Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Luxury at Puri Artha Hotel, Ubud
Escape to Paradise… or Bust? A Review of Puri Artha Hotel, Ubud (Spoiler: It's Complicated)
Okay, so picture this: You've just landed in Ubud. You're already buzzing from the flight, the air smells of frangipani and a thousand promises, and you’re desperately hoping your hotel lives up to the Instagram hype. (Let’s be real, who doesn't check Insta before booking?) Puri Artha Hotel promised "Unforgettable Luxury," and honestly, after a week there, I'm still trying to untangle that statement. Let's dive, shall we? Buckle up, because it's gonna be a bit of a roller coaster.
First Impressions (and Accessibility - A Mixed Bag):
Right off the bat, the hotel is visually stunning. Lush greenery, traditional Balinese architecture, the whole shebang. Accessibility, though? Well, that's where things got…interesting. The exterior corridor design is a plus for air flow and fresh air. But navigating the grounds with any mobility challenges? Elevators are present (thank the heavens!), but the layout is sprawling. I’d say, it probably isn’t the most accessible hotel. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, and I saw ramps in a few places, but I wasn't exactly able to do a rigorous wheelchair compatibility assessment. Definitely inquire specifically about room accessibility and paths to key areas before booking. This isn’t a deal breaker, but it is something to be very aware of.
Check-in, Chill Out, or… Frustration?:
The Check-in/out [express] option is a lifesaver for a quick getaway, though I opted for the full experience. The Front desk [24-hour] is great for obvious reasons. Contactless check-in/out, a godsend in this post-pandemic world, was available too. I also appreciated the Luggage storage because what's a Balinese adventure without some serious shopping?
The Room: Paradise Found (Almost):
My room was gorgeous. Seriously, the air conditioning worked like a dream (crucial!), Blackout curtains meant I could sleep in when I actually wanted to (rare!), and the bathtub was calling my name after a long day of temple hopping. The bathrobes were fluffy, the slippers were disposable, and the free bottled water kept me hydrated. Essential. I loved the balcony, a perfect spot to sip my complimentary complimentary tea while (attempting) to journal. But… and here’s the inevitable “but” – the Wi-Fi [free] was a bit spotty. I mean, come on, are we still paying for a connection? The internet access – wireless was listed, but sometimes I felt like I was living in the Dark Ages. Ugh.
Food Glorious Food (And the Occasional Stomach Ache):
Okay, the food. This is where things got… well, diverse.
- Breakfast [buffet]: A solid start. The Asian breakfast was delicious, the Western breakfast offerings were decent, and the Coffee/tea in restaurant was readily available. I mean, a buffet is buffet.
- Restaurants: There are, thankfully, a few to choose from. Restaurants had A la carte in restaurant, and Asian cuisine in restaurant. I am pretty sure, also from the menu, that International cuisine in restaurant was offered.
- Poolside bar: Loved this. Perfect for a sunset cocktail after a day of exploring. The Poolside bar provided a much-needed escape from the scorching sun. Pure bliss.
- Room service [24-hour]: A life saver. Especially for those late-night hunger pangs.
- Snack bar: Useful.
- Vegetarian restaurant: A big plus for me.
- Desserts in restaurant: Oh, the desserts! I remember one particular chocolate mousse… It was pure heaven.
- Alternative meal arrangement: If you have any dietary restrictions, you can ask the chefs to help offer you something.
- Safe dining setup: Good to know. Though, at times, I did get a little… uneasy about the cleanliness. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Daily disinfection in common areas, but still..
- Breakfast in room: A nice option.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Convenient for early morning excursions.
**The biggest letdown of the entire trip: The food poisoning. I'm not going to specify which dish, but the next day I was laid up in bed, completely out of commission for one of the most important days of the trip. And while the hotel staff did arrange for a *Doctor/nurse on call* and they did offer First aid kit the whole issue really soured the whole experience.**
Relaxation Station (Or, How I Tried to De-Stress):
Now, this is where Puri Artha really shines. If you want to unwind, this is absolutely the place.
- Spa: AMAZING. Seriously, book a massage immediately. The massage itself was heavenly.
- Sauna: Steamy, but in the best way possible.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: The Pool with view was an absolute Instagram dream.
- Fitness center and Gym/fitness: They have a decent Gym/fitness, if you have the energy to leave your comfortable room.
I indulged in a Body scrub and a Body wrap, both of which left me feeling like a pampered goddess. I particularly remember the Foot bath – pure indulgence. The Steamroom was also a great place to get away from the world for a time.
Things to Do (Beyond the Spa):
The hotel offers a bunch of activities, but mostly it’s about the location. You're in Ubud, which is practically paradise.
- Things to do: So many temples! The Shrine on the grounds offers a hint of Bali's spiritual side.
- Getting around: Airport transfer is available for getting to and from the hotel.
- The taxi service is relatively convenient.
- Car park [free of charge] for those who rented cars.
- Bicycle parking is available.
Service and Conveniences (The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Odd):
- Air conditioning in public area: A godsend.
- Concierge: Super helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: The room was always spotless.
- Doorman: Welcome security.
- Dry cleaning and Laundry service: Essential for a long trip.
- Currency exchange: Convenient.
- Cash withdrawal: Also convenient.
- Convenience store: Perfect for grabbing a bottle of water (Bottle of water!) or a snack.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Touristy, but hey, you needed that "I Heart Ubud" t-shirt, right?
The Oddities:
- Smoking area: It's a thing.
- Pets allowed unavailable: This is a no pets allowed property.
- Additional toilet in my room, which was never used.
- The occasional "essential condiments" (presumably) disappearing off the breakfast buffet.
- Invoice provided, though sometimes it took a while.
For the Kids (and those who are still kids at heart):
Puri Artha is Family/child friendly, with Kids facilities and Babysitting service. I didn’t travel with children, so I can’t speak to the specifics, but they seemed to have a good setup.
Cleanliness and Safety (The Post-Pandemic Reality):
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Reassuring.
- Hand sanitizer present everywhere.
- Hygiene certification.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Makes sense.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly adhered to.
- Rooms sanitized between stays.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Hopefully well.
Business Stuff (I Barely Touched This, TBH):
- Business facilities: They have all the usual suspects, including Meetings, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meeting stationery, and Xerox/fax in business center. I'm not sure what the Indoor venue for special events and Outdoor venue for special events are, but they exist.
Final Verdict: A Mixed Bag, But Mostly Worth It
Overall, Puri Artha is beautiful, relaxing, and offers a good (if sometimes imperfect) experience. The staff are lovely, the spa is amazing, and the location is perfect for exploring Ubud. But be prepared for some potential hiccups, especially regarding accessibility and food safety. Would I go back? Possibly. After a thorough scrubbing of my insides.
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- Title: Puri Artha Hotel Ubud Review: Is This Paradise? (A No-Holds-Barred Look)
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Puriartha Pilgrimage (and Shenanigans): My Bali Blowout - A Messy Itinerary
Okay, so here’s the deal. I’m in Bali. Specifically, Hotel Puriartha Ubud. And I'm here for "spiritual growth" (aka, trying to sort my life out after a recent… incident). This itinerary? Let's just say it's a loose guideline. Think more "suggestion" than "strict commandment." Expect detours, meltdowns (both good and bad), and a healthy dose of questionable life choices. Wish me luck, I'm gonna need it.
Day 1: Arrival & "Finding My Center" (LOL)
- Morning (7:00 AM): Landed in Denpasar. The smell of frangipani punched me in the face. Wonderful! My inner turmoil is actually screaming as I wait for my luggage. Found it immediately after a frantic search around the carousel.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Ride to Ubud. Bali traffic is a special kind of hell. My driver kept trying to sell me things, but honestly, I was too distracted by the sheer chaos to even fake interest. Finally arrived at Puriartha – it’s even prettier than the photos, with lush gardens and a pool that screams “Instagram potential.”
- Morning (10:00 AM): Checked in. The staff are ridiculously friendly. I already feel like I’ve been hugged by a giant, warm cloud. My room? Overlooking rice paddies. I’m officially a cliché.
- Morning (11:00 AM): Attempted “Finding My Center.” Which translated to… sitting cross-legged on my balcony, trying to breathe, and failing miserably. My mind is a goddamn pinball machine. Kept getting distracted by the sounds of chickens and the view. (My inner peace is a work in progress.)
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Ordered Nasi Goreng (obvious, I know, but I needed it). Actually… surprisingly good. And cheap. I could definitely get used to this. Almost choked on my rice when a monkey tried to steal a spring roll off the plate of the woman next to me! I was laughing so hard I started crying.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Pool Time. Okay, THIS is what I came for. Swimming in the infinity pool, staring at the rice paddies, letting the sun bake away some of my existential dread. Definitely feeling better, although I might have spent slightly too much time judging the swimsuits of others. (Don’t judge me, I’m human!)
- Evening (6:00 PM): Sunset drinks. The hotel's bar is a lovely spot; the bartender makes a mean Mojito. Chatted with a couple from England who are "finding themselves" after their divorce. God bless them.
- Evening (8:00 PM): Dinner at Warung Babi Guling (a local restaurant). Spicy pork with crackling… Worth. Every. Calorie. I almost died from happiness. And then I fell asleep with a half-eaten plate of pork on my lap. (Classy, I know.)
Day 2: Culture & Caffeine (and Maybe a Panic Attack?)
- Morning (7:00 AM): Woke up feeling strangely… rested. Blame it on the pork coma. Attempted yoga on my balcony. Ended up mostly giggling at my own lack of flexibility. The chickens provided excellent background music.
- Morning (8:00 AM): MASSIVE breakfast. Pancakes, fruit and yes, MORE coffee. This is the fuel that drives my chaos.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Visited the Ubud Monkey Forest. Oh. My. God. These monkeys are absolute TERRORS. One tried to steal my backpack. Another grabbed my camera. I had expected zen, peace, and connection to nature. I got a primal scream and a mild heart attack every five minutes. Definitely feeling my inner child come out - and by "out," I mean, screaming and flailing like a tiny, terrified toddler. I’m traumatized, but in a good way?
- Morning (11:00 AM): Tried to find some peace at the Saraswati Temple. Beautiful. Serene. Until I started worrying about my impending doom (you know, the usual). My brain is a relentless tyrant.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch at a cute little cafe. Ordered the wrong dish and ended up with something involving deep-fried banana and chili sauce. It was… an experience. Ate the whole thing because, well, Bali.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Coffee Plantation tour. Okay, the coffee is good, but the real show? The civet cats that… well, you know. I might have spent a little too much time pondering the absurdity of it all. What is life?
- Afternoon (5:00 PM): Shopping at Ubud Market. Bought a ridiculously oversized hat. Possibly also a sarong that looks suspiciously like a tablecloth. Impulse control? Non-existent.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Traditional Balinese Dance Performance. Absolutely gorgeous. The music, the costumes, the intricate movements… I was genuinely moved. Okay, maybe I teared up a little. (Don’t judge me.) Suddenly, the world felt a little less… terrifying.
- Evening (9:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Beer on the balcony, staring at the stars. Finally, a moment of peace, after being overwhelmed by sensory overload and emotional rollercoaster. Fell asleep before I could finish my beer.
Day 3: Spa Day and… More Existential Dread?
- Morning (8:00 AM): Sigh. Another breakfast. Still can't believe how cheaply I eat.
- Morning (9:00 AM): SPA DAY! Went to the Puriartha Spa (duh). This is the reason I came here. The massage… the aromatherapy… heaven. I think I actually fell asleep for a few hours. For the first time in ages, my mind was still. It was one of those weird, twilight moments where you don't know if you're awake or dreaming.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Lunch, pool, repeat. Might have developed a slight addiction to the sun and the feeling of weightlessness.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Okay, here comes the messy part. Walked around Ubud, trying to find a yoga class. Got hopelessly lost. Started sweating. My inner critic decided this was the perfect moment to launch a full-scale assault. Ended up having a minor meltdown on the side of the road. (Turns out, existential dread and map-reading don’t mix.)
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Found a small, dusty warung and ordered an iced coffee. Sat there, nursing my drink, and watching the world go by. Realized something profound: It’s okay to be lost. It’s okay to fall apart. It’s okay to be a hot, sweaty mess. (Maybe. Kinda.)
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Campuhan Ridge Walk. The view was stunning. The food was… okay. But the conversation? Met an elderly couple from Italy who had been backpacking around the world for 50 years. My perspective on life shifted again.
- Evening (9:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Took a long bath. Drank some wine. Wrote in this ridiculous diary. Feeling slightly less… undone. Maybe.
Days 4-7: The Unfolding (And Possibly More Pork)
- This is where things get blurry. Expect: more monkeys, more spice, more questionable life choices, more moments of profound beauty, and probably, definitely, more pork. I’m thinking of trying a cooking class. Hiking. Maybe even learning how to surf. Or at the very least, mastering the art of perfectly balancing a plate of Nasi Goreng on my lap.
- The takeaway is: Bali is a wild ride. It's messy, it's beautiful, and it's challenging. And I'm embracing it, one messy, imperfect, delicious moment at a time. Wish me luck, I have quite a lot of unpacking to do.
- Oh, and one more thing… If you see a woman, wearing a ridiculously oversized hat, wandering aimlessly around Ubud, looking slightly terrified but also perpetually blissed out… that’s probably me. Come say hello. I might need a friend. Or at least, someone to help me carry all my sarongs.
Escape to Paradise: Puri Artha Hotel, Ubud - The REAL Deal (FAQ)
Okay, spill the beans. Is Puri Artha REALLY as dreamy as the photos?
I'm a foodie! Is the food as good as the views?
Spa time! Is the spa experience worth it?
How's the location? Is it easy to get around?
What’s the vibe of the hotel? Is it romantic, family-friendly, or what?
Any other tips for a successful stay?
Okay, Final Verdict: Would you go back (and why)?
