There is only one hotel in Bali with three Michelin Keys in the new Michelin Hotel Guide. In fact, there are only about 50 hotels on the planet with this rating, so Bali is punching above its weight.
That hotel is Mandapa: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Ubud, which is in central Bali, away from the ocean and in the rice fields and jungles of the island.
But is it really as good as the critics of the Guide suggest? Or is Mandapa overhyped? Our team went to find out, and this is what they discovered.
Our In-Depth Assessment Of Mandapa: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Every inspection uses the exact same judging standards and systematic approach. This uniform practice ensures fairness and helps you evaluate properties side by side.
Hotel Type: Luxury
Area of Bali: Ubud
Star Rating: 5-Star
Typical Minimum Price per Night: 24,200,000 IDR (approx. $1,450 USD or $2,400 AUD) per night, with the proviso that rates vary by room type and season
Mandapa: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve Address: Jl. Raya Kedewatan, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Mandapa: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve Website: Ritz Carlton
Room Types: Reserve Suite, Mandapa Suite, Ubud Pool Villa, Riverfront Pool Villa, Reserve Pool Villa and The Mandapa River Estate
Facilities: Butler Service, Kubu at Mandapa, Ambar Ubud Bar, Sawah Terrace, Dining Beyond, The Pool Bar, The Library, In-Villa Dining, Ubud’s Riverview Sunday Brunch, Cooking Studio, Mandapa Spa, Fitness Centre, Swimming Pool, Wellness Programs, Blessing Rituals, Traditional Balinese Healing, Alternative Healing, Yoga Asana, Meditation, Vitality Pool & Heat Experiences, Meeting Rooms, Kids’ Club, Mini Explorers Club
Mandapa is an amazing resort and among other plaudits we rank it in our top picks for family-friendly fun in Bali.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
Given the scale of this resort and the outdoor nature of things, you have to forgive a little leaf or insect at times. But otherwise? It’s spotless.
And the maintenance team ensure that everything looks perfect and works exactly the way it is supposed to all of the time.
Sleep Quality
You’re kind of out in the jungle at Mandapa, so there’s no real background noise to trouble your sleep, and there’s certainly no noise from your similarly refined fellow guests.
That leaves you in a huge, well-aired room with a beautiful bed that any king or queen would be happy to lie their head down upon. A sublime sleeping experience.
Staff Attitude And Service Culture
A resort like Mandapa lives or dies on the service that it provides. It’s not enough to look and feel beautiful; every interaction has to be problem-free.
Fortunately, the Ritz-Carlton is one of the most empowering employers in the world, and everyone here has the power to ensure you have an incredible experience, and they’re not afraid to use it.
Check-in/Check-out Experience
The check-in and check-out processes are flawless; nobody comes to Mandapa to stand around at a front desk, and you are immediately whisked away into your new home on arrival.
Bathroom Quality & Functionality
The bathrooms are without equal in the hotels we’ve reviewed in Bali, so far; they’re just so decadent.
Everything from the toiletries to the towels is here to make you feel special and pampered, and by golly, it works.
Value For Money
Yes, the rooms here are hugely expensive, but the thing is, they’re worth every single penny; in fact, we’d go as far as to say that Mandapa is excellent value for money.
This is the sort of experience that is worth paying for; you probably won’t ever do this twice, but you’ll be very glad you did it once.
Food And Beverage Execution
The restaurants are among the finest on the island, with a real emphasis on fresh, locally grown, organic, healthy produce and elevated culinary skills that take everything to the next level.
Even having a drink in the bar here is like getting a taste of the intrinsic nature of Bali. You just can’t go wrong.
Location & Immediate Surroundings
The location here is absolutely beautiful and safe, and if you want to explore the local area, it’s great. But, there’s not much there, and you will need transportation to get anywhere else.
Also, thanks to Ubud’s recent popularity, traffic can be a major issue getting into and out of the central Balinese town.
Facilities & Amenities Vs Promise
They have a huge range of amenities at this resort, and better still, they are all world-class. There’s nothing here that detracts from your time at Mandapa; it all adds value and makes you feel valued in return.
Overall “Personality”
There’s nowhere on Earth quite like Mandapa, and if you stay here, it will be the place you talk about for the rest of your life when you talk about memorable holidays.
They really have managed to encapsulate the very best of Bali in a resort. We’d love to go back.
Summary: Our Overview Of Mandapa: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Mandapa is the reigning champion of Bali’s hotels, and we’re not taking its crown away. It truly deserves its three Michelin stars; hotel experiences don’t come better than this.
Yes, we might wish it were cheaper, but if it were, we suspect it wouldn’t be anywhere near this good. Here, you get what you pay for, and if you can afford it, we recommend that you see for yourself.
Grading: World-class
We would say that this is probably the best hotel in Bali and certainly the best in Ubud. Other options in this area include Bambu Indah and Alaya Resort.
FAQs
Is Mandapa: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve Family Friendly?
Yes, Mandapa is an excellent hotel for families. They have an eco-friendly children’s club where kids can play with their peers and learn new skills.
In addition, they also offer a Mini Explorers Program to help kids get out into the real Bali and enjoy the things that the island has to offer.
You will also find that the accommodation is world-class and perfect for families staying together. There are kids’ menus available and plenty of facilities for children to enjoy.
Other great family-friendly resorts here include Capella Ubud and The St. Regis Bali.
Final Thoughts On Mandapa: A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
There is no doubt that Mandapa is the sort of hotel that is in a league of its own. Staying here is a genuine privilege, and it’s something that you simply cannot replicate anywhere else on Earth.
We would be happy to recommend this hotel to anyone who can afford the fairly substantial room rates, which still manage to represent excellent value for money.
This is the sort of resort where you never need to leave the grounds and you can still have the best holiday of your life.
