Purist Villas: A Romantic Boutique Hotel in Ubud, Bali

Hidden in the jungles surrounding Ubud, the Purist Villas are the perfect place for a romantic getaway in the heart of Bali's most vibrant and culture-filled town

A Bali boutique resort should be small, personalized, nonconforming, comfortable and inspiring. It should have its own character and not be afraid to show it. It should be impossible to confuse it for any other hotel. It should be unique. The Purist Villas in Ubud is all these things and more. It draws on the atmosphere of this special town and adds to it, creating the perfect retreat for travelers looking to unwind a bit.

Ubud is the beautiful cultural capital of Bali, made famous by Eat, Pray, Love, and the perfect place to relax . Here you can soak up the vibrant atmosphere, get in touch with your spirituality, or just do nothing. It is a popular travelers spot, but it retains a strong sense of its own identity. This gives it the perfect balance between authenticity and familiar comfort.

As we were making our way to the hotel (they picked us up from our previous hotel) we got off the main road of Ubud and went off the beaten track a bit. We found ourselves on a road, right in the middle of a local village. Roosters in cages were on the side of the roads, tall palm leaf decorations framed the road, as men dressed in all white and women in bright ceremonial clothing. We could feel the culture and we hadn’t even entered the hotel...I love moments like this, when everything is authentic and through the imperfections, the beauty of a place is shown.

Moments later we had arrived at the Purist Villas. Meeting the concierge team under the shade of the outdoor lobby, we were given fresh juice, cold towels (always a welcome treat) and quickly taken to our villa where we continued checking in.

Walking the short path to our villa, it became abundantly clear that this is not like a standard hotel, in fact it is more like a village. Small pathways lead to various villas as everything was shaded by large palms and other tropical plants. The entire space is open air and each “room” is actually a free-standing villa. Each one of the villas are slightly different, but they are all united by the same design aesthetic of “tropical luxury.” Modern architecture mixed neatly with Balinese touches. The villas are scattered across the property giving each one plenty of privacy. All around is rampant jungle which makes the whole place feel extra special and secluded.

“Each one of the villas are slightly different, but they are all united by the same design aesthetic of “tropical luxury.” Modern architecture mixed neatly with Balinese touches.”

Our villa was simply stunning. As we walked through the entrance, our first sight of it was the large outdoor patio. Beyond this were the steps which went down to our private pool, and the whole thing was framed by jungle. The line between inside and outside was blurred, something possible thanks to the tropical heat and the ample privacy our villa possessed. Our room and bathroom were the only enclosed areas; everything else was out in the fresh air.

We loved the modern lighting, the clever use of stone on many of the walls, and the clean white tones used on the rest of the building. It all made the place feel up-to-date and luxurious. This was balanced out by the Indonesian elements, which made the space much more interesting and unique. The most obvious was the massive gong which hung above the bed, but the carved wooden artwork and furniture helped create a local flavor as well.

“We loved the modern lighting, the clever use of stone on many of the walls, and the clean white tones used on the rest of the building. It all made the place feel up-to-date and luxurious. This was balanced out by the Indonesian elements”

A short, peaceful walk from our villa took us to the hotel’s restaurant. It turned out to be one of the best restaurants we had been to in Bali… having it at our doorstep was pretty convenient! It was housed in a classic local-style building, with a palm-thatched roof sitting on wooden pillars and only one side being enclosed by a wall. The rest was gloriously open, and there was nothing separating the dining area from the pool beyond.

Most mornings we enjoyed breakfast there, although if we were feeling lazy we had it brought to our villa instead. Cappuccino, fresh juice, tropical fruit, avocado on toast and granola were the ingredients we chose to get us started for the day.

Everyday the restaurant’s chef heads down to the organic market in town to buy his food for the day. He picks only food produced in a sustainable way, and as local as possible. Aside from ensuring that you can eat with a clean conscience, this also means that the food is all fresh and delicious. The menu is created daily, and inspired by the surroundings. It’s an absolute must.

As well as local ingredients, the chef likes to use native recipes to give you a taste of Balinese cuisine. One of our favorite dishes was mie goreng – a spicy noodle dish – with fried tempeh and fresh vegetables. Another highlight was chicken satay. This is perhaps the most famous Balinese meal, and one you must try while you're there. It consists of tender chunks of chicken on bamboo skewers and drenched in a spicy peanut sauce. It’s a unique taste, but one which we found ourselves loving. If you are feeling less adventurous, the restaurant also has a great selection of Western dishes. These include fresh salads and sandwiches for when you want something light.

“Everyday the restaurant’s chef heads down to the organic market in town to buy his food for the day. He picks only food produced in a sustainable way, and as local as possible.”

The villas themselves contain many of the amenities you will need during your stay. They all have plenty of outdoor space, and most have private pools. There is however, another swimming pool by the restaurant if you feel like being around people. There is also a spa which offers a range of massages and hot stone treatments based on ayurvedic principles. They also run yoga classes taught by teachers who have trained all over the world. They teach many different types of yoga, and with its peaceful atmosphere, the hotel certainly feels like the perfect place for it.

There is so much to see and do in Bali, and in this part of the island specifically. Truthfully though, we stayed in our villa most of the time. It was the perfect place for a romantic getaway, and as we had it all to ourselves...why would we leave? If you do want to get out, Ubud center is just a few minutes away. You can hire a private driver to take you into town, and to visit some of the major sites like the Monkey Forest, or the rice terraces.

The Purist Villas really is a perfect honeymoon spot for couples that want to be alone and relax. You just get so much space and privacy. The villas are filled with character and beautiful decorations, and the whole place is an oasis of tranquillity.