Has anybody rented or know anything about Villa Vajra outside of Ubud? We are debating between it Hanging Gardens, Pita Maha and Kupu Kupu Barong. Since there are six of us, it seems like a villa might be the way to go, but we would probably be limiting ourselves to all 5 nights in Bali in Ubud as opposed to 3 nights in Ubud and 2 near a beach (am thinking either Pansea Puri Jimbaran or Alila Manggis).

When are you going. We have rented the Villa Vajra from may 25 to June 1 2006 so can let you know what it's like. Other Ubud hotels if you want to stay on Sayan ridge where the Kupa Kupa Barong is located I might go up a notch and stay at Four seasons, ritz or amen they aren't that much more expensive and have better amenities. try bali-travelnet.com has best prices. This is a beautiful area the hotels are high on a hill with fabulous views looking out of rice paddies to the Ayang river really magical. Haven't stayed at any of the other hotels your suggesting but know the areas and they are fine.

We're going to be there in August. What other villas did you consider and are you goin gto be in Ubud for your entire stay or are you going elsewhere? Thanks.

We're getting excited we leave the 19th. I used Elite Havens as the agent for the villa and choose it because we are only two couples. It's about 5-10 minutes from Ubud and we have rented a car and driver for our stay there. It just looked the nicest of the small villas we saw. We have been to bali for the last 4 years but have always stayed in hotels before and are doing so again for part of this trip going to the Matahari in the northwest, and Tandjung Sari in Sanur for the end of our trip. We always stay in some big
Nusa Dua hotel like the Hyatt for a couple of days of R and R after the long flight to bali Even if you don't stay at the 4 seasons of Aman do eat lunch of dinner there the views are so beautiful. Will let you know about our experience. August is a great time
but hotels are higher. Oh one thing we learned your get the best hotels rates by using local travel agents not going directly to the hotels they discount to the travel agents so everyone gets a cut and you get a very good deal.

We just got back from the bali trip and the stay at the Villa Varjra was wonderful. the villa is better than the pictures because it has a continuous breeze that makes lounging in the open living room wonderful and having massages on hte massage deck truly decadent. You will need a car and driver. The staff are thoughtful and unobtrusive, cheif excellent but if you don't like hot spicey food tell him. Be sure to "shop Ubud," it has some wonderful shops from painting textiles silks etc. We looked at rooms at the Amen and the Villa was much nicer. Our driver said that the Kupu Kupu had closed and been sold that the new owner was planning to open again soon don't know if this is correct info or not the Pita maha is beautiful but the villa experience is very different and we would do it again in a minute having stayed in some of the better hotels. OHH skip the Mozaic restaurant that is touted as one of the best in the world we went and thought it was unbelievably pretentious and half the food was not edible and we like to eat good food a lot having lived in Sanfranciso, new york etc.

gechaffee, thanks for your comments on Villa Vajra. We had decided to stay there when the owners changed their minds about allowing a 5 night rental - it had to be 7. We are now booked at Villa Melati, which is on the ridge apparently right next to Amandari. It looks lovely - at least from the photos. Just out of curiosity, from the Villa Vajra website it was hard to tell whether or not the pool got any sun because of all the trees. Did it?

ccc,
Just so others know KKB is open, we stayed there in March.

Also I would certainly recommend Mozaic. I don't think it's one of the best in the world but it's certainly very sophisticated food and we really enjoyed it. We live in the Bay Area and are very keen on our food...loved French laundry on serveral visits.

I agree the shopping in Ubud is fun some interesting silver and household places. The Luxe guide is fun if you are a keen shopper.