Alila Ubud Review: Bali Jungle Resort Above the Ayung River Valley (2026)

A February 2026 stay at Alila Ubud, a jungle resort above the Ayung River Valley in Bali. I cover the Deluxe room, villas, infinity pool, spa, dinner and breakfast, and how to book with Hyatt Prive perks.

Alila Ubud Infinity with Sun loungers and Jungle Backdrop on a misty morning in Bali

Stayed in February 2026 · Last updated September 2026

This is my Alila Ubud review after a stay in February 2026. I filmed the whole visit, so you can also watch the full tour on YouTube.

The resort opened in 1996 and has 74 keys, split into 56 rooms and 18 villas. It's in Payangan, about 20 minutes north of central Ubud and roughly 75 minutes from the airport.

Arrival and check-in at Alila Ubud

Cobbled driveway at Alila Ubud in Bali lined with a stone wall, tall trees and thatched-roof buildings — The driveway to the reception pavilion at Alila Ubud, lined with stone walls and thatched roofs

Check-in took place in an open-air reception pavilion at the end of the driveway, where I was handed a welcome drink and some bread sticks while everything was sorted. Both were lovely.

Open-air thatched reception pavilion at Alila Ubud with stone steps, large trees and a circular cobbled forecourt — The open-air reception pavilion at Alila Ubud, where check-in takes place

I used my World of Hyatt Discoverist status to get a 1pm late checkout as well as a room upgrade, which was a nice bonus.

Reception seating area at Alila Ubud with cushioned sofas, carved wooden coffee tables and a rustic timber counter — A seating area at Alila Ubud Reception, furnished in rustic wood.

Standard check-in is at 3pm and checkout is at 12pm (noon). For the transfer from the airport, which takes roughly 75 minutes, you can book a car through the hotel or use Grab for a reliable ride.

Deluxe room at Alila Ubud

Exterior of a Deluxe room building at Alila Ubud with a river-stone wall base and tropical trees — The Deluxe room building at Alila Ubud, with a river-stone wall and tropical planting.

My Deluxe room was on the ground floor with its own terrace. Natural materials, traditional details and windows that open onto the courtyard made it feel calm and cohesive. There was a fruit bowl waiting for me, and pastries turned up at turndown.

Double bed with white linen against a wood-panelled wall in the Deluxe room at Alila Ubud, with a stone wall visible through the window — The Deluxe room bed at Alila Ubud: firm but comfortable.

The bed was on the firm side but comfortable, the air con was quiet and there was a small TV in the corner. Only one European socket sat by the bed, and the rest were over by the desk.

Freestanding white bathtub in the open-air bathroom of the Deluxe room at Alila Ubud, beside a river-stone wall and timber doors — The open-air bathroom in the Deluxe room at Alila Ubud, with an outdoor bathtub.

The bathroom was quite unique. The shower and bathtub are outdoors in an open-air courtyard. The Superior rooms sit right above that courtyard, but there are heavy blinds you can pull down for privacy.

Hand holding a phone showing a Wi-Fi speed test at Alila Ubud, with a macaque monkey in the jungle behind — Wi-Fi speed test at Alila Ubud: 80.6 Mbps down and 80.7 Mbps up, with a macaque in the background.

Wi-Fi is free with no password, and it was quick: 80.6 Mbps down and 80.7 Mbps up in my test, against 20.7 Mbps down at the Westin Ubud.

Other Alila Ubud room categories

Two sun loungers beside a small pool in front of a river-stone wall and thatched roof of Pool Villa at Alila Ubud — Pool Villa Poolside loungers in front of a stone wall and thatched roof at Alila Ubud.

Alila Ubud has 56 rooms and 18 villas, and the choice comes down to how much privacy and how much view you want.

Forest Edge and Valley View Villas. These are the ones to book for the best jungle views. If the whole point of your stay is waking up to the canopy and the valley, this is where I'd look first.

Thatched roof and wooden deck with a railing above dense jungle of Valley View Villa at Alila Ubud — A thatched Valley View villa and wooden deck above the jungle at Alila Ubud.

Forest View Villa terrace at Alila Ubud with a wooden dining table, ceiling fan and railing overlooking the jungle valley — Forest View Villa terrace with a dining table and valley views at Alila Ubud.

Pool Villa. This is the newest accommodation, and it comes with a private pool. It's the pick for couples who want more seclusion and don't want to share the pool with anyone.

Outdoor stone bathtub with folded grey towels beside lush jungle plants of Pool Villa at Alila Ubud — An outdoor bathtub surrounded by jungle plants of Pool Villa at Alila Ubud.

Two-Bedroom Villa. It has the views and the private pool, plus extra space, so it works well for a group of friends or a family travelling together.

View between two dark stone pillars over sun loungers, a wooden deck and a private pool toward the jungle of 2 Bedroom Pool Villa at Alila Ubud — Sun loungers and a private pool with jungle views of 2 Bedroom Pool Villa at Alila Ubud.

All the villas have a private pool, valley views, or both. I only looked around them rather than staying, but next time I'd choose a villa for those views. Keep in mind the steps: with a resort built into a hillside, the further you are from reception, the more stairs you'll climb.

Alila Ubud infinity pool

The Alila Ubud infinity pool is a short walk from reception, down two flights of stairs and past the Plantation restaurant, right at the edge of the Ayung River Valley. It's open from 7am to 8pm and the water was a comfortable 30°C. It gets surprisingly deep halfway across, but there's a ledge at the side if you'd rather stand and look at the view.

Turquoise infinity pool at Alila Ubud with white parasols, sun loungers and thatched resort buildings behind — The Alila Ubud infinity pool, with sun loungers on the lawn and the resort behind.

You'll find sun loungers around the pool and on the lawn below, and food and drinks can be brought to your sunbed.

Poolside restaurant at Alila Ubud with wooden tables under a stone-pillared pavilion beside a turquoise pool — The Cabana Kitchen next to the infinity pool at Alila Ubud.

Plate of colourful Balinese sweet snacks in purple, green and white on a banana leaf with a fork on a wooden table — Balinese sweet snacks served at Alila Ubud.

The Cabana Kitchen is the poolside restaurant and bar, and there's a free afternoon tea with Balinese snacks as well as tea or coffee every day. In the evenings, the space is used for a more casual dinner spot with drinks and live music on some days.

Spa Alila and gym

Open-air treatment pavilion at Spa Alila with two massage beds and a stone bath overlooking greenery — A treatment pavilion at Spa Alila, open to the garden.

Spa Alila has a big focus on wellness and offers both traditional and modern treatments. There are separate treatment rooms for couples and for solo guests, all with plenty of natural daylight and a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.

Thatched spa buildings around a paved courtyard with tropical plants and a small seating area at Spa Alila — The courtyard at Spa Alila, with treatment rooms on either side.

Entrance to Spa Alila with a grey sign, stone steps, a thatched roof and tropical plants — The entrance to Spa Alila in the middle of the resort.

The spa is in the middle of the resort, between the room areas and the reception pavilion. If you book the Hyatt Prive rate, you can enjoy a 60-minute massage for two here.

Gym at Alila Ubud with a weight rack, cable machine, exercise bikes, treadmill and suspension trainer straps — The small 24/7 gym at Alila Ubud, with weights, bikes and a treadmill.

The 24/7 gym at Alila Ubud is below the spa courtyard, past the boutique. It's small with limited equipment, so it's fine for a quick workout but not much more. Daily morning yoga by the pool is also an option.

Alila Ubud hotel grounds

Grass lawn with a path of dark stepping stones leading toward bamboo and tropical plants at Alila Ubud — A stepping-stone path across the lawn at Alila Ubud.

Around Alila Ubud, the stone, wood and thatch blend into the jungle, and there are plenty of hidden corners to explore. One of them is the Bale Bengong, on the lowest level down a path from the pool. You can book a private dinner or a spa treatment there, right next to the hotel shrine.

Grassy slope with stone stepping slabs and low stone markers surrounded by jungle at Alila Ubud leading to Bale Benong — One of the garden paths winding through the Alila Ubud grounds leading down to Bale Bengong.

Bale Bengong Thatched wooden pavilion with a table and chairs on a paved terrace surrounded by jungle at Alila Ubud — Bale Bengong, A thatched bale set in the jungle at Alila Ubud.

Then there's the wildlife. Macaques wander through at mealtimes, so keep your doors shut and your food out of sight. You'll also see frogs, lizards, birds and butterflies, and hear the cicadas all day. I visited in the rainy season, when heavy showers tend to roll in late in the afternoon, which suits the jungle setting.

Green lawn with a stone path, low hedges and a small shrine statue at the far end, with stone steps on the left at Alila Ubud — A landscaped lawn and shrine area in the Alila Ubud grounds.

Be aware there are no lifts and, depending on your room, a lot of steps. That could be tough with limited mobility, although it's normal for the more natural resorts around here.

Dinner at Plantation

Lamp-lit stone pathway at night beside a wall, palm trees and resort buildings at Alila Ubud — A lamp-lit path at Alila Ubud at night.

I went down to Plantation, the main restaurant, in heavy rain with an umbrella from my room.

Balinese Royal Rijsttafel at Alila Ubud: a tray of small bowls of local dishes and a satay skewer, lit by a candle — The Royal Rijsttafel tasting menu at Plantation, Alila Ubud, served in small bowls to share.

I ordered the Royal Rijsttafel, a Balinese tasting menu that starts with a soup of local ingredients and continues with eight dishes to share.

Banana fritters with a scoop of ice cream and caramel drizzle on a grey plate at Plantation restaurant — Banana fritters with ice cream for dessert at Plantation, Alila Ubud.

The saté chicken was my highlight, and the banana fritters for dessert were just as good.

Bowl of soup with prawns and vegetables on a woven mat at Plantation restaurant, Alila Ubud — The soup that starts the Royal Rijsttafel at Plantation.

The staff explained every dish and topped up the ones I was clearly enjoying.

You can check the Plantation main menu (PDF) before you go.

Alila Ubud breakfast at Plantation

Plantation restaurant at Alila Ubud, an open-sided timber pavilion with tables and chairs overlooking the jungle — Plantation restaurant at Alila Ubud, where breakfast and dinner are served.

Outdoor terrace tables and chairs at Plantation restaurant beside a stone wall with jungle views at Alila Ubud — The Plantation terrace at Alila Ubud: a good spot for breakfast views.

Breakfast at Alila Ubud is served at Plantation from 7am to 11am, and it felt like a different place in daylight, with the jungle canopy all around. If you can, grab a table at the side or out on the terrace for the best views.

Breakfast buffet station at Plantation with a clay pot, crates of cage free eggs, stacked plates and a chalkboard sign — A breakfast station at Plantation, Alila Ubud, with a clay pot and cage free eggs.

Breakfast table at Plantation with eggs, a green juice, a red juice, coffee and wheatgrass in front of a jungle view — Breakfast at Plantation, Alila Ubud: eggs, fresh juices and coffee with a jungle view.

It was mostly à la carte, with daily changing egg and local dishes plus a few buffet options, and the wellness focus showed in the fresh ingredients, smoothies, fruit and vegetables.

Plate of Ranchero scrambled eggs with a tomato salsa and small side dishes at Plantation restaurant, Alila Ubud — Ranchero scrambled eggs with tomato salsa and sides from the à la carte breakfast at Plantation.

The staff remembered my spice preference from dinner and offered the same at breakfast, which was a nice touch.

How to book Alila Ubud with Hyatt Prive

Alila Ubud is part of World of Hyatt, so you can earn and use points here. If you have Globalist status, book directly through Hyatt's website or app.

Everyone else should look at Hyatt Prive, a special rate the hotel offers that's only available through a travel agent. It's usually the flexible rate rather than the member rate, but on stays of two nights or more it comes with plenty of extras:

A $50 hotel credit for the food outlets, or a Spa Signature Experience: a 60-minute massage for two at Spa Alila
Daily breakfast for two
A room upgrade, if available, confirmed shortly after booking rather than at check-in
A welcome amenity
Early check-in, if available, which you can request from as early as 9am
Your World of Hyatt benefits, points and nights

My go-to partner for these rates is QX Travel, an established agent that has been part of Hyatt Prive for many years. You can look at rates in their online booking tool without sending a request first. If you're travelling with children, you'll need to get in touch with them directly.

You can check Alila Ubud rates with QX Travel.

Who Alila Ubud is for

Alila Ubud suits couples and anyone after a quiet, romantic base in the jungle, especially if the pool and attentive service are your priorities. The staff remembered my name every time they saw me.

It's less suited to anyone with limited mobility because of the stairs, or to anyone who wants a serious gym or to be in the middle of Ubud. Macaques and geckos are part of the deal too. Plenty of people pair a jungle stay here with a beach stay, such as the Grand Hyatt Bali in Nusa Dua.

Alila Ubud at a glance

Location: Desa Melinggih Kelod, Payangan, Gianyar, Bali, about 20 minutes north of central Ubud
Airport: about 75 minutes from Bali (Denpasar) airport
Opened: 1996
Size: 74 keys, made up of 56 rooms and 18 villas
Brand: Alila Hotels, part of World of Hyatt
Check-in and checkout: 3pm and 12pm (noon)
Infinity pool: open daily 7am to 8pm
Breakfast at Plantation: 7am to 11am
Gym: open 24/7, but small
Wi-Fi: free, no password
Accessibility: no lifts and many steps
My room: Deluxe room, February 2026

Alila Ubud FAQ

Where is Alila Ubud?

Alila Ubud is in Payangan, Gianyar, about 20 minutes north of central Ubud and roughly 75 minutes from Bali's airport.

When did Alila Ubud open?

Alila Ubud opened in 1996.

How many rooms does Alila Ubud have?

Alila Ubud has 74 accommodations: 56 rooms and 18 villas.

What are the check-in and checkout times at Alila Ubud?

Standard check-in is at 3pm and checkout is at 12pm (noon). With a Hyatt Prive booking, early check-in can be requested from as early as 9am, subject to availability.

How do I get from the airport to Alila Ubud?

The drive takes roughly 75 minutes. You can book a transfer through the hotel or use Grab for a reliable ride.

Does Alila Ubud have a gym?

Yes. The gym is open 24/7, but it's small with limited equipment. Daily morning yoga by the pool is also available.

What time is breakfast at Alila Ubud?

Breakfast is served at Plantation from 7am to 11am. It's mostly à la carte with daily changing egg and local dishes, plus some buffet options. A Hyatt Prive booking of two nights or more includes daily breakfast for two.

Is Alila Ubud all inclusive?

No. Food and drinks are paid for separately unless your rate includes them, as the Hyatt Prive rate does with daily breakfast for two.