Your Ultimate Guide to AmanDari: Luxury Stays, Unique Experiences, and Local Delights

Bali is home to three Aman properties: Aman Villas in Nusa Dua, Amankila where the ocean meets the cliff, and Amandari tucked in Kedewatan, Ubud. Amandari, opened in 1989, was Aman Group’s second resort and the first to weave a traditional Balinese village into its architecture. Perched on a steep hillside above the Ayung River, nestled between jungle and terraced rice fields, Amandari felt like a sanctuary during my stay. This review highlights what matters most to travelers—rooms, resort facilities, and dining.

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The Amandari experience begins the moment you step off your plane. A staff member meets you at arrivals with a warm smile and escorts you toward the resort.

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Your private transfer is stocked with chilled towels, bottled water, and light snacks—little touches that make the 90-minute drive feel effortless. The vehicle also carries a preview of Amandari’s activities so you can start planning before you even arrive.

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On arrival you’re welcomed with warm smiles and a calming hush that sets the tone. Check-in is handled privately in peaceful surroundings rather than at a busy front desk, which immediately feels more personal. After check-in, settle into an outdoor spot overlooking the pool with a chilled towel and welcome drink.

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Amandari’s accommodations come in pavilions and villas. Pavilions open on three sides with sliding glass doors to a private courtyard and are outfitted with teak finishes and coconut palms. Villas look out over the terraced rice paddies and the Ayung River valley—perfect if you want extra space. I stayed in a single-level Garden Pavilion, which featured a king bed, dual sinks, and a separate shower. The minibar— stocked with nonalcoholic drinks and snacks—is complimentary. Though the resort dates back to 1989, renovations have kept everything feeling fresh and modern.

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Each pavilion’s outdoor space opens to a private courtyard and tropical garden, enclosed by paras stone walls for full privacy. There’s a marble bathtub in the garden—just request it about 40 minutes ahead and staff will clean it and fill it to the ideal temperature. A quiet soak while birdsong fills the air is pure bliss.

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Amandari sprinkles thoughtful touches throughout your stay. A rattan day bag stamped with the resort’s logo sits in the wardrobe for you to use and take home. Turn-down service leaves small handcrafted souvenirs—wood carvings, rooster ornaments, and traditional masks—that celebrate Balinese culture. The resort even provides a cloth map of Ubud highlighting hidden gems and artists’ studios, which feels more like a curated guide than a tourist map. If you mention an anniversary in advance, they’ll decorate the bed with flowers and set a celebration cake—little details that make a stay feel personal.

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The resort library is a cozy haven with classic volumes—some over a century old—plus contemporary reads and board games, perfect for slow afternoons. An outdoor bale off the library offers breezy views where you can sip tea or a refreshing drink and unwind.

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Complimentary afternoon tea is served daily from around 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the outdoor pool-front area where you checked in. With sweeping views of the Ayung River valley, it’s the ideal spot to slow down. Expect snacks and pastries made with local organic produce and tropical fruits, plus hot tea, coffee, or chilled beverages. Don’t miss Bali’s unique passion fruit and mangosteen—delicious and a little exotic compared to what you’ll usually find at home.

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Among the wellness options, Amandari’s treatment spa is paid, but the sauna is complimentary with a reservation. You get full privacy, with both dry and wet facilities and individual showers. Sessions vary by daily bookings but are typically about 30 minutes.

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Next to the sauna is a well-equipped fitness center with a variety of machines and light snacks and drinks to keep you going. During daytime workouts you can look out over a lotus-filled pond—so pretty, it almost feels like a spa cool-down built into your routine.

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Amandari’s The Restaurant seats about 50 guests and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It opens onto pool views and, on clear nights, a sky scattered with stars.

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The menu blends Indonesian and Western dishes, using produce from local organic farms and seafood sourced daily. If you reserve, staff will place a leaf with your name at the table. While seating is generally plentiful, book ahead if you want a pool-view table.

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For dinner I ordered crab on toast, grilled tiger prawns, wagyu sirloin, and mashed potatoes. The kitchen turned dishes out quickly. The crab on toast was a light, crunchy starter—crispy bread topped with fresh crab. Both the prawns and the wagyu arrived in generous portions with rich, balanced flavors rather than overwhelming spice. Prices were roughly: starters around 300,000 rupiah (about 25,000 KRW), prawns about 635,000 rupiah (about 54,000 KRW), and steak about 1,250,000 rupiah (about 106,000 KRW).​

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If you have an early departure and can’t make breakfast, you can order a takeaway breakfast in advance via chat and it will be packed at checkout. Return transfers include airport drop-off and staff will escort you to your airline’s check-in counter—one less thing to worry about before your flight.

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My time at Amandari felt like a stay in a warm Balinese village—friendly, intimate, and deeply restorative. Against a backdrop of stunning nature, the service, thoughtfully appointed rooms, and genuine hospitality left a lasting impression. Rather than flashy luxury, Amandari offers a special kind of calm: a place where high-quality dining and wellness are paired with a sincere welcome. It’s a resort that lingers in your memory as true rest and refinement.

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Bali, Indonesia — Kang Ye-shin, Travel+ reporter

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