By JD Free | Travel Contributer
Nestled in the emerald depths of the Keliki Valley north of Ubud, Capella Ubud isn’t so much a hotel as it is a story — told in whispers of rainforest wind, soft jungle mist, and Balinese rituals performed under the moonlight. With just 22 luxury tents and one exclusive two-bedroom lodge, this elite retreat is for travelers who seek not just privacy and pampering, but presence.
Designed by visionary architect Bill Bensley, Capella Ubud is where artistry meets nature. No trees were felled in its construction; instead, the resort was woven into the jungle — creating an otherworldly experience of suspended tree-top living without sacrificing comfort or style.
📍 Book Capella Ubud on Expedia
🛌 The Rooms: Tent-Living, Reimagined for the Jet Set
There’s nothing “roughing it” about these tents. Each of Capella Ubud’s one-bedroom tented suites (a spacious 1,862 square feet) is individually themed and luxuriously appointed with vintage steamer trunks, hand-hammered copper tubs, curated antiques, and a private saltwater plunge pool that peers out into the jungle.
Choose from three settings:
Rainforest Tents offer true immersion in the treetops. River Tents channel the meditative rhythm of flowing water. Terrace Tents provide closer access to the main camp while still delivering serenity.
For families or close friends, the two-bedroom Lodge offers rare, open-plan opulence, complete with Japanese soaking tubs and an expansive infinity pool. This is where East Indies colonial elegance meets modern eco-luxury.
Note: The terrain is steep and meandering — gorgeous, yes, but not ideal for those with mobility concerns or small children.
🌿 The Design: Theatrical, Sacred, Sublime
Capella Ubud’s design is a love letter to 19th-century European explorers — not the imperial kind, but the romantic adventurers drawn to the mysticism and magic of Southeast Asia. No two tents are alike. You might find yourself sleeping beneath Indonesian shadow puppets one night, or beside a vintage radio tuned to ghost frequencies.
The entire camp feels like a lost world rediscovered, and it’s impossible not to slow down and breathe deeper.
🧭 Immersive Experiences: Where Luxury Meets Local
From the moment you arrive — greeted by holy water, incense, and a rice blessing — you are woven into the spiritual rhythm of Bali.
Capella’s “Capella Curates” program offers bespoke cultural experiences: guided rice paddy walks, private temple visits, traditional cooking classes, sound healing ceremonies, and even melukat purification rituals in the Wos River.
Each guest is paired with a Camp Ranger, a personal concierge-meets-cultural guide, to help you navigate the soul of Ubud. Whether you want sunrise volcano treks or artisan market tours, your ranger makes the magic happen — quietly, perfectly.
🍽️ Dining: Local, Elevated, Inspired
Mads Lange, the camp’s refined dining room, takes its name from a 19th-century Danish spice trader. It serves a thoughtful mix of Indonesian and international cuisine made from locally sourced organic produce — expect fresh mango breakfasts, prawn curry, wood-fired vegetables, and lush vegan options. Dishes feel honest, never overwrought.
Api Jiwa, a more intimate chef’s counter experience, offers a pan-Asian omakase-style tasting menu that dazzles with bold flavors and dramatic presentation.
A daily ritual of afternoon tea and evening cocktails is served in the Officers’ Tent — where scones, satay, and s’mores are shared under Balinese stars.
💆 Wellness: Jungle Healing for the Soul
Capella’s Auriga Wellness Spa is hidden beneath rainforest canopy — offering deeply rooted treatments inspired by Balinese traditions and lunar cycles. Massages are more than massages here; they’re purification ceremonies. Healing stones, sacred oils, jungle sounds — it’s all part of a journey inward.
There’s also a full suite of complimentary experiences: yoga at sunrise, sound bathing, stargazing, and sacred meditation by the Wos River.
This isn’t a place for fitness fanatics. It’s a place for soul seekers — and the occasional silent float in your private plunge pool.
🧳 Who This Is For
Capella Ubud is not for everyone — and that’s precisely the point.
It’s for the:
Elite traveler who has seen it all and now craves meaning. Honeymooners or couples seeking privacy and reconnection. Creatives, artists, and thinkers who travel not to escape life, but to deepen it. High-net-worth families or friends who understand that luxury is experience, not opulence.
If you’re the type who prefers DJs by the pool or champagne on tap — this isn’t your vibe. But if quietude, ceremony, nature, and nuance stir your soul, you’ll find it hard to leave.
⚠️ Good to Know
Rates typically begin around $1,200–$1,500 USD per night, depending on the season.
Best Time to Go: May through October (dry season).
Nearest Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), about 1.5 hours by car.
Mobility note: Terrain is steep and may be challenging for some guests.
📍 Book Capella Ubud on Expedia
✨ The Final Word
Capella Ubud is one of those rare places that doesn’t just show you Bali — it initiates you into it. It’s not a hotel. It’s a passage. A rite. A stage upon which the jungle, the spirit, and the guest meet in sacred communion.
Travelers looking for connection — not distraction — will find themselves irrevocably changed.
And perhaps, like the jungle itself, a little wilder.
Book on Orbitz | Book on Expedia
Disclaimer: Our independent travel journalism is free to you. If you book your stay from our Orbitz and Expedia links, we earn a small commission, with no cost to you. This keeps the articles published.
Leave a comment