“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” Susan Sontag
Bidadari Private Villas and Retreat, nestled among the terraced rice fields above Ubud, promised an unforgettable experience in our own private hide-away and that is exactly what we got, unbridled luxury in our own enchanting two-storey villa in the Bali rainforest. A M A Z I N G!
One of the requirements of our trip was to see as much as of Bali as we could in the limited two-week timeframe and to stay at different types of accommodations to experience what this beautiful Island of the Gods had to offer. Bidadari (pronounced Bee-da-dari) is like nothing I have ever experienced before, a new level of unadulterated lavishness. The high-level of service began before we even arrived when the courtesy car collected us from central Ubud and whisked us up through local villages to our rainforest sanctuary, where we were greeted personally by name by all the waiting staff. Check-in completed we were taken to Villa 5 called Pucuk (complete with quirky front door) located down a flight of steep steps, set into the lush manicured gardens where our butler (yes, that said butler) was waiting with fresh lime welcome drinks and chilled towels.
All food and beverages are served in the villas as Bidadari doesn’t have a restaurant but the resident chef can cater to all dietary needs and whims which are available at the press of a button, nothing is too much trouble. Complementary afternoon tea was served on the deck by our butler (so awesome) as we soaked up the view of the greenery beyond from our elevated position. Further evidence of the unprecedented level of service came with the flexibility of the driver at our disposal for anywhere we wished to go in the Ubud area, they even issued us with of our own local mobile phone to contact him and the hotel at any point when off the property, how good is that! We ventured out using this service both nights of our stay as we had fell in love with Ubud and wanted to maximise our time there but those wanting to dine at Bidadari could enjoy a barbecue feast or romantic poolside dinner prepared by the chef.
It’s hardly surprising to learn that earlier this year Bidadari won a coveted and prestigious International Hotel Award for a five-star resort hotel in Indonesia. General manager Rani Diana and his whole team really go the extra mile with their Balinese hospitality, discreet yet professional and unobtrusive service. Simple yet effective extra touches like a personal good night written on a leaf and placed on the bed with the robes, freshly baked cookies left by the bed every evening, strategically placed fresh flowers and oodles of genuine warmth and courtesy.
The Nitty Gritty
Jalan Raya Kelabang-Moding
Kelabang-Moding Tegallalang 80571 Indonesia
Telephone : (+62) 361 9000 401
Email address: info@bidadarivillasubudbali.com
I booked using Booking.com but you can also book with Bidadari direct and be rewarded with some special treats (based on the amount of nights you stay). Specific packages can also de designed when booking direct, visit the rates and packages page here
The Good…….
Fabulous rainforest location
Unrivalled levels of attentive service
Special and Romantic experience
The Not so Good…….
Mosquito central (buy some local mossy spray to ward off the pesky critters and take anti-histamine tablets with you for Bali in general)
It’s not cheap
Remote but there is a complimentary driver drop off and pick up service to and from Ubud
Read previous Bali posts In Pictures – A Postcard From Bali, Discover Bali – Jimbaran, Beachside Beauty: Intercontinental Bali Resort Review, Rumah Desa: A Balinese Home and Cooking studio, Discover Bali – Ubud and Boutique Style: Alaya Resort Ubud Review. Unless otherwise stated, all photos on this page © Jo Brett 2015. All rights reserved. Photo of the hotel staff used courtesy of Bidadari Private Villas and Retreat.