Villa Borobudur Resort

A boutique villa experience on an Indonesian island? It has to be Bali, right? Far from it — far, in this case, both figuratively and literally. This is central Java — just the next island over, in the hills outside Yoygakarta, the cradle of Javanese culture. And the setting for Villa Borobudur Resort is far in every sense from Bali’s busy beaches. Here in Java’s inland countryside, flanked by distant volcanoes, is Borobudur itself, the 9th-century Buddhist monument that makes this particular stretch of central Java one of Indonesia’s most culturally significant sites.

If you’re here to see Borobudur itself, you could do much, much worse than these six villas — five of them traditional joglo pavilions containing double bedrooms and private bathrooms, and one, Villa Diponegoro, a more self-contained residential-style villa with its own pool and staff. And if, on the other hand, you’re simply here to get away, you won’t be able to avoid seeing Borobudur — the property’s dramatic vistas include views of the temple. Tours, needless to say, can be arranged, and there’s no shortage of other outdoor activity to go along with it — hiking, rafting or bicycling, say, followed by a spa treatment and a meal or an Indonesian cooking class back at the hotel. The meals, by the way, are included in the rate, full board being Villa Borobudur Resort’s interpretation of the local custom of offering house guests something to eat and drink. Once you’ve gotten used to traditional Javanese hospitality like this, Bali will be the last thing on your mind.

How to get there:
Adisucipto International Airport (JOG - Yogyakarta) is located 45 km from Villa Borobudur Resort. The Adi Sumarmo International Airport (SOC - Solo) is located 90 km away.