CAPELLA UBUD
Capella Ubud is a tented camp that combines the unexpected and ultra-luxurious. You’re in for an enchanting experience
LOCATION: On the outskirts of Bali’s cultural hub of Ubud, Capella’s luxurious tented camp resort nestles within four hectares of rainforest lined with rice paddies, and overlooks the sacred Wos River. This is Keliki village, located about half an hour away from the centre of Ubud, and a two-hour drive from Denpasar airport. But don’t let its apparent seclusion fool you—a specially built 4G tower ensures guests can remain connected.
ROOM & DESIGN: World-renowned designer Bill Bensley is the brains behind the sumptuous interiors of Capella Ubud’s 23 tents, spa and both its restaurants, drawing inspiration from the camp life of early colonial settlers in Bali. Each of the tents—22 have one bedroom and one is a two-bedroom lodge—has its own theme, offering a fascinating glimpse into Bali’s colonial heritage. Charming details are on display throughout the tents: a minibar emerges from a leather trunk; there’s a deep soak tub made from hand-hammered copper; vintage campsite tools are tacked to the walls; and there’s an elaborate loo worthy of the set of Game of Thrones. Each tent comes with its own private saltwater pool and a rustic entrance accessed by a suspension bridge. Step outside your lodge and you have a spacious wooden deck with a daybed where you can lounge and commune with nature—though it’s easy to do that indoors, too, as the tents, while fully air-conditioned, are built using only thick membranes so guests remain close to the sights and sounds of the surrounding jungle. That said, we’d recommend a tent farther down the property closer to the rice paddies and not within hearing distance of the road.
FACILITIES: There’s plenty to do at the camp, from working out at The Armory, a tented gym where suspension yoga and barre-based classes take place, to swimming at the Cistern, a 30m outdoor saltwater pool. There are also guided activities such as rice paddy trekking, jungle boot camps, mud pilates and mountain bike rides. For a more spiritual experience, opt to join a cleansing ritual with Keliki villagers at the camp’s temple, or immerse yourself in local arts and crafts. And a personal favourite—spend at least one evening sitting around the campfire, toasting marshmallows and sipping hot chocolate while watching a movie.
SPA: The Auriga Wellness spa offers a range of treatments inspired by the rhythms of the moon and local Balinese traditions. Only 100 per cent organic, locally crafted products made in camp, are used. The menu can be overwhelming but you can leave your wellness programme in the capable hands of your therapist. Relax to the sounds of the rainforest, though as the spa is also tented you may hear the conversations of passers-by and this can make it difficult to be completely at ease.
FOOD & DRINK: The cuisine at Capella Ubud is superb, managing to be both inventive and unpretentious. The team, led by chef Matt Mccool, takes pride in the fact that all ingredients are locally sourced and prepared in-house—dry-aged meats included. Breakfast is unmissable. Served at Mads Lange, the main dining room that’s named after a Danish spice trader who was nicknamed the King of Bali, guests can choose from a selection of healthy breakfast bowls, hearty plates of grilled homemade sausages and bacon with sides of beans and eggs, or local fare such as delicious loempia, a fried spring roll. A totally different experience is Api Jiwa, an Asian barbecue restaurant. There’s no menu here, so prepare to be surprised by Mccool over a 10-course meal that includes premium cuts of beef, seafood and vegetables, all perfectly seasoned with local spices. It’s a gastronomical journey— and one to be savoured.