For overblown opulence and total seclusion, stay at the Viceroy Bali. The private pools in the villas overlook Bali’s “Valley of the Kings” and jungle sounds waft up at night-time. Villas from £588 per night
Alila Ubud hotel is perched on the edge of the Ayung River valley: at dusk monkeys lope past the pool on their way back into the jungle; at night gamelan music drifts over from the nearby temple. From £115 per night.
Shop
Ubud is an arts and crafts haven with many market stalls to visit, plus the excellent Seniwati Gallery, which exhibits female artists.
Do
For the best breakfast you’ll ever have, you have to start climbing Mount Batur, an active volcano near Ubud, at 4am. Once you’ve reached the top – it’s a tough climb – the guides cook eggs for the group as the sun rises. Then run back down the mountain like the locals do.
You can’t miss a trip to the sacred monkey forest – a slightly terrifying walk through the sanctuary filled with macaque monkeys. It’s rather fun to watch tourists with selfie sticks get jumped on by irritated monkeys.
Eat
Worth the effort is a morning walk through the rice paddies to Sari Organik, a restaurant on stilts above the terraced fields, which specialises in local produce.
Murni’s Warung serves up traditional Indonesian dishes on four open-air levels decorated with Balinese art. murnis.com
The food at CafĂ© Lotus is good, but what makes a dinner here really special is if you book to watch dancers and musicians play at the temple. Separated from the stage by a lily pond, it’s a magical experience.
Spa
There are budget massage options advertised all over town, but for something a little more luxurious (but still affordable at around £30), book into the spa at Uma by Como. Try a couple’s massage – particularly good, if your husband is squeamish about a treatment on his own.
Drink
Wine is expensive so stick to cocktails or the local beer, Bitung. Try Bar Luna, or drive to the beach for the Potato Head bar and watch the sunset.
Fly with
Singapore Airlines flies four times daily from London Heathrow and daily from Manchester to Singapore for onward connections to Bali. economy fares start from £790pp.
Resource:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk