In 2010, Elizabeth Gilbert's bestselling memoir "Eat Pray Love" was adapted into a movie directed by Ryan Murphy. The book follows the author's journey to find herself in Italy, India, and Bali, where she falls in love and rediscovers her true self. Ubud, a popular destination in Bali, is featured prominently in the story, attracting numerous tourists in recent years.
When choosing accommodations in Bali, Ubud remains a top pick, including Alila Ubud, one of the brand's earliest resorts. With affordable room rates (starting from 8,000 points per night) and convenient access to Ubud's attractions, Alila Ubud offers an unparalleled experience. Its famous infinity pool overlooking lush greenery is not to be missed.
The history of Alila's brand
According to records in "official history," Alila's first store was opened in 2001 (now defunct) at Alila Jakarta. However, Alila Manggis and Alila Ubud, which appear to be from a earlier era, have been around since the 90s. This lesser-known aspect of the brand's history is quite intriguing.
Before founding Alila in 2000, Mark Edleson collaborated with Adrian Zecha, co-founder of Aman Resorts, as partners in GHM, a luxury hotel group, and gained extensive experience in developing and managing high-end hotels through their management of The Chedi and The Serai brands on Bali.
"Alila" in Sanskrit means "surprise," which aligns perfectly with Mark Edleson's vision for the brand - for hotels to exist for the surprise and delight of guests. Following this philosophy, The Serai Manggis, which opened in 1994 under Amankila, was acquired by Alila and rebranded as Alila Manggis; The Chedi Ubud, a pioneering resort with infinity pools, also joined the Alila family as Alila Ubud.
Nowadays, we take it for granted that infinity pools are a staple of luxury hotels, but they were actually designed by the late Australian architect Kerry Hill, who worked as one of Aman Resorts' in-house designers and has crafted over 10 Aman properties.
His works include Amankora, a multi-resort brand with multiple addresses, and Tokyo's Aman, which is also his design. Adrian Zecha's residence in Singapore is another notable work of his.
Kerry Hill infused modern designs with Balinese traditional architecture for Alila Ubud, creating secluded gardens, spacious terraces, serene courtyards, and using volcanic rocks and river stones as building materials. The mixture of concrete walls and special grass roofs blends harmoniously into the surrounding forest, providing a cozy and worldly escape.
Alila Ubud Room Introduction
Upon entering the hotel, you'll walk through a long stretch of winding pathway that makes you wonder if the driver might have taken a wrong turn.
However, upon reaching the hotel entrance, two rows of neatly arranged foliage on either side welcome you with open arms, offering an intimate respite from the surrounding forest. Instead of a formal lobby, you're greeted by an open space set up like a relaxation platform, where you can connect with the nearby woods in a more personal way.
The rooms at Alila Ubud are intentionally kept small, with only 76 rooms and villas, which is quite avant-garde for a luxury retreat concept. Set amidst the bustling island of Bali, this understated approach feels refreshingly timeless.
There are seven room types available, ranging from deluxe rooms to premium pool villas, each with its own unique features. The smallest option is the 75 sqm Valley Villa, while the largest is the 240 sqm Double Pool Villa.
During my stay, I was accommodated in a 90 sqm Green Terrace Villa, which falls under the fifth tier category and offers more space than the basic villa room type. Additionally, it comes equipped with an outdoor living area.
Each villa has a slightly different layout, but generally consists of separate living, bedroom, and bathroom areas. The spacious beds are positioned by the windows, offering stunning mountain views that have been obscured by overgrown trees after nearly three decades.
However, the simplicity of Balinese decorations only adds to the sense of nostalgia, giving the place a "timeless" feel.
One of Alila Ubud's standout features is its open-air bathrooms and shower areas, which exude a true Southeast Asian vibe. And with the freedom to bathe alfresco, you can indulge in a carefree and liberating experience here!
The handcrafted sign on the door of my room is adorable and truly reflects the local spirit of Bali.
Luxury rooms and suites are primarily located near the river valley, with two levels of architecture. On the ground floor, there's a 65 sqm luxury room with a private courtyard, while the second floor offers a 35 sqm high-end room with a balcony. Compared to the villas, the scenery here is more expansive.
When I checked into my luxurious room on the ground floor, I was impressed by how Kerry Hill had designed the space to blend seamlessly with the outdoors. The bedhead even featured an openable small door, allowing direct access to the glass wood doors on either side that led to the garden. It seemed like every detail was carefully crafted to bring me closer to nature.
Introduction to Alila Ubud Restaurant
The hotel has two restaurants: Plantation and Cabana Lounge. The main dining and recreational areas are located near the infinity pool. Cabana Lounge specializes in Indonesian and Western cuisine, offering lunch and dinner. The positions near the pool are always the most popular.
The menu at this restaurant is relatively okay, leaning towards Western cuisine, and the prices are not too expensive compared to the hotel's dining options. Note that all hotels on Bali Island charge a 21% tax and service fee, so make sure to factor that in when calculating the price.
In the depths of the jungle within the hotel, there is a place called 'Bale Bengong.' This spot features a Balinese-style gazebo with an immersive atmosphere! It's perfect for destination weddings or anniversary dinners, and it's also great for relaxing during leisure time.
Plantation is an open-air restaurant on Bali island, featuring traditional Balinese roofing made from grass and directly sourced wood from local trees, which perfectly captures the region's simplest style.
Breakfast here is served in a semi-buffet format, where fruits and drinks can be self-served at the buffet table, while other items are ordered à la carte. The menu is really authentic and offers unique flavors that I haven't tried before!
Worth mentioning is that this restaurant follows the concept of 'from farm to table,' using only fresh seasonal ingredients, even having its own vegetable garden 'self-sufficient' within the hotel.
Not only do they have beautiful flowers arranged in the room, but some of them are actually grown in this area too!
SPA Alila
Founder Mark Edleson set strict standards when launching Alila Living, a brand that has since been recognized as one of Vogue magazine's top three skincare brands globally.
Based on the success of Alila Living, SPAs derived from it, such as the Alila Spa, offer an exceptional experience. Their signature treatment, the Alila Ubud 60-minute massage, starts at just IDR 750,000 (approximately USD $50), making it an affordable luxury compared to other hotels in Bali.
The spa rooms are also designed to be open and inviting environments, complete with flowing water features, bird songs, and Balinese-style pavilions that allow you to fully immerse yourself in the tropical rainforest ambiance and relax.
Conclusion：
Currently, the Alila Ubud is classified as Cat2 in the World of Hyatt frequent traveler program.
With a redemption rate of 6,500/8,000/9,500 points during off-peak/shoulder season/peak season, guests can redeem a free night's stay at the Alila Ubud by accumulating points through their stays, which offers the best value for regular travelers.
Alila's unique vacation concept has been perfectly interpreted at Ubud, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations, much like Kerry Hill's iconic infinity pool design.
