Luxury on Land

With its unsurpassed island location, Nihi Sumba is an adventure traveller’s dream with an unparalleled activities list on a magical island that time forgot. From surfing the resort’s legendary waves to big game fishing for mahi mahi and wahoo, diving and spearfishing, hiking through local villages, mountain biking in the lush forests and horse riding on the beach as the sun sets on the horizon, there’s something here to suit every desire.

Amanjiwo is undoubtedly one of our favourite hotels in Indonesia – this luxurious retreat is located in a very special and culturally-rich area of central Java and offers guests the utmost secluded comfort with a perfect blend of relaxation and active pursuits. In the surrounding region, visit the spectacular Borobudur temple, go cycling or horse riding through local villages, or hike up one of the nearby volcanoes and take in spectacular vistas and forests in this fertile land.

Just a stone’s throw from Singapore, the Anambas Islands still feel blissfully remote. This small archipelago rises from the South China Sea to the east of the Malay Archipelago. Across around 250 islands, just a tenth are inhabited and the remainder comprises idyllic, coral-fringed shores and rising hills coated in tropical forest. Bawah Reserve is a spellbinding luxury resort in these far-flung shores, with fantastic eco credentials to boot.

Just off the coast of Sumbawa in the Lesser Sunda chain, Moyo Island is a pristine nature reserve known for beautiful reefs, waterfalls and lush green forest inhabited by deer, wild ox, boar and macaque monkeys. Here, you’ll find the barefoot luxury Amanwana Resort. This opulent camp has 20 luxurious tented rooms set either on the beach or within the jungle and its peaceful reefs are an excellent place to learn scuba diving.

With so many luxury hotels to be found on the famous island of Bali, choosing accommodation can be tricky. Our trusted partners at Ultimate Bali have access to a range of sophisticated private villas across the island to suit every discerning traveller. Some of our favourite villas in the collection include Hartland Estate in the jungles of Ubud, Villa Vedas in the authentic surrounds of Tabanan and Villa Joglovina on the wild northern coast.

Located in the authentic, ethereal surrounds of Tabanan between rice paddies, cliffside temples and a wide black sand beach, Soori Bali is one of our favourite hotels in Bali. This area feels like the Bali of old, and the hotel is small enough to feel intimate and so well equipped that you might not want to leave. The poolside cocktails are a highlight as is the delicious cuisine, but we won’t blame you if you want to spend your entire stay hiding out in your gorgeous private pool villa.

At Viceroy Bali, private villas with heated infinity pools overlook a spectacular jungle ravine known as Valley of the Kings. Every detail of this tropical sanctuary has been meticulously designed to provide an extraordinary expression of Balinese authenticity whilst also being world-class. Viceroy won the Condé Nast Traveller accolade of #1 Resort in the World (2018). A secluded haven for romantics, adventurers, and the mindful, Viceroy Bali is the ultimate retreat.

This unique boutique hotel comprises a series of individually designed tented villas, each with private saltwater pools. The property sits on a sloping hill in the midst of the rainforest. Inspired by European settlers back in the 1800s, architect Bill Bensley designed Capella Ubud with their spirit of adventure at heart. In the surrounding area, take in the rich arts, crafts and cultural heritage of Ubud and visit temples, waterfalls and rice terraces.

Amandari is one of the most longstanding hotels in Ubud. Operated by the prestigious Aman group, the location, service levels and cuisine are second to none, while the setting is simply divine. In the surrounding area, you can visit the cultural hub of Ubud, explore the monkey forest, trek through the rainforest in search of waterfalls, go river rafting or just relax and soak up the beauty of your natural surroundings.

Como Shambhala is a legendary retreat set in the lush jungles of Ubud. This luxury hotel has some of the best wellness facilities on the island and is the perfect place to sit back, unwind and focus on relaxation. The staff’s commitment to a superior level of care that starts with your own personal assistant and the team includes a resident nutritionist, Ayurvedic doctor, and spa therapists to assist in the development of your own tailored wellness programme.

This contemporary, cool hotel is Japanese Hoshino Resorts’ first foray into Bali. With a blissful setting high in the jungles of Ubud, Hoshinoya’s selection of villas are clustered around three communal pools. The fantastic spa overlooks the rushing Pakerisan river, but it’s the collection of architectural gazebos suspended in the rainforest canopy that steals our hearts here in this UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

Set on the dramatic cliffs of Uluwatu in Bali’s deep south, Alila Villas Uluwatu is nothing short of a design-lovers dream. This area is known for its great surfing and proximity to the famous Uluwatu Temple, where legend tells that the pilgrimage of high priest Dang Hyang Nirartha came to an end. Alila Villas Uluwatu offers a selection of striking designer accommodation options with spectacular views over the Indian Ocean.