Accommodation
Ubud Hotels — Where To Stay in Bali
Bali's cultural heart - rice terraces, temples, art and jungle wellness retreats.
Best Hotels in Ubud
Ubud sits inland in Bali's central highlands, roughly an hour and a half from the coast, and it is the island's cultural and wellness capital rather than a beach base. Accommodation ranges from family-run homestays inside the town's compounds to jungle resorts perched over the Ayung and Petanu river valleys, and the difference between them is mostly about how far out of town you are willing to be.
Ubud is cooler and greener than the south, and it rains more. That climate is exactly why the valley resorts, infinity pools over the rainforest and open-air yoga shalas work so well here.
The properties listed below are the Ubud stays we have checked. If your dates are tight, the search option takes you to live availability rather than a padded list of hotels we have not reviewed.
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Curated stays across every budget. Filter by category, then check live prices and availability with the booking partner.
Where To Stay in Ubud
The core decision in Ubud is central versus valley. Central Ubud — around Jalan Monkey Forest, Jalan Hanoman and Jalan Raya Ubud — lets you walk to the market, the palace, restaurants and yoga studios, and it is the right choice for shorter stays and for travellers without a driver. The trade-off is traffic noise and less of the jungle view people come for.
Valley and ridge resorts in Sayan, Payangan, Tegallalang and Keliki deliver the dramatic scenery, deep quiet and river-gorge pools, but you are then dependent on hotel shuttles or a car for every meal in town — usually 15 to 40 minutes each way.
A common approach for a week in Bali is two or three nights in central Ubud for the culture and walking, then two nights in a valley resort to slow down, before moving to the coast.
For background on the area itself — its history, beaches and atmosphere — read our Ubud Bali guide.
Best Areas to Stay in Ubud
- Central Ubud
- Around the palace, art market and Monkey Forest Road. Best for walkability, homestays and boutique hotels, and for travellers who want to eat out without booking a car.
- Penestanan and Sayan
- West of the centre above the Ayung River. Rice-terrace walks, artist studios and the most famous valley resorts, a short ride or a stair-and-path walk from town.
- Nyuh Kuning and Pengosekan
- South of Monkey Forest, quieter village lanes with mid-range villas and boutique stays, still within walking distance of central Ubud.
- Tegallalang and Keliki
- North of Ubud among the terraces, with jungle villas and swing-and-view resorts. Very scenic and very car-dependent.
Hotels in Ubud by Budget
Budget
Ubud has Bali's best budget accommodation culture: family homestays inside traditional compounds, often with breakfast on your balcony and a genuine welcome from the family. Expect a fan or basic air-conditioning, simple bathrooms and a central location — many are a two-minute walk from the market.
Mid-range
Boutique hotels and private-pool villas with rice-field or garden views, generally a 10 to 20 minute walk or short ride from the centre. This tier gives you the pool and the view without the resort price; check whether a free shuttle into town is included, because it makes a real difference.
Luxury
Ubud's luxury tier is river-valley resorts with cantilevered pools, spa pavilions and full wellness programmes, plus large private villas with staff. Look at the walk between your room and the restaurant — many valley resorts involve steep stairs or a buggy, which matters for older travellers.
Best Ubud Hotels for Couples, Families & More
- Couples
- Ubud is the honeymoon half of a classic Bali split with a beach area. Valley villas with a private pool and jungle outlook are the draw, and dinner in town is easy with a hotel shuttle.
- Wellness travellers
- Yoga studios, retreat centres, spas and plant-based restaurants are concentrated around Penestanan, Pengosekan and central Ubud. Book close to your studio — crossing town twice a day for classes gets old.
- Families
- Families do best in resorts with two-bedroom villas and pools within a short ride of town. Ubud has no beach, so pair it with a coastal stay if the children want the sea.
- Solo travellers
- Central homestays are inexpensive, safe and sociable, and Ubud is one of the few places in Bali where you can genuinely walk everywhere you need to go.
Things To Do Near Ubud Hotels
Within walking distance of central Ubud hotels you have the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud Palace and art market, the Campuhan Ridge Walk, and a dense cluster of galleries, yoga studios and spas. The Tegallalang rice terraces and the swings are a short drive north.
Ubud is also the best base for the interior: Mount Batur sunrise treks, Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi temples, waterfall circuits around Tegenungan and Tibumana, white-water rafting on the Ayung, and silver-jewellery and cooking classes. See things to do in Bali for experiences that include Ubud hotel pick-up.
Browse things to do in Bali to add tours and experiences around your Ubud stay.
Getting to Ubud From Bali Airport
Ubud is roughly 35 to 40 kilometres from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). Realistically that is 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours by car, and the second half of the trip through Sukawati and Mas is often the slowest part.
A pre-booked private transfer is the standard option; drivers wait at arrivals with a name board and the fixed price avoids negotiating after a long flight. Many Ubud resorts also sell their own transfer.
If you land late, consider one night near the airport or in the south before heading up, especially with young children — the drive after midnight is quicker but it is still a long haul at the end of a flight from Australia.
See times, vehicle options and booking for a Bali Airport to Ubud transfer, or check Bali airport arrivals before you land.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ubud Hotels
- Is it better to stay in central Ubud or in the jungle?
- Central Ubud is better for short stays, walking to restaurants and the market, and for travellers without a driver. Valley resorts in Sayan, Payangan or Tegallalang are better for scenery and quiet but need a shuttle or car for every trip into town.
- Does Ubud have a beach?
- No. Ubud is inland in the central highlands, about an hour and a half from the south coast. Travellers who want both usually split their stay between Ubud and a beach area such as Seminyak, Sanur or Nusa Dua.
- Are Ubud homestays worth it?
- Yes, if you value location and local hospitality over facilities. Ubud homestays are family-run compounds in the centre of town, usually with breakfast included, and they are among the best-value rooms in Bali.
- How long is the drive from the airport to Ubud?
- Around 35 to 40 kilometres, which typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on traffic through the southern suburbs.
- Is Ubud cooler than the beach areas?
- Yes, slightly. The elevation makes nights and early mornings noticeably cooler and fresher than Seminyak or Kuta, and rainfall is higher, particularly between November and March.
- How many nights should I stay in Ubud?
- Three nights suits most itineraries: one for the town and Monkey Forest, one for a temple or waterfall circuit, and one to actually use the pool. Wellness travellers and walkers often stay a week.
Nearby Areas To Compare
Still deciding? Compare Canggu hotels, Seminyak hotels and Sanur hotels, all within an easy drive of Ubud.
Compare areas
Other Places To Stay In Bali
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