Chai Lai Orchid
Easily one of thee most stunning resorts I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. Padma Resort Ubud is a 5 star luxury hotel tucked in the forests of Ubud, Bali. After a 17 hour flight from Los Angeles to Bali, Indonesia, I landed at Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and made the two hour taxi ride up to the most perfect stay. An amazing introduction to Bali.
Upon entry, the grounds are breathtaking. The property sits on top of a hill with nothing but greenery below. You have to pass through security then continue the drive up to the main lobby which settled any nerves in regard to safety; clearly not the most accessible resort which is good lol. You’re literally surrounded by nature so walking any where that isn’t on the premise simply isn’t an option. As soon as I stepped onto the grounds of Padma, I instantly felt at peace with the warm welcome from the staff. I highly recommend taking a stroll around the premises as soon as you can just to SEE. I was stunned by the architectural design. Although quite modern, Padma never lost sight of the the authentic Balinese culture and made sure to incorporate it into its designs.
The rooms are beautiful, clean, and spacious with 9 different room/suite options. There are 3 different pools, one in which is a heated infinity pool with a sunken pool bar and phenomenal views. The spa service is chefs kiss!! I received some of my BEST massages here. I’m not really one to intentionally work out on vacation (one day) but I did notice the fitness center near the pool area that looked fully stocked.
I made the mistake of not spending enough time at Padma. With it being my first time in Bali, I wanted to explore the city of Ubud as much as possible and since the hotel offered a complimentary shuttle to and from Ubud, I was OUT, daily! Although I throughly enjoyed my time exploring, if I could re-do my trip, I’d dedicate at least two days of staying on the resort and indulging in all of the luxuries that it has to offer. It would have been so cool to try archery, do yoga in such a serene environment, golf for the first time, hike Mt. Batur at sunrise etc etc, all of which can be scheduled through the hotel in advance. I can literally go on and on about how amazing this place is. Every single detail was well thought out and it shows.
The Puhu Restaurant is located on the top floor of the hotel. The food is amazing but the real stand out star here is BREAKFAST. Wow! The ambiance alone is spectacular. Both American and Balinese food options, hot and cold plates, fruits, cereals, fresh juices, and above all else, the BEST overview of the resorts backyard. The Pool Cafe and Bar is another great restaurant that sits pool side. You can book the secluded floating breakfast experience and enjoy a private moment at the lower pool if you wanted to. For an extra fee, the resort offers a kid centered cooking class, mixology class, a three course dinner experience, BBQ on the poolside lawn and so much more which again, I failed to experience. UGH!!
Is the stay worth the price?? Absolutely! I’m not kidding when I say this was one of my favorite resort experiences. I’m really big on customer service, cleanliness, and good dining experiences. Padma hit big in all three areas. Not to mention, my room was gorgeous, spacious, and had 5 mirrors… FIVE! Pair all of this with the in-house activities and complimentary shuttle to Ubud, Padma will definitely have to see me again.
If you’re planning a trip to Bali and want to experience the magic of Padma Resort Ubud- for an extra fee, there is an airport shuttle that will transfer you and your things to the resort. While this isn’t necessary because a regular taxi outside of the airport can get you there, I do think it’s a good option as a measure of assurance and safety, especially for those traveling solo or with kids.
https://padmaresortubud.com/
