoos), WiFi, flatscreen TVs, waffle dressing gowns and yoga mats.

The Uma Pool Villas and the COMO Villa are the most extravagant, boasting the largest square footage, sitting rooms and their own infinity plunge pools overlooking the trees and the valley below.

Of the other rooms, we liked the Terrace Rooms which have large shuttered doors leading out to garden terraces, where you can sit out and admire the view of the valley. The bathrooms are spacious and light, decked out in creamy limestone with freestanding bathtubs and Venetian style-glass mirrors.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Mosquito net
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Wander down some hidden steps, past a small waterfall and fish pond and you'll discover the main restaurant, Kemiri. It's an open pavillion affair with scattered marble tables and teak armchairs inside and out - never far from lush vegetation (banana palms, hibiscus, frangipani) and of course the ever-present temple.

The cuisine can be described as modern Indonesian with a Western twist. We found it delicious, light, fresh and imaginative. The grilled Lombok lobster with black chili sauce, the smoked quail salad and the stir-fried longbeans with tomato sambal were all jolly good. Other dishes to mention include crispy skinned chicken with wild Uluwatu vanilla and tangerine sauce, and warm chocolate and cardamon fondant with poached tamarillos. There's a separate veggie menu too, with a big selection of plant-based dishes.

Eating at homely, Italian-inspired Uma Cucina (added in 2013) makes for a relaxed evening of communal dining on the outdoor terrace. We haven’t had the chance to try it yet but the menu, strong on fresh and locally sourced produce, sounds scrumptious. Try handmade pastas, fresh seafood or woodfired pizzas, finished off with classic Italian gelato.

For health swots, the Como Shambhala spa offers special alternatives to maximise energy levels, all using organic foods rich in enzymes, vitamins and sea minerals.

The breakfast menu (usually extra to the room rate) tempts with dishes such as pancakes with grilled bananas and cranberries, tropical fruit platters with yoghurt and bee pollen, freshly baked pastries with homemade jams and lime- and cardamon-scented French toast. The coffee's great (it's from the island of Flores) and the selection of teas and juices is wide - we went for petal tea and fresh watermelon, lime, ginger and mint juice.

Back up at the main pool area, the curvaceous low slung bar is a real eye-catcher. The cocktails definitely hit the spot, from zingy Caipirinhas to espresso Martinis. You can fall into conversation easily with other guests here. Dinner down in the main restaurant is candlelit but we preferred to eat at the convivial bar.

If you want to venture beyong the hotel, for casual drinks not too far away you could try Naughty Nuri's just opposite (a simple shack serving wicked Martinis, popular with the expat brigade). For dinner, nearby Mozaic is one of Ubud's top restaurants and Arys Warung in town is also recommended.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Laze by the 25m swimming pool on one of the comfy wooden loungers, where waiters automatically bring you chilled water and a cold face cloth, or sip cocktails at the groovy bar
  
  
• Soak up Ubud's culture by visiting some of the many temples, galleries and museums. You can enjoy traditional music and local dancing at one of the many colourful and impromptu ceremonies
  
  
• Shop till you drop in Ubud, renowned for its antiques and homewares. The hotel can also arrange appointment-only meetings with artists and craftspeople at work in their studios
  
  
• Take a walk through the paddy fields - the hotel offers simple daily guided walks among the villages, temples, rice paddies and jungle gorges surrounding Uma
  
  
• For extra cost, Victor Mason's Bali Bird Walk is a real highlight. His knowledge, eccentricity and enthusiasm is infectious
  
  
• A complimentary daily yoga class takes place in the tranquil open-air pavilion overlooking the valley, or come for a dedicated yoga week led by a world-renowned teacher
  
  
• Be pampered and indulge in the many Asian-inspired holistic therapies in the Como Shambhala Spa, including reflexology, Ayurveda, massages and facials
  
  
• Go trekking in the surrounding hills
  
  
• Join a Balinese cooking class, held in the Kemiri restaurant
  
  
• If coming from the coast you can stop at the the Burung Bali Bird Park, with its winding paths, lakes and truly impressive array of tropical birds
  
  
• Climb a volcano then mountain bike down again. Various trails for mountain bikers have been mapped by the resort
  
  
• Whitewater rafting can also be arranged (the Ayung river is 10 minutes away and is generally class 2, with a few rapids reaching class 3 - considered fine for beginners)

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Mountain biking
• Museums / galleries
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Rafting
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Trekking
• Well being
• Wildlife
• Yoga

Kids

Children under 12 stay free of charge and can sleep on a complimentary extra bed. Children under 5 dine for free too. Additional charges will apply for children aged 12 years and above. Babysitting and baby cots are available on request.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

All Villa categories can host a family of 3, while the COMO Villa can take a family of 4

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 1 hour
• Hospital: 25 minutes
• Shops: 1 minute

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Como Uma Ubud is hidden on the fringe of Ubud, a lively cultural town in the middle of Bali. It overlooks the Tjampuhan Valley and river Oos and is an hour's drive from Seminyak or the international airport.

By Air:
Denpasar Ngurah Rai (47km way) is the nearest airport. It's served by many international airlines; click on the links at the bottom of the page for a full list. You can also fly to Jakarta, then travel overland or take a connecting flight to Denpasar.

From the Airport:
The hotel offers a transfer from the airport, which we'd recommend taking - see Rates for details. It's typical to get a cooling face towel and drink as you hop in, which makes for a more relaxing journey, and they'll usually take you to any areas of interest along the way. Alternatively you can hop on one of the hourly shuttle buses to Ubud.

By Ferry:
There are frequent boats between Bali and the major islands in Indonesia, including Java, Lombok and Komodo. You can then catch a bemo (minibus) from the port to Ubud, where someone from the hotel will meet you.

Getting Around:
Taxis are plentiful and the hotel offers an hourly shuttle into the town. Staff can also arrange day trips and excursions to suit requirements.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Bali and getting around