Hotel Tjampuhan Spa in Ubud, Bali

Essentials
• Location: Jl. Raya Tjampuhan, Ubud.
• Hotel website: tjampuhan-bali.com
• Hotel phone: +62 (0)361 975 368
Check prices for Hotel Tjampuhan Spa

Review of Hotel Tjampuhan & Spa in Ubud, Bali.

The two gorgeous pools at the historical Hotel Tjampuhan Spa feature old statues and beautiful views of the valley and the forest.

Hotel Tjampuhan Spa – History and ambience in a dramatic but central location.

Built for Balinese royalty in the 1920s, this colonial-style landmark exudes tradition and charm. It is spread across two forest-covered valleys and faces a nine-hundred-year-old temple, and yet, remarkably, it is within a short stroll of downtown Ubud, multiple major art museums, and numerous quaint cafés in Penestanan village. Within the hotel grounds, paths zigzag around lotus-filled ponds, an open-air yoga hut, and a lovely spring-fed swimming pool, right down to the raging river below. All rooms offer uninterrupted views of the forest, valley, and/or river. They also feature an adorable Balinese design (e.g. thatched roofs and ornately-carved doors) and exquisite traditional paintings, woodcarvings, and cushions. The entire hotel – complete with library and movie lounge – is delightfully old-fashioned, and in a good way.

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Hotel Tjampuhan Spa – The Location

  • Area: Carved into a valley facing the forest. The lobby is alongside the main road, with plenty of facilities within walking distance in both directions. About 1 km west from the center of Ubud, with a short steepish section in between.
  • Address: Along Jalan Raya Tjampuhan, part of the main road heading west from central Ubud. In Tjampuhan, one of many villages that make up Ubud, the most popular tourist area in central Bali.
  • How to Get There: Best to arrange an airport pickup with the hotel, which is about 1.5 hours (40 km) away (depending on traffic). See other options under “Local Transport” below.
  • Handy to: Penestanan village. Blanco Museum. Bintang Supermarket.

Hotel Tjampuhan Spa – The Basics

  • Guests: Overwhelmingly caters to older couples who relish the history and serenity.
  • Views: All rooms face the ravine, while most also overlook the forest, river, and distant Gunung Lebah temple.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Not expected or provided at this old-fashioned hotel.
  • Extras: Free shuttle service within Ubud. Computer stations.
  • Parking: A few spots at the reception area, but think long and hard before driving anywhere in Bali.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: +62 (0)361 975 368
  • Email: Send an email through their website.
  • Website: tjampuhan-bali.com

Hotel Tjampuhan Spa – Amenities

  • Pool: Two adorable pools, both with views of the valley and forest. One is fed by natural spring water.
  • Spa: With an amazing setting alongside the river, many treatments are based around the use and benefits of natural water. Also features a jacuzzi inside a cave.
  • Fitness Center: None.
  • For Families: Babysitting.
  • Activities: Yoga classes in a traditional bale hut.
  • Other Facilities: Movie lounge. Library.

Hotel Tjampuhan & Spa – Food and Drink

  • Restaurant & Bar: Named after the river below, the Oos Terrace restaurant offers splendid views, exquisite seating, and fine dining all day. Popular among guests are the set-price 3-course meals. The views, collection of arts and crafts, and old-style ambience make it hard to leave the adjoining Walter Spies Lounge.
  • Breakfast: Included in all rates.
  • Room Service: Available during restaurant hours of about 7 am to 9.30 pm.

Hotel Tjampuhan Spa – Rooms

  • Room Types: Superior Agung Room • Deluxe Raja Room • Walter Spies House (1 only) • List of all Rooms
  • Smoking Rooms: Very few places to smoke. Check with reception before lighting up.
  • Best Room: The one-off Walter Spies House is where the renowned German artist and former resident of Ubud once lived. Two levels lovingly restored, with delightful décor, 2 bedrooms, extensive patio, and wide-ranging views.
  • For Families: Deluxe Raja Rooms can accommodate a family of 4, and the Walter Spies House has 2 bedrooms and an open living area. However, the hotel is not really set up for families.

Hotel Tjampuhan Spa – Local Transport

  • Walking & Cycling: Ubud is surprisingly spread out and distances can be deceivingly long, but there are a few places to eat, drink, and shop within walking distance of the resort. A bit too far, however, from the center of Ubud to walk, with a steepish section along the way, so take advantage of the free hotel shuttle bus. A few hardy expats ride bicycles (which are easy to hire in Ubud), but traffic in central Ubud and hilly roads elsewhere ensure that cycling is rarely enjoyable.
  • Public Transport: There is no reliable public transport anywhere in or around Ubud.
  • Cars, Motorbikes, & Taxis: Driving a car is not recommended anywhere in Bali, but motorbikes are popular for visiting local attractions without the traffic of southern Bali. Rental of either can be arranged at the hotel. Metered taxis from southern Bali can drop passengers off in Ubud but are forbidden to operate here. So the best (and really, only) option for day trips is to charter a car with a driver. This is best organized through the resort.
  • Shuttle Bus: For towns popular with tourists (e.g. Kuta and Lovina), shuttle buses are comfortable and cheap, if a little overcrowded at times. Local operators, including the major island-wide company, Perama, will pick up (but not drop off) guests from hotels. The Kura-Kura Bus company links Ubud with southern Bali, but schedules are convoluted and routes, confusing.

Hotel Tjampuhan Spa – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

  • Littletalks Ubud – Café with a literary vibe and delightful setting overlooking the ravine. Look for the signs about 50m down the road.
  • Refresh Ubud – Striking building and popular hangout for the vast menu, funky décor, happy hours, and live music. Opposite the path leading to Littletalks.
  • Bridges Bali – Super-swish and award-winning, with an extensive wine list, live music, valley views, and 5-star service. Just down from Refresh.
  • Murni’s Warung – Opposite Bridges Bali. On 4 levels, facing a river and ravine. Local favorite since 1974 for Indonesian, Thai, and French food. Art shop inside.
  • Lala and Lili Warung – A picturesque café with lily ponds around, among several delightful options in Penestanan (see below).
  • Dharma Coffee & Juice – Features a likable décor, exquisite food, healthy drinks, and affable staff. At the Bintang shopping center, 600m up the road.

Nearby Shops

  • Bintang Supermarket – Ubud’s largest supermarket is well-stocked and reasonably convenient. About 600m up the road.

Nearby Attractions

  • Blanco Museum – Privately-run museum dedicated to the flamboyant Spanish artist, Antonio Blanco, who once lived in Ubud. About 100m down the road.
  • Penestanan – Delightful village, sadly becoming overbuilt. Famous for yoga centers, rice field views, and enchanting cafés. Accessible from the top of steep stairs starting about 150m up the road.

Hotel Tjampuhan Spa – The Hotel

The hotel is located in northwest Ubud.

Hotel Tjampuhan Spa is in the northwest section of Ubud, the most popular tourist region in central Bali.

The lobby is located away from the main road.

The lobby of the Tjampuhan is just set back from the main road.

Built in the 1920s, it still has an enticing old-fashioned charm.

The hotel was built in the 1920s and still exudes an adorable, old-fashioned charm.

The hotel is located on a hill by the Oos River.

The hotel is layered along a hillside above the Oos River.

Oos Terrace restaurant features lots of Balinese arts and crafts.

The lovely Oos Terrace restaurant is loaded with Balinese arts and crafts.

The bar by the restaurant is part of the Walter Spies Lounge.

Alongside the restaurant is the bar, part of the Walter Spies Lounge.

Walter Spies Lounge was named after a German artist who once stayed at the hotel.

Offering unparalleled views of the valley, the lounge was named after a renowned German artist who once lived on the premises.

Stone paths lead to the rooms.

Rooms are dotted along the hillside and accessible via stone paths.

Superior Agung Rooms face the valleys and forest.

Superior Agung Rooms are within attractive buildings facing the valley and forest.

The Deluxe Raja Rooms are surrounded by forested gardens.

Deluxe Raja Rooms are in traditional-style buildings among forested gardens.

Rooms are beautiful and have lots of traditional arts and crafts.

All rooms are beautifully decorated with traditional arts and crafts all over.

The room decor is very charming.

The décor throughout the rooms is so charming.

Rooms offer uninterrupted views of the forest, valley, and/or river.

Views of the forest, valley, and/or river from many rooms are uninterrupted.

The large room porches offer views down the hillside.

The sizable porch provides extensive views, often down the steep hillside.

The Bintang shopping center nearby is the largest in Ubud.

About 600m up the steepish road from the hotel, the Bintang shopping center is the largest in Ubud.

The Dharma Coffee & Juice café offers drinks and snacks.

At street level (sort of below the shopping center), the likable Dharma Coffee & Juice café offers more than just drinks.

Littletalks Ubud cafe is frequented by writers.

Littletalks Ubud, only 50m down the road from the hotel, is a café and meeting place for literary types (and anyone else, of course).

Refresh café/bar near Littletalks is very popular.

Opposite the lane down to Littletalks, the funky Refresh café/bar is a popular hangout.

Murni’s Warung has been a local institution since the mid-1970s.

Just over the road from Littletalks, Murni’s has been serving delicious food since the mid-1970s.

Bridges Bali offers classy fine dining.

Across the river from Murni’s, the sophisticated Bridges Bali provides silver service dining.

Penestanan village can be accessed via steep steps.

Only 100m up the road, steep steps lead to the adorable village of Penestanan.

Penestanan is mostly accessible only on foot.

Most of Penestanan is really only accessible on foot.

Lala and Lili Warung is worth a visit in Penestanan.

It is definitely worth climbing the steps to the sweet café, Lala and Lili Warung, in Penestanan.

Bintang Supermarket is a well-stocked supermarket.

Located about 10 minutes on foot up the steepish hill, the Bintang Supermarket is well-stocked.

Blanco Museum is an art museum located close to the hotel.

One of many art museums in Ubud, the Blanco Museum is only 100m down the road from the hotel. Check rates and availability: Hotel Tjampuhan Spa

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