Finding the Magic of Ubud, Bali

Because I started this 3 month trip in Bali, I did not manage to travel light. With two average size suitcases & a carry-on, all 3 rolling bags, I did not want to move hotels often. I booked the first 7 nights in Nusa Dua (see the previous 2 entries), & the next 8 nights in Ubud. This entry is about the Westin Ubud where I stayed. If it’s not relevant to you, just skip to the next Entry to read about my Ubud Sightseeing.

There were 30 hotels in the Marriott brand to choose from & Bali is affordable both with cash or Bonvoy points. While researching Ubud lodging, I started on the Bonvoy site & cross checked recent hotel reviews on Trip Advisor. Because I appreciate and use TripAdvisor, I contribute reviews after my stays as well. I looked at a Tribute Portfolio in the brand in Ubud. It appeared to be lovely & it the room rate worked was only $112.00 a night. But then I saw the photos of the Westin Ubud! It’s a quiet & green oasis, but a 20 minute drive to downtown Ubud. Some Trip Advisor reviewers find this out of the way location a minus, but for me it was a plus. I enjoyed both of the hotels so much that I booked the same two again for my 6 night end of trip “wellness” stay before starting the long trip back home to the US. I was welcomed “home” at both like a “dear friend.” The hospitality really was amazing.

The Bali cities are a bit like the towns and cities in Thailand. The sidewalks can be treacherous & overhead electric & cable wires are haphazard. They can be hanging down to street level & who knows whether it is a live wire or not. Behind the road frontage, in Ubud there are many treasures to be discovered. Beautifully decorated, comfortable cafes & coffee shops, stores and galleries with local art & crafts, street markets & historic temples. Of course I wanted to see & experience Ubud, but as a solo senior woman traveler, I needed a reassuring level of safety and comfort in my lodging.

The Westin provided that and more! The hotel is sits in front of a river, and over looks a lush green mountain backdrop. The lobby & comfortable indoor outdoor Lobby Bar are on the 5th floor -that’s the top floor. The generously sized rooms are down the lift or stairs. The breakfast (also dinner) restaurant is on the 3rd floor. And Treetops, the beautiful Poolside restaurant which is open for lunch and dinner is on level one, along with the freestanding kids club, gym & spa buildings.

I enjoyed relaxing at the Westin & it was a delight to return to after sightseeing days & trips to town. In late November to early December, it was shoulder season, the very beginning of the rainy season & well ahead of the Christmas & New Years holidays. For a 5 star resort & spa, the room rates of around $225.00 a night are enticing for a hotel at this level. I used points for 4 nights & paid & earned points for the latter 4. It was the middle of the rainy season when I returned. It was cloudy all day but the heavy downpours were mostly during the night & my activities weren’t really affected. In November I wrote a Trip Advisor review. My return stay in late February to early March equaled the perfection of the first. I even had the same spacious room! Here’s an updated review.

I stayed at the beautiful Westin Ubud Resort for 8 nights in late November, 2025. As a solo, adventurous senior woman traveler, I as very well taken care of. My stay was as close to perfect as it gets. Perhaps it is the Balinese hospitality, but I and other guests that I met felt that we were treated like we were celebrities.

I arrived on a Thursday & was given a lovely, spacious pool & mountain view junior suite with balcony on the 3rd floor. Great room. Amazing shower and tub. That was a Platinum upgrade. I made Titanium during my stay & in addition to the included wonderful daily international breakfast buffet & lobby bar cocktail coupons, there were special gifts & recognition in my room.

Other reviewers mentioned the Westin location about 20 minutes from the center of Ubud. For me that was a plus. The hotel setting is quiet & the Resort offers included activities; e.g. yoga, yogalates in the pool, other fitness classes & local crafts. The lobby bar offered light treats & live music four nights a week & the setting was relaxing and lovely.

It’s easy to get around. I used Grab Rideshare & two private drivers for sightseeing and transfers. Check the PS for the What’s App # for Kadek, a terrific young man to be with; he is a great English speaking driver.

In addition to breakfast, I had dinner at Tall Trees most nights, all delicious, with attentive service & a relaxing atmosphere under a fan. I met the hotel’s head Chef, Sebastian, on my first day there. A few times a year, Sebastian plans a special set menu dinner & wine tasting. He was having an Italian night the next evening. At reasonable resort prices, guests started with included cocktails & hors d’oeuvres. We were encouraged to sit with other guests which provided interesting dinner company for me. Each course had a special wine pour & our elegant & tasty dinner was a highlight of my stay. If offered the opportunity, don’t pass this up.


Because I stayed for eight nights in November & for 4 more in February-March, many staff & interns personally impacted my stay. The list is long & I probably missed a few folks too, but each person made my stay meaningful.
Reception & Loyalty Staff:
Safitri, Tatia, Eka, Era, Wira, Nara, & Widya, Agus, Luna & Try! Hotel Greeters Ayu, & Pusma & Senia who were trainees.
Riski was a helpful Bellman. Pusma made a point to welcome me back, reminding me that she previously had helped arrange my desired outside laundry service. I think she has since been able to similarly assist other guests with this.
Yoga Teachers & Pool Attendants:
I did 6 classes while there. The Westin wellness focus elevates this property from other brands. Thank you Heri, Anom & Ardi. (And 3 with Heri plus a pool stretch class with Anom, all terrific on my return stay.)
Sebastian Head Chef:
He is responsible for all of the restaurants & their staff, the Italian Wine dinner & makes the best chocolate croissant I’ve ever had. Hadi is the Bar Manager & both executives personally welcomed me back.

At The Lobby Bar, Tall Trees & Tatia where Breakfast is served the list is long & I apologize for those I’ve missed. But each staff member makes an effort to interact personally & this especially made me feel at home. You each made a difference!
Dharma, Krisna & Pande & Astim & Berly & Wiana (lovely trainees,) & Andika- thanks for the special avocado toast. Oka, Nanette, Diah greeted me every morning by name. Artini, Wintari, Agus, Mahesa, Desi & Nando, Yana, Ana, Wirawan, Pradipta, Pani, & Sadina, Tia (trainee) & Ariawan, Lani, Arcana, Dian & Risks.
There were quite a few skilled baristas among this group! Personalized Decaf Cappuccino awaited me every morning.

I was so intrigued that I booked the Barista class to learn to make a proper coffee. Wirawan was a patient teacher. I made good coffee, but my Cappuccino Art need lots of practice before anyone would hire me! I laughed lots & really enjoyed this one hour class!

Housekeeping: Wayan manages & motivates a terrific group!
On my return trip, Nesya reminded everyone that I enjoyed the amazing towel art! Sindu & Adi, & especially Wawan, Ivan, Nesya & Amerta, Valen, Junawan, Budi & Arta, Dena,Angarra, Sarga, Dika, Sastra, Berliana & of course, Nesya!

I have so many great photos of the whimsical towel displays that I might have to make that a separate entry. Those are some of my favorites! Thank you all!

A Boreh Body Mask is an herbal skin mud treatment used in Bali homes. It has medicinal properties. I signed up for this included Resort Activity. Eli & Amelia taught me to make it.

The next day when I had a spa treatment with Boreh at a day spa, I really felt the benefits in my arthritic bones and joints. Here’s the recipe!
Ingredients
Lemon Grass
Ginger
Galangal
Aromatic Ginger
Cloves powder
Cinnamon powder
Star Anise Powder
Lime
Soak the rice 20 min. To soften
Add two tsp rice plus 1 tsp each of the 3 powders to mortor & chop & grind. Add a little water as needed. Add chopped ginger 1 thumb each but less aromatic.
Chop & grind it well to make a solid paste. Apply to arms and legs, especially your joints. Rinse it off after 15 - 20 minutes.

The hotel activities also include a Nature Walk, offered daily in the neighborhood outside of the hotel. I did it once & the leader whose name I missed, was attentive to safety, knowledgeable & led a nice hour walk to see local flora & herb & vegetable gardens, a neighborhood temple & nearby rice fields.

This Westin gets it right! It’s an oasis of calm, provides time & activities for relaxation & wellness & healthy food options. It’s a really good spot from which to visit the Ubud rice terraces, 11th century uncrowded temples, & other sights. I’ll share the not to miss places I went in the next entry.

PS: How to get to the Westin Ubud.
I booked Kadek (3 days) for my transfers from Nusa Dua to Ubud with sights on the way, for my airport transfer & a sightseeing days too. He can pick you up from the Ngurah Rai Airport and return you there too. He is patient, attentive & careful & speaks English well. You an book him ahead or check for availability on short notice. There are TA reviews for him too. Here’s his What’s App: Kadek “Ubud Lovely Driver” +62 812 39905338.