If you plan to spend time in Ubud, one of Bali’s major cultural centers, Samastiti Villa rental in Ubud, is a great choice. It is one of the only private villas in Ubud that is centrally located, making it convenient to everything in Ubud, but at the same time, it faces a small rice field and is a private oasis of peace. It is located near the Yoga Barn, Bali’s premier Yoga studio, so it is a great place to take some “me” time. If you’re looking for a private retreat that you’ll be happy to call home during your time in Bali, this villa has everything you’re looking for.
I came to Bali to relax and recuperate and practice. I was looking to stay somewhere that will help maintain a peaceful and meditative state of mind.

How to get to Samastiti Villa rental in Ubud, Bali

Samastiti villa is located about 1 hour away from Denpasar airport, the main airport in Bali. Denpasar Airport (DPS) has direct flights from most Asian cities and Amsterdam and London.
The villa arranged a driver to pick me up from the airport, which was very convenient. He waited for me at the arrival hall and brought my luggage to the car.

TIP: If you are staying at Samastiti villa, I highly recommend using one of their drivers. It is cheap and convenient. The villa is tucked away behind the main street and not easy to find, so using a recommended driver makes your arrival easier.

Checking in at Samastiti villa rental in Ubud

Check-in was very easy. We had provided our arrival time to the owner, and Desak, the housekeeper, was there to welcome us. She showed us the villa and gave us fresh drinks. She also showed us the guest book that has a lot of local recommendations for nearby restaurants and activities.

The villa and bedrooms at Samastiti villa rental in Ubud

The villa has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and even an amazing luxurious infinity pool, surrounded by lush greenery.
The bedrooms are decorated with a clean and serene style, like the rest of the house. The beds are comfortable, with nice linens.
The bedrooms have electric windows near the ceiling that can be opened at the touch of a button. This is great for people who don’t use AC. Those top windows have a mosquito fence and are great to provide natural ventilation.

The art in the villa is quite impressive and gives it a lot of its character. It was built by Dewa Nyoman Batuan, who is one of Bali’s most famous painters. There are still many of his paintings in the villa, and you can see his paintings in many museums around Bali and the world. He also created spectacular murals on the walls of the garden. We felt a bit like we were living in a beautiful museum.

While the internet isn’t always reliable anywhere in Bali, the villa has wifi with the best provider in the country. We were impressed with the speed of the connection and could use Skype video or WhatsApp video without a problem. You’ll usually be able to get online with a speed of 100 MB.

The bathrooms are nice and luxurious. One is indoors, and one is outside. The outside bathroom even has a fishpond. If you talk to Desak, you can feed the fish yourself, which I found a very relaxing morning activity.

All of these great amenities make this villa a luxurious home away from home for your Balinese vacation. And it is a great bargain as we got this villa with its private pool for about the same amount that you’d pay for a small room at the hotel next door.

TIP: You will need to book in advance as this is one of Airbnb’s most popular villas in Ubud. It usually gets booked up 2-3 months in advance, so it does require a bit of planning.

Samastiti villa rental is located near the Yoga Barn. The famous Yoga Barn is only a few minutes’ walks. It is Bali’s biggest and best Yoga studio and a great place whether you want to do a yoga retreat or just take a few classes. After your yoga practice, you can come back to your own private sanctuary at Samastiti villa and relax by the pool or on the meditation deck. When you’re there in the villa, you won’t even realize that you’re so close to town. I spent hours floating by the edge of the infinity pool watching the wildlife around me.

The hosts were very accommodating and helped us with all of our needs. If you need a driver, recommendations for activities, or anything else, they’ll do what they can to help you have the best stay possible. Desak, the housekeeper, will take care of everything for us and is very friendly and helpful.

TIPS: When traveling to Ubud, be sure to bring some basics that will help keep you comfortable: mosquito repellent (you can find it in local shops, but you definitely don’t want to be caught without it); an umbrella, for the sudden tropical rains; and flashlights, as not all streets are lighted. You may want to bring your own alcohol at duty-free because taxes in Bali make it very expensive.

Restaurants in Ubud

While breakfast is not offered at the villa, three great breakfast options within a 5-minute walk offer a better breakfast than most villas. You should try breakfast at Yoga Barn after your morning yoga practice. Their cafe has a variety of healthy options and the tastiest fruit salad ever. Other great choices for breakfast are Kakiang, the Japanese bakery. Or there are 2 French bakeries within 5 minutes’ walk. Mister Spoon has a cult-like following for its chocolate croissant, but my favorite was Daily Baguette.

For lunch and dinner, if you like spicy food, Kedaton restaurant is super cheap and only a few minute’s walk from the villa.
Other Indonesian restaurants are nearby as well, at different price ranges. Locavore is an amazing experience, but you’ll have to book a couple of months in advance. You’ll also find Italian, Western, and Japanese options with over 50 restaurants available within a 5-minute walk. Ubud is one of the best food destinations in Southeast Asia. With over 500 restaurants in Ubud, no matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it here.
Do read my article on the best restaurants in Ubud.

What to do in Ubud

TIP: If you’re visiting Ubud, make sure you stay in the center. Traffic can be horrible, and a villa advertised as being 10 minutes drive to central Ubud can often be over 40 minutes due to traffic.

We were so comfortable in the villa that we found it hard to leave. But there are plenty of things to do in and around Ubud, so make sure you go out of the villa.
You’ll be surrounded by nature, with the Monkey Forest nearby. At the same time, you’ll be close to Ubud’s restaurants and shopping, so there’s plenty to do. The Samastiti villa is within walking distance of everything Ubud has to offer.

The Monkey Forest is right next to the villa, so you’ll definitely want to check it out. It’s managed by the local community. The monkeys are of course a great thing to see, but the ancient temples are also definitely worth your time.
The rice terraces that cover the countryside are an example of one of the oldest forms of irrigation in the world. Not only will you be able to enjoy stunning views, but you’ll also get to see traditional Balinese craftspeople in action in many of these villages. We did a bicycle tour that the villa helped us book and it was amazing. One of our best activities in Bali!

Shopping is also a great activity. The house is located at the bottom of Hanoman street, which is one of the main shopping streets in Ubud. The other main streets for fashion and art are Jalan Monkey Forest and Jalan Dewi Sita. We found the market on Jalan Raya Ubud a bit too touristy. The market has all kind of clothing and beautiful silk scarves, statues and other carvings, hand-woven baskets, and a lot more. If you have the time, also check the nearby villages: Jalan Andong and Tegallalang have the wholesales shops, so you can buy the same art objects as in Ubud center but for half of the price. Mas is also a great place to look for furniture.

Of course, there are many temples to visit all around Bali. In Ubud, the three main temples are Gunung Kawi, Goa Gajah, and Tirta Empul. They are well worth getting out of the villa for. We managed to cover all three temples in a half-day tour.
The Arma Museum is a beautiful museum located with 5 minutes walk of the villa. It’s great for learning about Indonesian artists. It also has many paintings from the same artist who built Samastiti villa, so it is fun to explore and try and find his paintings.

The Royal Palace also has regular dance performances, and the architecture and gardens are unique and well worth a visit.
All of these places are easily accessible from Samastiti villa, and if you need any advice, you can always ask Desak for help with arranging transportation.

TIP: There is so much to do in Ubud that we wished we stayed longer. We tried to extend our stay, but the villa was already fully booked. So make sure you book enough days. I would say 4-5 days is a minimum and more if you want to do yoga at the nearby Yoga Barn.

Conclusion

We had an amazing time at Samastiti villa.
Its location in the center of Ubud, combined with a quiet location, comfortable rooms, and beautiful view makes it an amazing place to stay.
There’s no need to spend extra money on a fancy hotel when this villa has everything you could need. The pool is amazing, especially at night, and the home is a great retreat right in Ubud, the cultural center of Bali.
Samastiti villa will be good for honeymooners, friends or even families looking for an amazing stay in the center of Ubud.
For booking and information, visit the Samastiti Ubud website.   

Or you can also book via their Airbnb website