My wife and I stayed for two nights in villa 150. Having left our two toddlers in the able care of their grandparents back in Melbourne, we were looking for a short burst of r & r. If anyone reading this review is looking to experience stunning scenery, opulent accommodation and generous service, which I'm sure would account for most people, then I can't recommend The Royal Pita Maha highly enough.

Perched above reception, our villa was one of the very loftiest on offer. It was a short walk down to the lobby and restaurant, the view from which is magnificent. Having a delious Indonesian breakfast (try the wonderful babur ayam) whilst looking down to the Ayung river far below, it is difficult to describe my sense of relaxation and appreciation.

On day two, we walked to the valley floor and partook in a spot of yoga next to the river. This was a real highlight and to be strongly recommended to anyone with even a modicum of flexibility. Our instructor worked us reasonably hard, especially for an unfit, beer-swilling novice like me, however, any exertion was worth the immense feeling of complete calm lying down towards the end of the class, listening to the river's nearby rapids and even spotting a monkey scaling a tree on the opposite river bank. It was then a short trip to the second restaurant, which specialises in organic food, much of which is reportedly grown in the hotel grounds. The food here was a real highlight, as was the location next to the river and in amongst lush tropical gardens. We then had a swim in the wonderful healing pool which is also an absolute must if you're down that way.

We also enjoyed a sublime 90-minute massage in the hotel's spa. To get to the spa, you walk through some amazing gardens and by the time you reach your destination, the sense of privacy and calm is complete. I was feeling relaxed and overjoyed before the massage even began. They should also be congratulated for providing my wife with ridiculously comical paper knickers! Blokes fortunately get given a pair of proper boxer shorts. The massage itself was wonderful and, like many things at this hotel, set to a soundtrack of running water.

The villa itself was tremendous. We had asked for one high up to maximise the view and we were not disappointed. The outdoor area was dominated by a large infinity pool which looked down onto the roof-tops of a couple of villas below. The view across to the rainforest of the opposing canyon wall was really special and it was all too easy to while away several hours taking it all in. Inside, the three rooms were very large and beautifully decorated. The bed was huge and very comfortable, and also enjoyed the same view as that of the pool. The bathroom was large and stately, with a huge stone bathtub set into the floor. The perfect place to enjoy a bottle of champagne!

Overall, The Royal Pita Maha was a wonderful experience and to be highly recommended. The hotel has so many different things to explore and the rooms themselves are excellent. The attention to detail also needs to be mentioned, with all of the gardens beautifully maintained and the staff extremely gracious and friendly in all our dealings with them. The hotel must have taken years to build as evidenced by all of the walls lined with thousands of small stones which line each walkway. We appreciated all of it and would like to sincerely thank everyone involved with the place.

I would urge any readers to ignore previously negative reviews that inexplicably focus on the number of steps needing to be walked. Perhaps we were somewhat fortunate being higher up the hill, but really, if you choose to stay on the side of a ravine then surely you can expect the occasional walk uphill. I can assure people that the steps are all very good and there is even an elevator which takes care of about 40 meters of vertical climb. The only possibly negative comment I would make relates to the hotel's own website. The pictures on this don't properly capture the true beauty of the place and I hope this doesn't put people off. It shouldn't.

We had a fabulous time and will now stay at The Royal Pita Maha whenever we return to Ubud. If you are thinking of spending some time in that part of the world then you should strongly consider this as your lodgings. It's the best place in town.

Ben and Jo

We might just put our cards on the table straight away. We travel a lot. We've stayed in a lot of hotels, and this is probably the best one so far.

We actually booked this hotel by accident, intending to stay at the more middle range hotel 'Pita Maha' - you can see where the confusion happened!

We actually visited the Pita Maha - it's very close to the main drag in Ubud and it's lovely. But this. This is something else.

As our cab driver navigated the kilometer long driveway entrance surrounded by tall manicured hedges, we began to suspect that this place was going to be, well a bit presidential, but that was before we arrived at the entrance to the hotel proper, the centrepiece of which is a statue of two hindu Goddesses, beautifully designed and rendered and (I'm not kidding) must be at least 40 feet high! And at it's base a tranquil fish pond. Impressed? Don't worry, they haven't even gotten started yet.

One fun thing to do after a day in the RPM, is to sit in the lobby and watch the faces of new guests as they enter the hotel. You step inside a palatial, stunningly designed lobby rendered in stone and marble, statues and paintings adorning walls, huge fish ponds running down the edges of the space. A hotel staff member will walk you through all this through into the top floor of the restaurant, and it's only then that you realise from the view that this hotel is entirely built into the cliff face of a mountain and it's aspect overlooks an entire valley from a huge vantage point. I can honestly say, it was the most jaw dropping view I have ever seen from a hotel, and you'll be able to take it in every time you eat at the hotel. Impressed? Well, there's more.

The valley down from the mountainside isn't just there for the view. The hotel owns it. All the way down to the bottom. And as you make your way down using gorgeous sturdy stone steps and a few elevators, you'll run into the hotel pool, a sacred pool (swimmable) for Hindu dieties, an organic restaurant (down the bottom with a totally unique menu), an outdoor, roofed Yoga complex and perhaps most remarkable, a lagoon pool, entirely swimmable which winds through the base of the valley, navigated a field of Lotus flowers. Impressed? Hang on. We're not done.

Once you get to your villa, (and we strongly recommend that you try and secure one on the higher ground), you'll find you have a gated entraceway, leading to a small but gorgeous garden surrounding your front door. Open that, and you are in the main room of the villa, the centrepiece of which is a California King bed, satin drapes, tastefully run from above it into the corners. The room is huge, but it's not the only room. There's a spacious bathroom with two sinks, a spa bath (which we didn't even get around to using), an open shower and bathroom. There's also a room off to the other side of the main bedroom which is a dining/Tv room where you can take meals and enjoy watching world news or anything else that takes your fancy.

The bedroom also has a little office desk on each side and a day bed for reclining. I'm saving the best till last. lying on your bed, looking out of the huge glass windows that offer a magnificent view of the mountains and large valleys, right in front of me is your own private swimming pool and backyard area complete with garden. Yes, I did just say your own private pool in case you missed it. And it's not small, it's family size. You could swim some modest laps in it. It's surrounded by a wonderful Balinese gardens, fastidiously kept and is styled into an infinity pool, so you can recline on the edge and take in the view.

Add to that lightning fast room service, magnificent service all around and decent food. This place actually made us consider marriage to accommodate the venue...

Ubud itself, which we found to be our favourite place in Bali, had it's ups and downs, but, and I thought I'd never say this about any country... why would you leave the hotel? It's really incredible.

Obviously it's not cheap, but in Australia, this sort of money would buy you a fifth of what this hotel offers.

If we ever stay anywhere more impressive than this, I'll be back reviewing it in a heat beat.

Highly Recommended.

Yes it does match everything you see on the website but it is a little remote up there. If you want a romantic place to get away and have some " you time" this is the place.

Also good if you like trekking, white water rafting or walking - its a lovely spot for this. After a few days you start to wonder " what now". I agree with another reviewer that this place lacks a bar or central hub to meet other people. The reception area may be stunning but its a reception area ! Put a bar in !

There is a regular and free shuttle service to Ubud run by the Hotel but taxis are also cheap enough to get to and from there.

Ubud is looking a littel tatty and tired now with just too many tourists around. The central market used to be quite fun to walk around - 2 years ago, now it seems devoid of toursist and all a bit seedy and dirty. Every stall holder hassles you as do the taxi drivers.

I would head down to Seminyak beach area - lots of hotels of a similar or higher standard but more importantly if you get bored you have a huge choice of restaurants and bars within walking distance.

Nothing wrong with this hotel at all - a great place to chill with your partner for a few days with an excellent restaurant on site

First impression as you decend the driveway and admire the statue at the front of the entrance is wow!

Unfortunately our arrival coincided with some heavy afternoon showers, so the reception area was reconfigured as staff mopped up.

We were shown to our room which was on the upper side of the resort (Pool Villa 151) - words cannot do the room and view justice, so please look at the pictures. The heavy showers had also caused a bit of water to come into the room, but this was quickly taken care of and we were left to enjoy the peace and tranquility. The bed is huge, comfortable and the mosquito netting adds a romantic touch.

It would be easy to spen a day just lazing about the villa. The private infinity edge pool is large and afforded an excellent view down the valley.

We were due to stay 4 nights at the hotel and on returning to the room on day 3 (in the middle of another heavy shower), we found the thatched roof leaking. I prefer to discuss problems directly at the time so asked the Duty Manager to come to the room. His response was indicative of the amazing service found throughout the hotel - he advised he would move us to another room as soon as possible - the Royal Villa.

We were fortunate enough to spend the remaining 2 nights in the Royal Villa which comes complete with a chapel and guest reception room along with the living quarters and infinity edge pool. The bonus of this Villa is its proximity to reception and the amazing views down the valley.

I accept not everyone will be lucky enough to stay in the Royal Villa, however it is something we will remember for a long time. Whichever Villa you book, you will not be disappointed.

We ate a few meals in the hotel including breakfast in the restaurant down by the river - please make sure you do this at least once as the grounds down there are stunning, including the healing pool.

There is a convenient shuttle service provided into Ubud centre and if you prefer local transport this can be organised for around 50,000rp each way.