Alila Ubud: Kerry Hill hillside jungle sanctuary overlooking the Ayung River valley with world-famous emerald pool and Plantation Restaurant

Perched high on the secluded jungle ridge of Payangan overlooking the lush rainforest canopy and winding sacred waters of the Ayung River valley in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, Alila Ubud opened in 1996 as an architectural icon of tropical modernism. Designed by legendary Australian architect Kerry Hill and operating as a proud member of Design Hotels, the 68-room sanctuary is world-famous for its dramatic 25-metre emerald-green infinity swimming pool (regularly acclaimed as one of the most stunning swimming pools in the world), cantilevered over the ravine like a mirror to the jungle. Featuring the open-air thatched dining pavilion Plantation Restaurant, the cliffside Cabana lounge, the holistic Spa Alila, and daily jungle nature walks, Alila Ubud is Bali’s premier rainforest haven.

Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished Balinese jungle serenity: personal hosts greet guests beneath soaring alang-alang thatched roofs in the open-air lobby with chilled ginger-lemongrass infusions and fresh tropical rambutan. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Ubud rainforest, cultural, and spiritual pursuits: taking guided morning treks through neighboring rice terraces and Ayung River bamboo groves, white-water rafting down the Ayung River (departs near property), visiting the sacred temples and artisan workshops of central Ubud (15 minutes away via hotel shuttle), swimming in the world-famous emerald pool gazing at playful wild monkeys in the canopy, indulging in botanical healing at Spa Alila, and reserving dinner at Plantation Restaurant.

Jungle living balances rainforest exploration with sublime Balinese wellness: Spa Alila features open-air treatment bales nestled into the hillside, steam rooms, and therapies utilizing local Balinese coffee, coconut, and herbal scrubs. Dining is extraordinary: refined farm-to-table Balinese and French gastronomy at Plantation Restaurant (curated by master chefs using ingredients from local organic farms), craft tropical cocktails and wood-fired pizzas at the Pool Bar and Cabana, and private romantic candlelit dinners on the plantation terrace.

Accommodations comprise 68 rooms and standalone private pool villas perched on stilts over the jungle ravine ranging from 35 to 125 square metres. Each residence features Kerry Hill’s signature terrazzo and dark timber design, private balconies framing the Ayung River valley, plush king beds, and open-air bathrooms with sunken terrazzo bathtubs.

Design purists, nature lovers, and luxury travelers seeking Kerry Hill architecture, the world-famous emerald infinity pool, and Ayung River jungle serenity in Bali should book Alila Ubud without hesitation. Travelers seeking noisy tourist beach resorts should look elsewhere. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.8 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 3,200 reviews and a 4.7 out of 5 on Google across 3,600 reviews.