Mandapa by Ritz-Carlton
Ubud, Bali

The latest addition to the Ritz-Carlton collection is a real triumph. Having opened in August 2015 it is fresh and flawless. Mandapa means "temple" and they've successfully kept this theme throughout the hotel. Beautifully Balinese yet modern and luxurious in style, it is built into a steep hillside that cascades down to the banks of the Ayung river. It has the feel of a Balinese village with lavish private villas situated around a working rice terrace in the middle of the complex, and this picturesque scene can be viewed from a vista point at the top of the valley on entry to the resort.

There are 25 villas each with private pools, and 35 suites that are built into the hillside. All rooms are ornamented with traditional décor, sculptures and paintings of colourful village scenes, keeping the Balinese identity at its heart. The amenities are plentiful with a library, yoga studio, Mandapa Camp kids club which holds lessons in farming, a serene swimming pool, a herb garden and the spa, which sits at the furthermost tip of the resort, overhanging the river. A must try here is the Kubu restaurant, creating Mediterranean and European fine dining, and is currently rated as Number 1 for the best restaurants in Ubud.

This resort is a favourite of our Indonesia specialist, Emily, and a short stroll through the grounds will tell you why, with stone-carved statues, overhanging trees, pink flowers, streams following your footsteps and swallows swooping in and out of the rice paddy. A little glimpse of Nirvana!

My favourite thing is to go where I've never been.
Diane Arbus