Ubud is regarded as the cultural centre of Bali. The Javanese Hindu priest Rsi Marhandya came to Bali in the eighth century and meditated at the convergence of the two Wos rivers at Campuan. At this time the area was a centre of natural medicine and healing. ‘Ubad’ is ancient Balinese for ‘medicine’ and consequently how the name Ubud originated.
In the 1930s, foreign artists were encouraged by the royal family to take up residence in the town. It wasn’t until the 1960s that intrepid travelers started coming to Ubud. In the last two decades, Ubud became the place people would go “up north” to escape the south to a still relatively undeveloped village, rich in culture, home to the Balinese royal family and with a growing expat population of writers, artists and poets.
In recent years, Ubud has developed rapidly into a high profile, international destination. Though it definitely has a dynamic unique to the rest of the island, the current infrastructure is straining with the influx to what has now become a heavily travelled tourist destination. Ubud has also become the mecca of yoga retreats in recent years. And hence there is no shortage of retreat centres available. That having been said, not all venues are created equally. After having done what seems like countless site inspections, we were shocked at some of the things we saw – from unfriendly and untrained management and staff, completely unwilling to accommodate and places that were in desperate need of maintenance, cleaning and updating to just plain way overpriced for what they are offering.
We have put together a very selective list of retreat centres for Ubud in different price ranges, all of which are well versed in hosting retreats and good value for money.
Ubud Venues
All of the retreat venues listed our our first picks for Ubud and have been personally inspected by our team. You are not limited by the venues we have listed. Did you have a particular venue in mind or a venue that was recommended to you that you don’t see here? Let us know. If we haven’t already been there, we will do a site inspection to make sure it’s suitable.
Having trouble deciding which location and venue is the best fit for your retreat? Come talk to us at info@balibiuretreatcompany.com and let us help you create the ultimate retreat experience.
Rohani Retreat
If you are looking for a tranquil and inspiring space that won’t blow your budget, Rohani Retreat has extensive experience having hosted business, social entrepreneurship and artistic retreats to wellness and yoga retreats.
Rohani Retreat has a large open air yoga space overlooking the lush jungle as well as a closed, air conditioned workshop space in the rear garden that provides a private, dedicated space for yoga and meditation.
Rohani Retreat offers the following ammenities:
- Daily breakfast
- 1 X Fruit basket upon arrival in the room
- swimming pool
- restaurant
- on-site spa treatments
- open air workshop space
- air conditioned workshop space
- yoga mats, bolsters, blacks & straps
- 3x scheduled shuttle service from hotel to Ubud center between 09:00 am and 17:30 pm
- 1 X Free village tour
- Free wifi throughout hotel
- laundry service
Room Description
Deluxe King/Twin Room – 4 Units
Alam Sari has 4 deluxe rooms, which look out over the swimming pool, with beautiful views to the garden and coconut groves beyond. Each air-conditioned deluxe room has an attached Balinese style garden bathroom, hot water showers, mini bar, and tea/coffee making facilities.
Superior Deluxe Room – 2 units
Alam Sari has 2 suites. These are uniquely decorated rooms with private views and gardens. Each air-conditioned room has a large canopy bed, mini bar, and tea/coffee making facilities, and the attached indoor garden bathroom has a bathtub and separate shower.
Deluxe Family Room – 3 units
Alam Sari has three deluxe family rooms, which look out over the swimming pool, with beautiful views to the garden and coconut groves beyond. Each air-conditioned deluxe room has an attached Balinese style garden bathroom, hot water showers, mini bar, and tea/coffee making facilities.The three family units consist of 2 connected deluxe rooms, a double and a twin, with an interconnecting door. They have 2 separate bathrooms per family unit. These are ideal for families or groups up to 6 people.
Villa Padma – 2 units
Villa Padma is a two bed-roomed villa with two en suite bathrooms, set in an enclosed tropical garden, a quiet retreat for a family or small group looking for their own private space.
Villa Tunjung – 1 unit
Villa Tunjung is a three bed-roomed villa with three en suite bathrooms, set in a lush tropical garden with superb panoramic views from every room. The villa has open plan living and dining areas with cooling mountain breezes. It is tastefully furnished with an open Balinese pavilion, where guests can relax while taking in the magnificent scenery.
Pricing
Rohani Retreat has a Run of the house policy whereby retreat participants will be placed in available rooms of the venue’s choosing. Their pricing is charged per room, regardless of single or twin share, plus meal options. The retreat package pricing includes accommodation, all breakfasts, use of equipment & facilities and 21% government tax & service. For more information about Rohani Retreat Centre pricing as well as their payment, booking and cancellation policies, connect with us at:
Ubud Earth Retreat
Ubud Earth Retreat has 8 bedrooms which can comfortably accommodate 16-18 guests at double occupancy. Villa Gaia is only available for exclusive booking as a whole – offering complete exclusivity for you and your guests.
The large open entrance area on the ground floor can fit up to 60 people for lectures and 30 people for yoga or workshops. There is a projection TV to support your video demonstrations.
Ubud Earth Retreat offers students and teachers the perfect environment; a private and natural setting surrounded by acres of rice terraces and swaying palm trees due to a therapeutic knock-out breeze allowing you to pursue a mindful, health-conscious lifestyle in peace and solitude. They specialize in plant-based cuisine with all ingredients sourced locally and can cater to non vegetarian preferences as well as to clients with specific dietary needs.
Breakfast is inclusive at no extra charge while lunch and dinner are optional at additional cost.
Ubud Earth Retreat offers the following amenities:
- Open Air workshop space that can accommodate up to 30 people
- Access to the entire property (8 rooms sleeping 16 – 18 people)
*NEW* Additional optional 3 Rooms to accommodate up to 24 pax (contact us for details – info@balibiuretreatcomapny.com) - High Definition LCD TV Screen available for demonstrations and TV for movie nights.
- Daily Complimentary Breakfast Buffet
- Welcome flower mandala arrangement
- All natural soap & shampoo and made locally in Bali
- Free Wifi
- Unlimited supply of drinking water, herbal tea + Balinese coffee
- Private chlorine-free swimming pool
- infrared sauna
- hot tub jacuzzi
- Your choice of 2 complimentary excursions for your guests to enjoy for group outings:
– Kecak Fire & Trance Dance Show
– Tirta Empul Holy Water Spring Cleanse
– Historical Temples & Meditation Chambers of Gunung Kawi
-Tegenungan Waterfall
Room Description
Villa Gaia can sleep 16 people total and can accommodate up to 18 people in “family” dorm style fashion if needed in the largest room, the master bedroom.
Master Bedroom – 4 single beds or 2 double beds – Upstairs. Large Patio with Views of Rice Terrace, Bathtub, Indoor + Outdoor Shower
Terrace Suite – 2 single beds or 1 double bed – Upstairs. Large Patio with Views of Rice Terrace. Indoor Bathroom & Standing Shower.
Terrace en suite – 2 single beds or 1 double bed – Upstairs. Cozy room facing the garden. Shared bathroom with the Terrace Suite. Best as a single or double bedroom for the teacher as this room shares a bathroom with the Terrace Suite yet has its own private entrance.
The Four Seasons – 2 single beds or 1 double bed – Indoor Bathtub & Outdoor Shower. Pool view.
The Bamboo Suite – 2 single beds or 1 double bed – Open Sky Standing Shower. Large wardrobe area.
Garden Suite – 2 single beds or 1 double bed – Open Sky Shower & Bathtub. Garden View
Lotus Suite Room I – 2 single beds or 1 double bed – En suite indoor bathroom. Garden View.
Lotus Suite Room II – 2 single beds or 1 double bed – En suite indoor bathroom. Garden View.
*There are now an additional optional 3 Rooms to accommodate up to 24 pax at additional cost – contact us for details: info@balibiuretreatcomapny.com
Pricing
Ubud Earth retreat is only available for exclusive booking of the entire venue and is priced per night, including breakfast. There are additional meal options available at extra cost. For more information about Ubud Earth Retreat pricing, as well as their payment, booking and cancellation policies, connect with us at:
Bali Teak Resort & Retreat
If you are looking for a higher end, luxury retreat venue – this is it. Bali Teak Resort & Retreat is set in 5 hectares of hillside gardens amongst lush tropical forests in the mountains of Ubud, Bali. With the temperatures at night averaging 18-23 degrees Celsius, it’s a refreshing, welcome change to the sweltering South. Accommodations consist of 8 deluxe spa villas, each with private spa facilities and 12 superior villas with wide windows overlooking the tropical forest and both the Deluxe and Superior villas have expansive verandas with day beds. There is also a 2-bedroom pool villa and 2 one-bedroom pool villas available, each with private pool facing lush tropical forest, and private living room equipped with entertainment centre. Additionally, there are now 5 Superior Chalets with two bedrooms each.
A complete health and wellbeing centre, organic gardens and gourmet restaurant, offer guests the true spirit and grace of Asian inspired traditional healing.
The superior villas and Superior Chalets are spacious with large bathrooms. Each villa has a private veranda where guests can enjoy stunning views of mountains, valleys and lush tropical flora and fauna. Each room is equipped with shower/toilet, refrigerator, coffee & tea making facilities, telephone, hair dryer, safety box, bathrobe & slippers, bathroom amenities, daily fruit basket and water. All beds can be made either king size or twin share.
Bali Teak Resort & Retreat also offers the following amenities:
- accommodation in the Superior Chalet or Superior Villa (the pool villas are also available for an extra charge)
- Daily Breakfast
- Daily Dinner (including 1 special Farewell dinner)
- 1 hour Balinese massage per person
- use of yoga shalas Yoga room according to the number of participants
- Balinese Blessing at hotel temple as opening ceremony
- Complimentary Daily Retreat Activities according to schedule
- Free use of our health and well-being facilities (Pool, Gym, Hot Jacuzzi and Herbal steam bath in Spa pavilion)
- A plate of tropical fruit (replaced daily)
- 2 complimentary bottles of mineral water per day per room & free refills for those who bring their own water bottles
- on-site spa
- swimming pool
- Free Inter connection (Wi-Fi) in guest villas and public area
Pricing
Bali Teak Resort & Retreat pricing is set as a package price depending on the number of nights of the retreat which includes accommodation, use of workshop spaces and facilities and all breakfasts and dinners. Lunches are charged separately. For more information about Bali Teak Resort & Retreat pricing, as well as their payment, booking and cancellation policies, connect with us at:
info@balibiuretreatcompany.com
Ubud Spirit Retreat Centre
Set beautifully on 30 acres in the ancient Junjungan village, Ubud Spirit Centre is surrounded by lush tropical gardens, unending green emerald rice fields, and plantations of coconut and banana trees in distance. This is one of the few purpose-built retreat venues that can accommodate large groups.
The resort is a 5-minute drive from the Ubud center, offers a perfect blend of comfort and the very best of Balinese warmth reflected in each of the 41 rooms, one stunning infinity pool, and two story open-air restaurant overlooking the stunning landscape. The resort also offers impressive multi-function 176sqm yoga hall fully equipped with a full range of audio visual and presentatoin equipment, yoga mats, swings and cushions. The yoga hall can accommodate up to 80 for a seated event.
The 40 spacious rooms and two 2-Villa suites with private pool provide quality and comfort. Enjoy the free form infinity pool and open-air restaurant with spectacular views, while the their on-site spa is an oasis for those who seek relaxation and rejuvenation.
Room amenities includes air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, bathrobe, hairdryer, daily basket of tropical fruits, minibar, umbrella, shower with hot and cold water.
Ubud Spirit Centre also offers the following amenities for retreat group bookings:
accommodation
Welcome drink upon arrival
Daily healthy breakfast for max 2 people per room, a-la carte
1 Complimentary 15 minute foot massage
3 hours of Yoga studio time per day
Yoga mats and cushions
1,5 hours of the roof top workshop space per day
1 Daily Yoga class
Over flow refill mineral water
Ubud Spirit Centre also offers additional inclusions for larger groups. Contact us for details:
info@balibiuretreatcompany.com
Pricing
Ubud Spririt Retreat Centre pricing is priced per night depending on the size of the group. The retreat package pricing includes accommodation, use of workshop spaces and facilities. Meals are served buffet style and priced separately. For more information about Ubud Spirit Retreat Centre pricing, as well as their payment, booking and cancellation policies, connect with us at: info@balibiuretreatcompany.com
Ubud Excursions
Discover Ubud! Our Ubud excursions are designed to show you the highlights of this unique part of the island. Of course if you had a particular destination or point of interest you wanted to see, let us know and we can fully customize an excursion for you and your group. We also offer full day tours to different parts of the island. To see our day tour options, CLICK HERE.
Ubud Perma-Culture Excursion
Enjoy a rice field trek and learn about Balinese agriculture along the way. Stop at an Organic restaurant for lunch (lunch not included) and visit a coffee plantation to see the process of traditionally grown and roasted coffee, plus sample tastings of different types of coffees and tea. And for the adventurous, a chance to experience ‘Kopi Luwak’, the most unique coffee in the world.
Ubud Temple Excursion
Goa Gajah was built in the 9th century, on a hillside and as two small streams met here forming a campuhan or river junction, the site was considered sacred and was built for hermetic meditation and prayers. Gunung Kawi is Bali’s own Valley of the Kings. The holy waters of the Pakersian River that flow through the centre of Gunung Kawi are believed to sanctify the site. Tirta Empul, built in 962 A.D., meaning ‘holy water spring’ is actually the name of a water source located within the temple. The spring feeds various purification baths, pools and fish ponds. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu, another Hindu god name for the supreme consciousness, Narayana.
Ubud Excursion
Normally offered as a full day tour from other parts of the island, the Ubud excursion can be done in as a morning or afternoon activity. It starts with a tour of the coffee plantation and your chance to experience ‘Kopi Luwak’, the most unique coffee in the world. Then we take you to the Tegallalang rice terraces, a marvel of engineering and beauty, followed by the famed Ubud monkey forest, then a stop at the Ubud market for a bit of browsing or shopping.
Ubud Activities
Ubud is known as the cultural heart of Bali so there are no shortage of cultural activities to check out, but Ubud also offers adventure activities for adrenaline junkies looking to get their fix. Our Ubud activities are available for both inclusion as part of the retreat package or as activities for individual retreat participants during their free time. We also offer full day tours to different parts of the island. To see our day tour options, CLICK HERE.
Cycling Adventure
Starting in Kintamani, within view of Mount Batur volcano, this breathtaking bicycle tour winds through 26km of lush valleys, through Balinese Villages, past century-old temples and rich green rice fields.
ATV Safaris
It's four-wheel fun! Explore Bali off-road. No experience necessary! Instruction provided for single riders or go tandem with a driver.
White Water Rafting
Appease your inner adrenaline junkie - get wet and wild while you experience a thrilling and scenic journey along Ayung River in Ubud.
Mason Elephant Safari Park
The multi-award winning Mason elephant park is Bali’s only dedicated elephant rescue facility, and is home to 31 critically-endangered Sumatran elephants, 4 of which were born there. The park provides guests with the rare opportunity to get up close and personal to interact with and learn about these gentle giants.
Balinese Art & Crafts
Ubud is after all, Bali's cultural arts centre – what better place to take an art course! From making batik, ceramics & jewellery to traditional mak painting, wood carving and basket weaving, Ubud is the place to get your creative juices flowing.
Balinese Gamelan & Dance Performance
No visit to Bali would be complete without seeing some of the island's colorful traditional dances. Experience the magic and mystique of this unique culture. Also available as a dinner package.
Balinese Cooking Class
Balinese dishes and recipes are closely tied to the community’s culture and ways of living, and cooking offers an unparalleled means to immerse in the local lifestyle. For those who seek to learn more about Balinese culture, or for foodies who want to create those spicy delicious meals themselves, taking a cooking class is just one of the fantastic activities Ubud has to offer.
For our list of full day tours, CLICK HERE. For more information about our Ubud activities, or if there is something you would like to see or do that you don’t see listed here, contact us at info@balibiuretreatcompany.com.