Checking In: Puri Gangga Resort, Ubud Bali

My very first stay in Bali was at Puri Gangaa Resort. I traveled over 42 hours by land and plane to get to this resort and arrived very late at night. I did not know what to expect when I woke up ..
When I rolled out of bed you could hear me yell “UnBALIevable!!” as I looked over my balcony and into the Bali jungle. There was a low fog early in the morning and no one was out wandering around. I had Bali to myself and that was my first impression with this love affair I have with Indonesia.

The Hotel:
Puri Gangga is a boutique luxury hotel about 25 minutes from the city center of Ubud.  Only offering 20 rooms to its guests over 4 categories but sprawled out among the property. When you arrive, you check in outdoors, and then walk through the property to get to your room. You will notice throughout there is greenery, the daily offering, and local details special to the Balinese culture.

For me, the details really stood out at this hotel.

 
To me, I felt like every detail was with purpose: every statue, stone, flower, door, and the landscape – it was all planned to welcome guests into the Balinese culture.
The Room:
During my stay I checked into a Suite Room, which overlooks a rice terrace and the pool. I loved my room because it had the most perfect view I could ask for!
I had a king size bed, a large en-suite bathroom that had both a shower and a sunken bath (that overlooked the rice terrace), a TV, a wardrobe, spacious balcony, wifi, bath amenities, coffee, tea, and more!

 
Hotel Activities:
I love that the hotel is small in number of rooms but big on land and activities. Since there are only 20 rooms, the pool was never crowded, I could always get a spa appointment, and all the extra activities the hotel offers weren’t over crowded.

The spa on property is amazing! I think I went 2-3 times during the duration of my stay for massages and I got what I call a “Princess Bath.” There is a tub in the massage room and after your massage they fill it up for you and but flowers in there and give you hot tea to enjoy. Its an open air room so you feel like you are in the jungle. One of the best baths I have ever had. I highly recommend treating yourself to this experience as it is one for the books.
My favorite activity on property was learning how to make the daily offering with coconut leafs. I was the only person who came and it gave me one on one time with the lovely woman who was showing me how to make them. We ended up making several of them and she was so kind.

Some of the free activities on site include:

• Yoga
• Afternoon Tea
• Morning walk
• Bike
• Dance lesson
• Making Bokor
• Rindik

Dining:
The restaurant on property, Kailasha, offered an expansive menu. I could choose to dine in my room or head over to dine in, which is outdoors, overlooking the jungle. I did a combination of both dining in and in-room dining.

 
I think my favorite was all the fresh local fruits and juices. I am a big fan of fruits! I love them when they are just perfect.
Overall Experience:
When I arrived in Bali I was so sick. I cannot stress enough how well Puri Gangga took care of me. They only thing that made my throat feel good was hot tea and they always brought me more. I couldn’t sleep and requested movies and they brought me some to watch in my room. The staff is unbelievably hospitable.
I loved the hotel and exploring the grounds – the property is so gorgeous and was a great first stay in Bali. Its very private and a great place to relax.
Additional Info:

• Address: Sebatu – Ubud – Bali Desa Sebatu Gianyar, Bali – Indonesia 
• Phone: +62 361 902222
• Distance from Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar): About 1.5 hours without traffic.
• Distance from Ubud City Center: About 30-40 Minutes without traffic
• Currency: Indonesian Rupiah
• Voltage: 230 V. Frequency: 50 Hz. Power sockets: type C / F