Capella Ubud, Bali

Character and identity

Capella Ubud is a 23-tent encampment tucked into the steep Keliki Valley jungle, hidden so completely that only the dark pitched roofs hint at its presence from above. This is Bill Bensley at full theatrical tilt: an immersive recreation of the early 19th-century spice-trade era, with brass monkey statues in the foliage and curios drawn from Dutch auctions and Balinese antique shops. Two restaurants anchor the dining, Api Jiwa for Japanese robatayaki tasting menus and Mads Lange for chef Matthew McCool's local, sustainable bistro plates. There's a tented spa, a gym, and a cistern-styled pool. Service comes from a largely local team who feel genuinely invested.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What you're buying here is Bensley's storytelling, executed at a level of detail almost nowhere else in Bali pulls off, paired with a remote valley setting and a small enough room count to feel genuinely private. The price tag is steep, so commit fully: book a themed tent that matches your fantasy (the Cartographer's or the Princess), build in a Sunday jazz brunch, and stay at least three nights to justify the journey in.