Viceroy Bali

No relation, apparently, to any other Viceroy, in Los Angeles or anywhere else — the Viceroy Bali is a one-off, a family-owned hotel, a rarity at the high end of the resort market. The location is increasingly familiar, as more travelers discover the charms of inland Bali — the Viceroy is minutes from Ubud, high on a hillside overlooking the lush (and steep) Lembah Valley.

Familiar is good, when it’s well done. The style is pure contemporary-luxe Bali, clean lines and sleek surfaces with traditional furnishings and technological touches like 42” LCD televisions and DVD players. Perhaps more remarkable is the fact that each one comes with a private pool, some with infinity edges looking out into space above the valley. Garden villas have indoor-outdoor bathrooms surrounded by lush foliage, while terrace villas come with pavilions overhanging the valley edge, like outdoor living rooms, with a view.

There’s a small boardroom and conference center, if you’re unlucky enough to need it; there is a helipad, after all, so presumably some guests are high-powered enough to make use of it. You’re better off in the Akoya Spa though, which is impressively modern and efficient. It’s a bit closer to the place’s spirit of idyllic island escape, frankly. And you’ll be glad to have not one but two restaurants: the casual all-day Cascades, with its views of the lush jungle valley, and the fine-dining Apéritif Restaurant & Bar, set in a stunning Art Deco dining room.