Tanah Gajah is a resort and villa complex just outside the popular tourist town of Ubud. It’s within walking distance of many attractions, and it’s the perfect place to stay if you want to see Tibumana, Kanto Lampo and Suwat waterfalls, in particular.
It has a pleasant rice field setting, which helps you to properly connect with traditional Bali, and it’s one of the places on the island where you can enjoy a hot air balloon ride over your hotel.
Given that there’s a lot of competition for high-end hotels in Ubud nowadays, our team was curious to see how Tanah Gajah would measure up, and this is what they learned during their stay.
Our In-Depth Assessment Of Tanah Gajah
We always use the same review process when assessing hotels for this site. That makes it easy to compare hotels when viewing the reviews, and it means we treat the owners and managers of properties equally, too.
Hotel Type: Boutique
Area of Bali: Ubud
Star Rating: 5-star
Typical Minimum Price per Night: 7,600,000 IDR (approx. $450 USD or $760 AUD) per night, with the understanding that prices vary by room and by availability
Tanah Gajah Address: Tengkulak Kaja, Jl. Raya Goa Gajah, Kemenuh, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80571
Tanah Gajah Website: Tanah Gajah
Room Types: One Bedroom Club Suite, One Bedroom Club Pool Villa, Premier One Bedroom Club Pool Villa, Two Bedroom Club Family Pool Villa, The Hadiprana Estate
Facilities: Spa & Wellness, Kurasu at Panen Padi Lounge Cafe, The Tempayan Restaurant, luxury tennis court, candlelight romantic meals, boat picnics, elephant gate dining, Balinese duck feasts, swimming pools (including flower art experiences), VW jungle tours, ATV tours, rice paddy dining, Kecak dancing, cooking classes, afternoon tea, floating breakfast, purification rituals and hot air balloon adventures above the hotel.
This fabulous resort features in our roundup of the best resorts in Ubud.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
There’s no doubt that the staff are on the ball at Tanah Gajah. We couldn’t find any hint of dust or dirt in the place, and we conducted a pretty thorough check.
We also found that their maintenance staff seemed to be on top of everything, and there were no faults discovered during our stay.
Sleep Quality
The beds here are very big and expertly made. There are turn-down services each evening, and the overall comfort factor is off the scale.
We’d also note that this resort is out in the rice fields, and there are no noise leaks to worry about. It’s blissfully peaceful, in fact.
Staff Attitude And Service Culture
We found the staff to be extremely friendly and hospitable throughout our stay, and we felt that they not only anticipated most of our needs but also had the wherewithal and authority to make changes as needed to ensure we had a great stay.
Check-in/Check-out Experience
We felt that the check-in process was pretty standard. The were no other guests checking in while we checked in, and it wasn’t very long after we arrived at the front desk before we were in our rooms.
Bathroom Quality & Functionality
The bathroom in our property was huge, the sunken bathtub was a genuine highlight of our stay, and the water pressure was fine. We also loved the toiletries provided by the hotel; they felt really high-quality.
Value For Money
While we really enjoyed our time at Tanah Gajah, we also felt that there are a lot of resorts at this price point in Ubud, and many of them are very much in the same league as this one.
That’s not a complaint; it just means that Tanah Gajah is fair value for money.
Food And Beverage Execution
Perhaps, our only real niggle with this resort was the food. It wasn’t bad, but it was decidedly average. There weren’t enough options at breakfast, and the “authentic Indonesian flavours” of meals here all seem a bit blunted and toned down for tourists.
Location & Immediate Surroundings
While there’s no doubt that this resort is in a beautiful location, it’s also quite a long way from the city, and that means you’re going to need transport to go sightseeing.
Facilities & Amenities Vs Promise
We enjoyed our balloon ride, but we’re not 100% convinced that it’s the safest vacation activity. Otherwise, we felt that all the amenities and facilities were in line with the promise and the price tag. But there was nothing really standout about them, either.
Overall “Personality”
This place is gorgeous, and its Balinese architecture is striking and memorable. You’re going to take loads of photos at Tanah Gajah, and we believe that you’d remember staying at this resort for a long time to come.
Summary: Our Overview Of Tanah Gajah
Tanah Gajah is an excellent high-end resort in Ubud, of that there’s no doubt. And if you have a family or want a balloon ride above the rice fields, it ought to be high on your shortlist of resorts.
However, we would note that there are many other places in this price bracket in this area, and you have a lot of excellent resorts to choose from.
Grading: Excellent/Highly Recommended
Other excellent choices of accommodation in Ubud include Bambootel Sawah and Uma Kalai.
FAQs
Is Tanah Gajah Family Friendly?
Yes, Tanah Gajah is a very family-friendly resort, and they have several facilities, particularly for children.
There is an onsite pool with a family area for children, some villas also have private family pools, there are cribs, laundry and babysitting services available (at a cost) and regular activities for children led by resort staff.
They also have a special package, “The Art of Family Fun”, which includes a selection of activities and treats for the whole family.
Final Thoughts On Tanah Gajah
Tanah Gajah is a lovely hotel, and you’ll have a very relaxing time here. We like that it’s particularly family-friendly, so if you have little ones, they’re going to enjoy themselves too.
However, there is a lot of competition at this price point in Ubud, and you can afford to be very picky about the amenities and facilities you want, though only Tanah Gajah offers hot air balloon rides.
