Ubud has no shortage of incredible places to stay- this tranquil paradise in Bali’s jungle-y center is home to some of the most famous resorts in Bali. While this makes Ubud a wonderful holiday destination for any taste or budget, it can also be an overwhelming list to sort through when you're planning that perfect getaway.
A few weeks ago we took a trip up to Ubud for a stay at Chapung Sebali and we loved it so much that we had to share it with you! It was the perfect property in Ubud for people that are looking for a balanced mix of midcentury modern and traditional Balinese style. Don’t get us wrong, we love having a cultural experience when staying in Bali, but Chapung Sebali has designed a resort that seamlessly merges the ancient Balinese charm that we love with clean design and beautifully modern architecture. There’s so much to say about this property- so as usual we’ll just share some of the top reasons that we love Chapung Sebali!
The Design
From the moment you arrive on the property, Chapung Sebali’s distinct style and thoughtful design makes you feel right at home. Non-pretentious luxury and elevated traditional elements come together to create an environment that stays true to Balinese culture while maintaining a high level of modern comfort and service. Beautiful balinese gates stand alongside rice terraces and newly-constructed buildings without force, and the entire resort layout begets tranquility and relaxation.
We stayed in valley view suite, and our room was a spacious, wide-open loft with tons of room and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the jungle below. Two sliding doors opened to a giant balcony, and every detail from hardwood floors to gorgeous furniture and functional space was meticulously thought out.
The Blind Pig Bar
One thing that we really miss from Brooklyn since we’ve been living in Bali is the cool craft-cocktail bar scene. Bali has a plethora of watering holes to choose from, but there seems to be quite a gap between the Bintang-centric bars and clubs of Kuta and the ultra-swanky, expensive hotel bars with equally as extravagant prices. But even more than price point or target demographic, Bali doesn't seem to have much by way of craft cocktails, solid old fashioned and smokey whiskey drinks and passionate bartenders who know their ingredients and stand behind their craft. The Blind Pig, however, fills that gap and offers (in our opinion) some of the best craft cocktails and speakeasy-turns-modern vibes we’ve found in Bali. Choose one of the smoked drinks for a really cool experience, order the meditteranean tapas plate and catch up with old friends around a game of pool- we promise you won’t regret it!
The Spa + Gym
As with any good resort in Bali, hotel and spa are pretty well synonymous terms. It seems that a resort can only be as good as their spa- in which case Chapung Sebali is a very, very good one. Beautiful treatment rooms and facilities are only the starting point for their wonderful spa offerings. Our couples Balinese massage finished with a fruit bowl and a flower bath in the open air with rainforest views… need we say more?!
Another of our favorite parts about this resort is the workout area overlooking the jungle! There is a nice weight room with mirrors with a large assortment of weights and lifting machines. But the really unique part about it was the 2 rowing machines that were literally on platforms over pools of water! It was the type of set up that you actually look forward to and makes you want to go to the gym! :)
The Pool
Jungle Fish is the well known pool + bar connected to Chapung Sebali, and even if you don’t stay the night at the resort, you have to get a day pass to experience this stunning pool! We are sure once you see the property, you will be convinced to book a few nights at the hotel as well. Admission is free for hotel guests, and we found ourselves lounging and swimming our way well into the evening at Jungle Fish almost every night.
The Breakfast
The last thing we couldn't help but mention is the breakfast included in your stay! There is a wonderful buffet as well as an a la cart menu with so many different options. The dining room itself is decorated so nicely with the coolest tile floor. It’s an instagrammer’s heaven! If you can pull yourself away from snapping pics for your grid long enough to actually eat, the breakfast buffet has the most epic smoothie bowl station of all time- full of such an incredible array of fruits, nuts, and seeds to make the perfect power bowl. You know by now our special affinity for breakfast- and this one ranked way up there for us.
Chapung Sebali’s rooms start just north of $200 USD per night, and you’ll need to either hire transport or rent a motorbike to get around, as it is located about 20 minutes drive from Ubud’s center. In our opinion, it’s worth every penny and perfect for honeymooners, solo travelers and families alike.
