Uncover Paradise: Sthala, Ubud's Hidden Luxury Escape
Uncover Paradise: Sthala, Ubud – My Unfiltered Take on a Hidden Gem (and Maybe, Just Maybe, a Little Bit of Paradise)
Okay, so Ubud. Land of yoga pants, raw food, and enough Instagram-worthy backdrops to make a millennial weep. And then there's Sthala, Ubud – A Hidden Luxury Escape. The tagline alone screams 'pretentious', right? I went in skeptical, fully prepared to roll my eyes at the 'spiritual enlightenment' vibes. But, wow. Just, wow.
Getting There & Staying Put (Because Honestly, You Won’t Want to Leave)
Accessibility: Okay, the first thing to know is that Ubud itself isn't exactly known for its wheelchair-friendly streets. But Sthala seems to be making an effort. While I didn't personally need extensive accessibility, the hotel does list Facilities for disabled guests which is a great start. Getting to the hotel (and around the area) is a bit of a trek with windy roads, so make sure to organize an Airport transfer because honestly, after a long flight, navigating Balinese traffic is the last thing you want. The Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site] mean you don't have to deal with parking stress, either which is a huge bonus.
Inside the Fortress of Bliss (Rooms & Amenities)
The rooms? Let's just say I was initially distracted by the Additional toilet because… well, let's just say the thought of bathroom-queueing in a luxury hotel is a major vibe-killer. Thank you, Sthala, for thinking of everything! They also feature Air conditioning, which is absolutely essential in the Ubud heat, Blackout curtains for sleeping in (bliss!), and a Coffee/tea maker for your morning caffeine (or, you know, a sneaky afternoon cuppa).
And the Internet situation? Top marks! They have Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (and it actually works) because the worst is a luxury hotel with lousy Wi-Fi. They have Internet [LAN] and Internet services too, if you need something more stable.
The Pool with a View - My Personal Paradise
Now, here's where Sthala really got me. That Pool with view. Seriously. Forget your troubles, your deadlines, your exes. Just float. It overlooks the lush green valley, with the Ayung River snaking below. It's the kind of view you see in travel magazines and think, "Yeah, right." But it's real. I spent a whole afternoon there, just…existing. The Swimming pool [outdoor] is massive, the water perfectly cool, and the sun… oh, that sun. Honestly, it was the most relaxed I've felt in years. Okay, maybe I overdid the sun, but you know, it's all about embracing the moment.
Spa Day: Almost Sent Me into a Sleep Coma
The Spa is another highlight. I opted for the "Balinese Bliss" package which I thought was a bit cheesy at first. Then the masseuse arrived and I had the most amazing Massage. The Body scrub was excellent, and the Body wrap left me feeling like a newborn baby covered in expensive unguents and oils. I don't even know what the Foot bath was, but it was nice. Okay, I may or may not have dozed off, mid-massage. Don't judge! That's how good it was. They also have a Gym/fitness, Sauna, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom if you’re feeling energetic, but to be honest, I was mostly interested in napping.
Food Glorious Food (and a Few Hiccups!)
The dining situation is fairly extensive. There's Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, a Vegetarian restaurant, and the obligatory Western cuisine in restaurant offering, plus Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, and Soup in restaurant so you are well-fed. Breakfast [buffet] is a feast - pastries galore, fresh fruit, the works. It's the perfect way to kickstart your day. I particularly liked the Asian breakfast.
Pro tip: Embrace the Happy hour at the Poolside bar. Cocktails and that view? Perfection.
Safety First (and Second, and Third!)
Okay, let's be real, safety is a big deal these days. Sthala seems to have it covered. They boast: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Sterilizing equipment. They also have CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, and Soundproof rooms. They're taking everything seriously. Which I appreciate more than ever now.
The Extras (and a few things that could improve)
- Things to Do: Ubud is all at your fingertips, so while the hotel has a few things, (they do offer Bicycle parking) it's all about getting out and exploring.
- For The Kids: They've got Babysitting service, Family/child friendly and Kids facilities which I didn't need, but a good thing to know.
- Other Services: They have Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, and Safe deposit boxes. Which, again, great news.
The "Almosts" and "Needs Improvement"
- Room Service: While they offer Room service [24-hour], the menu could be a bit more exciting. Especially for late-night cravings.
- Restaurant Pace: Sometimes the service in the main restaurant felt a little slow. Nothing too major, but patience is sometimes tested when you're hungry.
The Verdict: Should You Book? YES! (But Read This First!)
Look, Sthala isn't perfect. No place is. But its strengths – the breathtaking pool, the luxurious spa, the amazing rooms and its commitment to safety in the current climate – far outweigh any minor downsides.
My Honest Recommendation: Book it. Seriously. Especially if you need a dose of tranquility and want to feel pampered without the stuffiness. Just be prepared to not want to leave.
So, here's the deal:
Uncover Paradise: Sthala, Ubud's Hidden Luxury Escape – Book Your Bali Bliss Now!
Are you craving:
- Breathtaking views that will melt your stress away?
- Luxurious spa treatments that will leave you feeling like a brand new you?
- Immaculately clean and safe accommodations where you can truly relax?
- Delicious food and refreshing cocktails to tantalize your taste buds?
Then, you need to book your stay at Sthala, Ubud – before everyone else discovers this hidden slice of paradise!
Here's why you shouldn't wait:
- Limited Availability: This is a hot spot that fills up fast.
- Unbeatable Value: Experience luxury without breaking the bank.
- Guaranteed Relaxation: Leave your worries behind and embrace pure bliss.
Book now and unlock special offers before they disappear! Visit [Insert your booking link here] and use code "PARADISE" for a complimentary welcome drink at the Poolside Bar. Don't miss out! Your escape to paradise awaits!
Gram Hotel South Korea: Unbelievable Luxury Awaits You!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is the Sthala, Tribute Portfolio Hotel, UBUD, Bali itinerary… with a healthy dose of my chaotic, caffeine-fueled soul splashed all over it. Prepare for glorious mess, questionable decisions, and the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (mostly).
Day 1: Arrival & "Oh My God, This is Gorgeous!"
- 10:00 AM (ish) - Arrival at Denpasar Airport (DPS): Okay, let's be honest, the flight was… fine. But that airport? A swirling vortex of humanity, baggage carts, and what I think was Balinese incense. My luggage, bless its cotton socks, actually made it. A small victory. I'm pretty sure I saw one guy in full Superman spandex wrestling a particularly stubborn suitcase. Bali, you are already weird, and I adore it.
- 11:30 AM - Private Transfer to Sthala: The private transfer to the Sthala was basically me drooling out the window. Seriously, the rice paddies? Lush, green, and Instagram-unfriendly-beautiful. I wanted to stop every five seconds and just… breathe it in. The driver, a sweet Balinese guy named Putu, kept smiling at my ridiculous gushing, which, honestly, fueled the fire. He even gave me a little sarong to cover my legs when visiting temples later, which was a lifesaver.
- 1:00 PM - Check-in & Room Revelation: Okay, the Sthala. The room. Dear lord. River view. Balcony. King-sized bed that swallowed me whole. I think I made a series of involuntary noises that were somewhere between a purr and a small, happy squeak. My inner child, who had been buried under layers of adulting for far too long, was dancing a jig. This is what heaven must feel like.
- 2:00 PM - Lunch at Sungai Restaurant: This is where the wheels started to wobble slightly. The menu looked amazing. The ambiance was divine. I ordered Nasi Goreng, because… Bali. It was… perfectly fine. Not mind-blowing. I secretly envied the people ordering the pizza. (Don't tell anyone.) The fresh fruit juice, however? Nectar of the gods. I drank three. Then, I maybe ate a stray ant off the plate. Don't judge me.
- 3:00 PM - Floating Pool Time & Existential Dread: The pool. Oh, the pool. Overlooking the river, infinity edging, pure bliss. I spent a good hour floating, pretending to contemplate the meaning of life. Really, I was mostly trying not to drown in the shallow end, and trying to take some aesthetically pleasing photos. The sun was perfect. Blissful. I'm starting to feel the sunburn coming now.
- 6:00 PM - Sundowner Drinks at the Bar (Solo): Cocktails! Happy Hour! I needed a stiff drink after attempting to edit my photos in the awful light of the room (the room with the beautiful river view). The bartender, Ketut, made a mean Mojito. I chatted with a couple from Australia and was pleasantly surprised to realise I wasn't actually that bad. I ended up staying longer than planned.
- 7:30 PM - Dinner at Sungai (Round Two): I was supposed to go find something more local tonight. Tired, hungry. I couldn't bring myself to wander around looking for food. Another Nasi Goreng for me then. Definitely not amazing.
Day 2: Temples, Monkeys & Meltdown
- 7:00 AM - Yoga Class - HA!: I signed up for a yoga class. Let me be very clear: I am not a yogi. I'm more of a "sit-on-your-ass-and-drink-coffee" kind of person. The class was lovely, I guess. The instructor was serene. I sweated. I wobbled. I almost face-planted during downward dog. Let's just say, the only thing I was finding was my lack of flexibility. A man laughed at me during Savasana.
- 8:30 AM - Glorious Breakfast Buffet: The buffet, however, was a triumph. Fresh fruit galore, omelet station (which I mastered), and the best coffee I've had in months. I refueled like a champ.
- 9:30 AM - Tanah Lot Temple (Trip): Putu again for a temple trip! The temple itself was breathtaking, perched on a rock in the ocean. The crowds, however, were a logistical nightmare. I got jostled, I got sweaty, and I almost lost my brand-new hat. I learned to bargain for souvenirs and ended up with a weird shell necklace from a guy who kept trying to sell me a "massage for good luck." No thanks, mate.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at a Local Warung: Wandered off the beaten path. Putu recommended this tiny little place. The food?! Amazing! The best Gado-Gado I've ever tasted. Felt like I was finally getting somewhere.
- 2:00 PM - Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Okay, the monkeys. The. Monkeys. They were cute. And brazen. And they stole anything that wasn't nailed down. I had a bag of bananas. They knew. I was cornered. I yelled (a little). I dropped a banana. The monkeys won. I escaped with my pride (mostly) intact.
- 4:00 PM - Relaxation: Pool again after the monkey fight.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner: Room Service & Self-Pity: I was exhausted from the monkey encounters, temples, and a complete lack of social skills. Room service, here I come! (Pizza, of course).
- 7:00 PM - Journaling & Emotional Floodgates: Okay, full disclosure: I cried. A lot. Travel is hard, y'all. The expectations, the anxieties, the constant need to be "on"… it all got to me. I sat on the balcony, overlooking the river, and just let it all out. And then, I felt a bit better.
- 9:00 PM - Sleep: Finally.
Day 3: Cooking Class & Waterfall Wonders
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast: The buffet. My happy place. Two omelets this time.
- 9:00 AM - Cooking Class: Okay, the cooking class at the hotel was AMAZING. I learned to make spring rolls, chicken satay, and a killer curry. I actually felt like I accomplished something. I even impressed myself. I would stay here forever.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch (The Fruits of My Labor): We ate everything we made. It was delicious!
- 2:00 PM - Tegunungan Waterfall: This waterfall was a perfect dream. I swam. I felt so free.
- 4:00 PM - Massage: After all that water, i deserve a massage.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner at Local Resto: Wandered and found another great place.
- **9:00 PM - Sleep from pure exhaustion.
Day 4: Relaxation & Departure
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast: The buffet. My happy place. Two omelets this time.
- 10:00 AM - Pool Time & Final Reflections: Spent the morning by the pool, slowly packing, and trying to savor the last few hours of this paradise. The river, the sun, the monkeys (okay, maybe not the monkeys)… Bali, you've got a hold on me.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at the Hotel Cafe: One last Nasi Goreng, because… routine. And I'm becoming quite attached to it.
- 2:00 PM - Check-out & Goodbye Hugs (with the Staff): Saying goodbye to this place was harder than I expected. The staff were so lovely, so genuine. They really made the experience.
- 3:00 PM - Private Transfer to the Airport (DPS): Back to the airport, the swirling vortex. But this time, I felt less overwhelmed. I had survived. I had thrived (mostly).
- 4:00 PM - Flight: Goodbye, Bali. Until next time. I'll be back. I'll need to come back, because I left my heart somewhere in the rice paddies.
Things I Didn't Mention (Because They Weren't Glamorous):
- The mosquito bites.
- The near-miss with a scooter (my fault, I was looking at a cat).
- The existential dread that sometimes crept in during quiet moments.
- The laundry I didn't do.
- The questionable fashion choices.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was a glorious, messy, wonderful, and sometimes overwhelming experience. It wasn't perfect. I wasn't perfect. But that's kind of the point, isn't it? Leave room for the imperfection. Embrace the chaos. And don't forget to try the pizza. And don't forget to have a good time!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Discover Hotel Nibelungen Hof, Germany!
1. So, what *is* Sthala, exactly? Is it even real? My Instagram feed has me questioning everything...
Real? Honey, Sthala is *painfully* real. It's this sprawling, ridiculously lush resort nestled in Ubud, Bali. Think jungle vibes meets luxury. I'm talking infinity pools that blur into the Ayung River, rooms with views that steal your breath, and enough frangipani blossoms to perfume a small country. Yes, it’s real. Yes, it's beautiful. And yes, it's expensive. (More on that later...)
2. Okay, the pictures are stunning. But what about the location? Is it truly 'hidden' or just marketing fluff?
"Hidden" is a bit of a stretch in the age of GPS. Sthala isn't *secret*, but it is definitely away from the main Ubud hustle. You're a short taxi ride from the town center, but blissfully removed from the constant scooter traffic and the throngs of tourists. I loved that! Waking up to bird song instead of the incessant honking? Pure gold. But okay, I will be honest, getting a Grab pick up was a little bit of a headache sometimes. I spent a good hour waving my phone around like a crazy person… Finally my driver came, and it was worth the wait.
3. Are the rooms as amazing as they look? Spill the tea! (Or the Bali coffee…)
Alright, the rooms. Oh. My. Goodness. I splurged (yes, I did, and I won't apologize!) on a suite with a river view. Picture this: floor-to-ceiling windows, a private balcony overlooking the Ayung, a bathtub big enough to… well, let's just say it was big enough. The décor is gorgeous, a blend of traditional Balinese design with modern touches. But… *but*… I had a tiny, *teeny* issue. One morning, a gecko decided to make the balcony its home. Harmless, I know, but I’m not a gecko person, and it freaked me out just a little bit. I sent a photo to the hotel staff, and they were so lovely about it! They gave me a little spray of the room with some lemongrass-scented solution, and the problem was solved. I mean it did creep me out a little bit, and I’m still not entirely sure where it went. They made it a little awkward, but honestly, it was such a small price to pay for that view. And the comfy bed? Heaven.
4. Let’s talk food! What’s the restaurant situation like? And is the breakfast buffet really as epic as they promise?
The restaurants are… fine. Seriously. They're good, the food's tasty, but let’s be real, it’s not Michelin-star material, and it’s certainly not cheap. The main restaurant has stunning views, and the Indonesian food is delicious, but the Western options are a little… predictable. But… the breakfast buffet! Oh, the breakfast buffet. It's as epic as they say. I mean, mountains of fresh fruit, pastries that practically melt in your mouth, made-to-order omelets, and even a section dedicated to Indonesian specialties. I practically *lived* on the dragon fruit and the little pancakes. I went back three times one day. That’s normal, right? Don't judge me! The coffee was strong, though. I made a bad decision by overindulging in that. I then struggled to relax by the pool.
5. Spa time! Spa treatments? Worth the splurge?
Yes. Absolutely. Yes. The spa is pure bliss. The setting alone - bamboo-lined walkways, the sound of the river, and the gentle scent of essential oils - is enough to make you melt into a puddle of relaxation. The treatments are divine. I got a Balinese massage, and I swear, I floated out of there. Worth every single Rupiah. Seriously. Go. Book the massage. Do it now. You will not regret it. But I will be honest, the therapist looked a little… weary. She had the most beautiful hands, but I swear she looked like she had just finished 10 massages. I'm hoping she got some good sleep that night!
6. Pool time! How's the pool scene? Overcrowded? Relaxing? Any tips?
The pools (plural!) are glorious. The main infinity pool is where you’ll probably spend most of your time, overlooking the river. It's gorgeous, and the water is just the perfect temperature. It actually *is* just as stunning as the photos. Yes, the photos don't lie! There's also a smaller, quieter pool near the spa. If you want ultimate peace, this is your spot. I spent a whole afternoon there, reading a book, sipping cocktails, and generally feeling like I had won the lottery. The only downside? Finding a sun lounger can be competitive, especially during peak hours. Get there early, or be prepared to stake your claim with a towel, a book, and a healthy dose of passive aggression. I did have to ask someone to move their stuff once…
7. Aside from lounging and eating, what else is there to *do* at Sthala?
Okay, so, beyond the obvious (pool, spa), Sthala offers some activities. They have yoga classes (sunrise yoga on the deck overlooking the river? Yes, please!), cooking classes (fun, but the chef did it a little… fast), and bike rentals. They also arrange excursions to nearby temples and rice paddies. I highly recommend the bike rental. Seriously, the hotel is pretty beautiful, of course, but one day, I got on a bike and went off to explore. It was so special. I got a flat tyre, and a bunch of locals helped me out. I felt like I really *experienced* Bali that day!
8. The elephant in the room: the price. Is it worth the cost?
Alright, let’s talk money. Sthala is not cheap. It’s an investment. A fairly hefty one. Is it *worth* it? That depends on your priorities. If you're looking for a cheap getaway, this ain’t it, honey. If you're looking for an escape, a place to truly unwind and treat yourself, then it’s worth considering. The service is impeccable, the setting is breathtaking, and the experience is truly memorable. BUT… and this is a big BUT… I had to make some serious budget cuts before and after. Did I regret it? Not really. Would I go again? Absolutely. But maybe I'll eat instant noodles for a month beforehand.
