Places to Stay in Ubud

A Grown-Up Guide to Ubud Bali Places to Stay for the Mature Traveller.

Ubud has long been Bali’s cultural and spiritual heart. Nestled among rice fields and rainforests, it attracts travellers seeking more than beaches and nightlife.

But with so many places to stay in Ubud Bali, it can be hard to decide which accommodation is right for you.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the great Ubud Bali places to stay, with recommendations for accommodations across different price ranges.

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Central Ubud Convenience & Culture at Your Doorstep

Best for: First-time visitors, travellers who want easy access to cafes, markets, yoga studios, and evening performances.

Central Ubud is buzzing. You’ll find everything from guesthouses tucked down alleyways to boutique hotels steps from the Royal Palace. The trade-off? Traffic, crowds, and prices that reflect Ubud’s popularity.

Mid-Range Choice	Alaya Resort Ubud booking.com	Comfortable, modern luxury near Ubud Monkey Forest. €99-319/night  |  USD $116-374/night
Luxury Choice	Komaneka at Bisma booking.com	Sweeping rice field views with fine dining in town, €201-527/night  |  USD $235-619/night

VERDICT:  Central Ubud offers cultural immersion and convenience, but don’t expect peace and quiet.

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Nyuh Kuning Village Charm Beside the Ubud Monkey Forest

Best for: Travellers who want a quieter village atmosphere whilst still being able to walk into central Ubud.

The only thing separating Nyuh Kuning from Ubud’s city-centre is the Monkey Forest. But being south of the Forest, Nyuh Kuning has more of a “village feel,” with family guesthouses and small cafés lining its streets.

Mid-Range Choice	Villa Sonia booking.com	Boutique villa with lush gardens and a pool. €49-74/night  |  USD $58-87/night
Mid-Range Choice	Samhita Garden  booking.com	Elegant suites in a serene, traditional setting. €78-145/night  |  USD $92-170/night
Mid-Range Choice	Alam Jiwa booking.com	Traditional Balinese style with rice field views. €93-183/night  |  USD $109-215/night
Mid-Range Choice	Alam Indah booking.com	Peaceful setting with spacious, artistic rooms. €79-152/night  |  USD $93-178/night

VERDICT:  Nyuh Kuning offers village charm and easy access to central Ubud by walking around the Monkey Forest, but views are limited and the traffic is still a challenge.

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Sayan & Kedewatan Riverside Luxury

Best for:  High-end travellers who want privacy, nature, and 5-star indulgence.

Just west of Ubud, Sayan and Kedewatan are home to some of Bali’s most iconic luxury resorts. Villas perch on jungle ridges as the Ayung River flows below. This is the Ubud of magazine covers — green, serene, and exclusive.

Luxury Choice	Four Seasons Sayan booking.com	Villas floating above rice paddies. €951-2,070/night  |  USD $1,117-2,431/night
Luxury Choice	Amandari (Aman) Trip.com	Iconic Aman resort with timeless Balinese elegance. €932-2,345/night  |  USD $1,095-2,754/night
Luxury Choice	Mandapa (Ritz-Carlton) booking.com	Secluded luxury with world-class service. €1,123-1,547/night  |  USD $1,319-1,818/night

VERDICT:  Perfect for a splurge, but not practical if you’re seeking mid-range or budget stays.

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Penestanan Leafy Neighbourhood Just West of Ubud

Best for: Long-term travellers, yoga lovers, and those who want a village vibe close to town.

Known for its artist community, Penestanan is a leafy village 10-minute west of Ubud. Narrow lanes wind past cafes, studios, and yoga centres. It’s quieter than central Ubud but still close enough to town.

Mid-Range Choice	Sri Ratih Cottages booking.com	Lush gardens and Balinese charm at great value. €67-87/night  |  USD $79-102/night
Mid-Range Choice	The Sankara Suites  booking.com	Private pool villas with lush jungle views. €90-406/night  |  USD $106-478/night

VERDICT:  Penestanan is quieter than central Ubud and it’s artistic vibe gives it loads of charm, but it lacks the sweeping rice terrace views found further north (in Tegallalang and Payangan).

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Payangan & Tegallalang The Heartland of Bali – Where Authentic Balinese Culture Thrives.

Ubud has long been the island’s showcase of art, tradition, and spirituality. Yet, with its fame has come congestion. Central Ubud can feel overcrowded, and traffic frequently clogs its narrow roads.

For seasoned travellers seeking calm, the best places to stay in Ubud Bali are found in PAYANGAN & TEGALLALANG in Bali’s Central Highlands, just 20-30 minutes north of central Ubud.

This upland region offers rice terraces cascading down hillsides, soothing waterfalls, sacred temples and authentic village life – whilst Ubud’s restaurants and performances remain within easy reach.

Best for:  Mature travellers seeking peace, authenticity, and balance.

Luxury Choice	Capella Ubud (Tegallalang) booking.com	Ultra-luxury tented camp blending nature and glamour. €1,011-2,008/night  |  USD $1,188-2,359/night
Luxury Choice	Padma Resort Ubud (Payangan) booking.com	Exclusive resort with infinity pool and jungle views. €205-863/night  |  USD $240-1,014/night

HIGHLIGHT STAY: 

Gilded Palms Co-Living Residence

(Payangan, 25 minutes north of Ubud)

gildedpalmsbali.com

The only Bali property

designed exclusively for mature travellers (40+).

With just four elegant suites in a boutique villa, Gilded Palms offers peace, privacy, and a small community of like-minded adults.

• Facilities:  Pool overlooking rice fields, gym, chef-prepared meals, bar and barista service, in-house massage, concierge, touring services, onsite driver, and free daily shuttle to and from Ubud – everything you need under one roof.

• Atmosphere:  No kids. No parties. Just quiet grown-up living, surrounded by rice terraces, temples, and waterfalls.

• Stay Options:  1 month minimum - with options for 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

• Rates:  Here’s the real shocker:

  One-month stay (minimum stay):  €780 / USD $914.

  Longer stays:  as low as €520 / USD $609 per month.

That’s a fraction of what you’d spend at most mid-range Ubud hotels - whilst enjoying comparable luxury and a level of attentive, personalised service that even top-tier hotels rarely deliver.

VERDICT:  If you’re a mature traveller, Payangan and Tegallalang are the ultimate areas to stay north of Ubud. And Gilded Palms is our top pick for the best-value Ubud Bali places to stay.

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Final Thoughts

Choosing the Ubud Bali places to stay that are best for you

depends on what you value most:

Central Ubud for convenience and culture. 

Nyuh Kuning for village charm and walkable access.

Penestanan for an artistic community vibe.

Sayan & Kedewatan for high-end riverside luxury.

Payangan & Tegallalang for peace and authentic Bali, yet close to Ubud.

From our experience, Payangan & Tegallalang are the best places to stay in Ubud for mature travellers – tranquil, cultural, and surrounded by nature.

But, at the end of the day, the best places to stay in Ubud Bali for you – are those areas and accommodations that give you the lifestyle you want, whether that’s luxury, walkable convenience, or a quiet retreat in Bali’s highlands.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q : What are the best places to stay in Ubud?

A : The best places to stay in Ubud include Central Ubud for convenience, Penestanan for artsy village charm, and Payangan & Tegallalang for peace and culture.

Q : Which Ubud Bali places to stay are best for mature travellers?

A : For travellers 40+, Payangan and Tegallalang are ideal. They offer tranquillity, authentic Balinese culture, and unique stays like Gilded Palms.

Q : Is Central Ubud a good place to stay?

A : Yes. Central Ubud is great for first-time visitors, with cafés, temples, and cultural shows nearby. The downside is traffic and busy streets.

Q : What’s the best location to stay in Ubud for luxury?

A : Sayan and Kedewatan are the best luxury areas in Ubud, home to resorts like Four Seasons, Amandari, and Mandapa, Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

Q : What is the top recommended place to stay in Ubud Bali?

A : For mature travellers, our top recommendation is Gilded Palms in Payangan — boutique suites, luxury services, and exceptional long-stay value.