Anantara Ubud Bali Resort

Mission completed: If you want to go to the gym at Anantara Ubud, you can turn back with a clear conscience once you reach the door. The many stairs and corridors that have to be climbed to reach the fitness temple easily replace any workout. Or, to put it less athletically: the dimensions of the Anantara Ubud, which opens in fall 2024, are huge! So huge, in fact, that there are two funiculars in the hotel on the steep slope to shorten the long distances. And speaking of "long distances": The Anantara may have "Ubud" in its name, but the regular hotel shuttle takes around 40 minutes to cover the 20 km distance. So it's a good idea to cancel the planned shopping trip and enjoy the "splendid isolation" in the rainforest instead. There are more than enough places and occasions to relax - from morning yoga by the pool to afternoon tea on the impressive lobby deck with a view of Mount Agung. And because a stay at Anantara is unthinkable without a visit to the spa, you should definitely also try out the wellness menu. My tip for indulgence in four courses: the "Sirman Harmony" ritual with a cleansing bath, energizing taksu massage, fragrant herbal peeling and tea and fruit for dessert. Fine dining can also be enjoyed in the three hotel restaurants. Delicious: Bubur Ayam, an Indonesian rice porridge for breakfast at Kirana. "Mouthwatering", as my waiter says: the Wagyu skewers with truffle and teriyaki sauce at lunchtime in the Sulang Bar by the pool. Unfortunately not quite as convincing: dinner at Amerta, which promises to be Mediterranean but tastes more like beautiful Bali than bella Italia. We prefer in-room dining on our own terrace - without any long walks, but with a quick dip in the private infinity pool high above the rushing Pikat River as a refreshing intermediate course.

Test highlight
Tea on the lobby deck with a view of Mount Agung