Kappa Senses Ubud

Tucked away amid scenic rice paddies on the outskirts of town, Kappa Senses Ubud is both literally and figuratively immersed in Balinese culture. The resort, like several others in the area, embraces an eco-friendly philosophy while delivering unabashed luxury — the kind of place with a strict recycling program and an ultra-modern spa, solar paneling and private infinity pools, and a vast organic garden and farm that sources ingredients for the hotel’s gourmet restaurants and bars, which are unironically referred to as Epicurean Nests.

Suites and villas embody the same mix of high-end and down-to-earth, with airy indoor-outdoor layouts and built-in four-poster beds made of locally sourced wood and draped in elegant white mosquito netting. The comforts grow increasingly lavish in higher-level villas with freestanding tubs, private pools, and wide outdoor daybeds, but all rooms have soothing views over the surrounding rice fields or the jungle.

The resort’s two pools are pleasingly contrasting, with one featuring an infinity edge and the other lazy river-style with a poolside bungalow serving cocktails. It’s one of several venues where guests are invited to sip drinks and graze on creative Balinese dishes throughout the day and evening. The sleek spa complex, with a fitness center, hammam, yoga deck, and relaxation lounge with tea service, is a five-star attraction; unsurprisingly, many of the spa’s essential oils were made with the garden’s herbs. But what sets this hotel apart is its integration with the local community. Kappa Senses Ubud is more than a place to stay: the resort offers a wide range of cultural experiences both on- and off-site, from farm tours to temple visits to market trips and Balinese cooking classes. And the resort’s relationship with the place isn’t just for show — half of the garden’s bounty is given directly to families in the village.