Uma Kalai is a resort that is very aware of the fact that it’s in Ubud, which is often considered to be the cultural capital of the island.
The mountain town was popularised in both the book and movie, “Eat Pray Love”, and it’s become a firm favourite with crowds on the Bali tourist trail.
So, our team were interested to see how Uma Kalai could deliver a sanctuary from the throngs of people and help them better connect with the island’s unique culture. This is what they learned during their stay at Uma Kalai in Ubud.
Our In-Depth Assessment Of Uma Kalai
All of our hotel reviews are conducted in the same fashion. We use the same ranking criteria throughout. This ensures you can easily compare two or more places and that we treat the hotels, their staff, management and owners with respect and fairness.
Hotel Type: Boutique
Area of Bali: Ubud
Star Rating: 5-star
Typical Minimum Price per Night: 8,400,000 IDR (roughly $500 USD to $840 AUD) per night, with the understanding that room rates change frequently based on availability and room type
Uma Kalai Address: Sayan, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80571
Uma Kalai Website: Uma Kalai
Room Types: Tejas (Fire) Villa, Vata (Wind) Villa, Bhumi (Earth) Villa, Jala (Water) Room, Vyoman (Sky) Room, Akasa (Aether) Room
Facilities: Santi Spa, Wellness, Gym, Experiences (Cultural (Temple tours and cooking classes), Spiritual (Balinese healing and purification rituals), Natural (meet elephants, monkeys and go trekking), Adventure (ATV rides, white water rafting, volcano hikes) and Romance (Moonlight movies, chocolate making classes, floral arrangements, romantic sunset and stars dinner)), Amma Restaurant (and Mini Bar), and Private Concierge.
This is one of our top 20 hotels in Ubud.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
At this end of the luxury market, we expect everything to be perfect, and it really is at Uma Kalai. Everything is clean (even the places that mid-range hotels miss, no matter how clean they look), and it’s also obvious that the maintenance team is very proactive, keeping issues to the bare minimum.
Sleep Quality
The bedrooms here are huge, and the beds themselves are big, comfortable, and so luxurious that you’re bound to get a great night’s sleep.
The rooms also appear to be soundproof, not that there’s much noise in this part of the countryside to keep out.
Staff Attitude And Service Culture
Luxury resorts live or die on the basis of amazing service, and the service at Uma Kalai will not disappoint. Everyone works to ensure that you have a phenomenal experience, and they have clearly been empowered to deliver next-level service all the time.
Check-in/Check-out Experience
The check-in experience is good enough, and this resort isn’t big enough to leave you queuing to check in, but we’d like to see electronic check-in services at posh resorts in Bali, now. While the folk at the front desk are charming, we don’t see a need to stop on the way to the rooms.
Bathroom Quality & Functionality
The bathroom facilities are out of this world, and there’s loads of space, and everything feels premium. The toiletries are genuinely useful, and the towels are among the fluffiest we’ve ever come across. We’d come back just to use the bathrooms if we could.
Value For Money
Bali is very much covered in high-end hotel properties nowadays, and we think it’s hard to be exceptional in the “value for money” stakes on the island, right now. But you certainly won’t feel ripped off at Uma Kalai.
Food And Beverage Execution
The food and drinks are world-class at this resort, and from breakfast onwards, every bite and slurp will be one of genuine pleasure. You will wish you could eat here again for weeks after you leave the resort.
Location & Immediate Surroundings
The area is very safe, and the views are lovely, but you’re a little removed from the centre of Ubud, which means you’re going to need some transportation to go sightseeing, and it’s not super convenient at the end of a day out, either.
Facilities & Amenities Vs Promise
The emphasis on excursions rather than concrete facilities is good, and we felt that they deliver on their promise in the main. However, at this price bracket we do feel there could be more amenities, like a games room, a library, etc.
Overall “Personality”
Uma Kalai, like most non-chain luxury properties in Bali, has a very distinct visual identity and overall vibe. We think most people will love it, and the photos you put up on Instagram are going to leave your friends feeling envious.
We can’t imagine not remembering a stay at Uma Kalai in the years to come; it’s definitely got that special something.
Summary: Our Overview Of Uma Kalai
Uma Kalai is a proper home away from home, and there’s no doubt that this place delivers on the luxury and cultural vibe that it promises.
We would be happy to recommend it to almost every kind of traveller with this budget, though we’d remind them that Bali has a lot of luxurious properties to choose from and to focus on what they really want before booking.
Overall, we’d expect people who stay at Uma Kalai to leave with an impression that’s as positive as our own regarding this resort.
Grading: Excellent/Highly Recommended
Other great places to holiday in Ubud include Tanah Gajah and Capella Ubud.
FAQs
Is Uma Kalai Family Friendly?
Yes, Uma Kali is very happy to welcome families to its property, and children may very well appreciate some of the on-site facilities.
However, it’s missing premium family services like a kids club and a kids pool, and if you have little ones, there may be better options in Ubud than Uma Kalai.
Final Thoughts On Uma Kalai
Uma Kalai is an attractive luxury hotel on the outskirts of Ubud with a focus on Balinese culture. It’s a very pleasant place, far from the hustle and bustle of the tourist town’s streets and attractions.
It is family-friendly, though we don’t think it would be our first choice, particularly if we had young children with us. But if you want a genuine break from the hectic nature of Bali’s beach towns and tourist attractions, this is a great place for it.
We’d be happy to recommend Uma Kalai to anyone; it’s a very special resort, where you’re going to make great memories.
