At the end of our stay in Ubud, Steve and I stayed at Adiwana Alas Harum. The hotel is located north of town, right by the northern entrance to Campuhan Ridge Walk, and is built into a hillside with the most incredible view.
Even though Adiwana Alas Harum is part of a larger hotel group, it feels more like a boutique hotel than a typical resort. The service is personal and attentive, with a hotel manager who is often around the common areas and happy to take time for a chat with guests.
The Room
Our room was a few levels below reception, with views of the lush green hillside across the valley. The first thing I noticed was the large terrace, which had the loveliest sofa and quickly became my favorite spot at the hotel.
The entire wall facing the terrace consisted of glass doors that could be opened completely. When the doors were open, it felt like staying right in the middle of the jungle. You could hear birds in the trees surrounding the hotel, and the view was fantastic.
The bathroom was large and beautiful, with a really nice walk-in closet. The bathroom amenities were Byredo Bal d’Afrique, which is one of my absolute favorite fragrances. It smells so good, light, warm, and just a little sweet at the same time.
A plate of fresh fruit was waiting for us when we arrived, and there was also a nice selection of loose-leaf teas in glass tubes, along with a Nespresso machine. In the evening, the staff stopped by for turndown service, replenished the bottled water in glass bottles, and got the room ready for the night.
The Restaurants: Black Garlic and Flame
Adiwana Alas Harum has two restaurants that are very different from each other, but both are worth visiting.
Black Garlic is located on the same level as reception and has beautiful views across the valley. This is where breakfast was served every morning. As the name suggests, the focus is on black garlic, which is regular garlic that has been aged under controlled heat and humidity for several weeks. During the process, the cloves turn completely black and soft, and the flavor becomes very different from ordinary garlic. The sharp garlic flavor almost disappears and is replaced by a sweet, deep umami taste.
Several dishes, including the restaurant’s signature dessert, feature black garlic, but there were also plenty of other options on the menu, which overall had a fairly international profile.
Flame is located down by the pool and is the hotel’s grill restaurant. The focus here is more on Balinese and Indonesian cuisine, with a more generous use of spices and local flavors. We had both lunch and dinner at Flame during our stay and enjoyed some fantastic meals. It was my personal favorite of the two restaurants.
The Pool Area
The pool area is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen.
The infinity pool is a good size and faces the green hillside across the valley, so the view really couldn’t be much better. You can order food and drinks from Flame, which makes it easy to spend most of the day by the pool if that’s what you feel like doing. And yes, it probably will be.
The water was the perfect temperature throughout our stay. Cool enough to feel refreshing, but never uncomfortably cold.
Tejas Spa
Like the other Adiwana hotels, Adiwana Alas Harum has its own Tejas Spa. Tejas is Adiwana’s in-house spa concept, which you’ll find across the group’s resorts.
I’ve tried treatments at Tejas Spa at several different properties around Ubud, and the standard is consistently high. Prices are higher than at the small local massage places in town, but still very reasonable for a resort spa.
At Adiwana Alas Harum, Steve and I booked a traditional Balinese massage. The treatment was professional and relaxing, and it was wonderful being able to simply take the elevator down to the spa.
Activities
If you’d like to do a little more than relax by the pool, Adiwana Alas Harum offers a nice selection of activities for guests.
Many of the activities are complimentary, including yoga several times a week, Jamu Making, where you’ll learn how to make the traditional Indonesian wellness drink, and a Morning Walk along Campuhan Ridge Walk.
The hotel also offers a number of paid activities, including cooking classes and photo shoots, which can be booked directly through reception.
There is also a shuttle to central Ubud several times a day, which is a big advantage since Alas Harum is located a bit outside town. It’s also worth noting that Grab is not permitted in the area.
Is Adiwana Alas Harum Right for You?
Adiwana Alas Harum is especially well suited for couples, solo travelers, and adults looking for a place that focuses on relaxation, good food, and beautiful surroundings. The hotel is not specifically geared toward families with children, and the atmosphere is generally quiet and peaceful.
If you’re dreaming of waking up to peace and quiet and one of the most beautiful views in Ubud, Adiwana Alas Harum is a great choice. For Steve and me, it was the perfect way to end our stay in Ubud.
Book your stay at Adiwana Alas Harum
