GOOD FOR THE SOUL

Set in the Ayung River Valley and sheathed on all sides by rich jungle foliage, the Sacred River Spa at the Four Seasons is a deeply healing, sacred experience. With the Ayung River raging in the distance (its waters, legend has it, hold mystical powers), the spa features three standalone treatment villas that are larger than most starter homes, each surrounded by lily pad-topped waters and thickets of overgrown Palms. The menu spans a full suite of body and face therapies, along with energy healing rituals and spiritual practices to unite the mind, body, and spirit. Engage in a chakra ceremony to restore balance and harmony to your body’s key energy centers, or indulge in a Codage facial (essentially a workout for your face) that combines massage and gua sha to lift, tone, and boost circulation. fourseasons.com

LEARN LIKE A LOCAL

Capella Hotels & Resorts was recently voted the number one hotel brand in the world by Travel & Leisure, and its Ubud tented retreat goes far beyond ultraluxurious accommodations and Michelinworthy dining alone to truly immerse guests in the local community. Dedicated Capella Culturists are on hand to curate a vast array of personalized activities, experiences that go deeper than traditional tourist traps to foster true escapism and a connection to the land, rituals, and people who have long called the villages of the Ubud district home. Learn how to create Keliki-style paintings, take part in the cleansing ritual of Melukat, discover the myriad healing benefits of the Indonesian medicine of Jamu, or join the local families of Keliki Village to help them prepare penjor (ornate bamboo poles) for the temple festival of Piodalan. capellahotels.com

THE PERFECT PLATE

The only Indonesian member of the highly exclusive Les Grandes Tables du Monde guide, Mozaic is a Balinese icon, a longstanding standout in fi ne pan-Asian dining even in a sea of high-ticket eateries. After an extensive overhaul of both the setting and menu, the restaurant recently reopened its doors under new head chef Blake Thornley and features four different venues. The leafy Dining Room serves a seasonal, botanical-heavy degustation menu; the interactive Chef’s Table features live cooking demonstrations; the Romantic Gazebo is a cozy nook for two; and the newly debuted Tasting Room offers a casual-chic experience with a walk-in wine room, open kitchen, and full bar. Menus are ever-shifting, but expect fresh, creative expressions like coral trout with watermelon and seared scallops with coconut. mozaic-bali.com

AMONG THE TREETOPS

In 1989, only one year after the now legendary ultra-luxury hospitality group Aman opened its inaugural resort in Thailand, the brand’s second concept debuted in Ubud. Set atop a spellbinding site on the feral Ayung River Gorge with sweeping views of the surrounding valley, Amandari is still very much an immersive boutique experience today. The Peter Muller-designed retreat features 31 freestanding guest homes topped with alang-alang thatched roofs (an ode to the homes of the sacred Kede watan Village nearby) and filled with locally crafted curios and décor, from hand-woven fans to kamasan tapestries. The 101-foot main swimming pool is even curved to mimic the region’s famed rice paddies. The hotel offers several tours and activities for guests to further dive into the rich local culture, including traditional Balinese dance lessons, Aksara Bali script writing, private Balinese healing practices, and more. aman.com/resorts/amandari

HOME IS WHERE THE HARTLAND IS

Revered as Bali’s culture capital, Ubud is brimming with haute hotel options, from charming eco-boutiques to lavish five-star resorts, but for a more intimate overnight experience, many visitors opt for standalone homes. The Hartland Estate is a five bedroom mega-mansion carved into the slopes of the fertile Sayan Ridge overlooking a tapestry of rice paddies and untamed jungle. The estate features five decadent bedroom suites tucked into wooden pavilions, each boasting a large open-air deck, outdoor showers, and private garden space. There’s also an 85-foot saltwater infinity pool overlooking the leafy ravine, plus a meditation gazebo, organic vegetable garden, large koi pond, two dining pavilions, and two fully equipped kitchens (though don’t expect to cook as the estate is fully staffed). hartlandestate.com