THE GLOBAL RETREAT COMPANY
Amori Villas
UBUD, BALI
Intimate retreat ideal for yoga and wellness getaways in a peaceful river valley near Ubud
IN A NUTSHELL
Based on the picturesque and peaceful Petanu River valley, and just 10 minutes from bustling Ubud, Amori Villas is a seven-villa, stylish property ideal for wellness, yoga, meditation and healing retreats in a lush, tropical landscape. Since opening in 2009, the owners Rick and Peta Dunn have carved out a reputation for providing a quality venue with excellent food and highly personal service from butlers, chefs and spa therapists. Accommodation is in graceful suites, villas and a treehouse, many with characterful indoor-outdoor bathrooms - one even has a fishpond. You can relax in the infinity pool with extensive valley views, practise yoga in a bamboo shala with a grass roof and experience exquisite Balinese health and beauty treatments.
VENUE DETAILS
INDOOR RETREAT SPACES
As well as two open air pavilions available for yoga, meditation, sound healing, breathwork and workshops, there's an open air, bamboo yoga shala which looks down to the river. All mats, blocks, bolsters, straps and cushions are provided. There are also four purpose-built spa treatment rooms, each with a shower cubicle. Treatments include a Mandi Lulur exfoliation and flower petal bath.
OUTDOOR RETREAT SPACES
The infinity pool juts out into the river valley, offering magnificent views, while the Jacuzzi can be turned into an ice bath. The pool deck and terrace lawns are also comfortable, serene areas where retreat sessions can be held.
SLEEPING
There are seven suites and villas, all with en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. The Poolside Suite has twin king beds, a small valley-viewing balcony and a large bath and Jacuzzi, while the Valleyview Suite has a king-size bed with an indoor-outdoor bathroom with a sunken bath. The Garden Villa has its own garden courtyard with a terrace and the Honeymoon Suite offers a king-size four-poster bed, a walk-in dressing room and an indoor-outdoor bathroom. Treehouse is a one-bedroomed villa which can sleep up to four single guests, while Kingfisher Villa and Heaven Spring Villa are traditional 100-year-old Javanese gledags (wooden houses), each sleeping up to four people. Extra bedrooms are available at a neighbouring 18-room hotel.
LIVING
Guests can relax in the large lounge pavilion and open air restaurant, as well as around the pool deck and in the barbecue area. Lounge in the infinity pool and look out over the valley, people watch in the main lobby, cosy up by the pool with a book or relax in the gardens to the sound of birds singing and insects buzzing. You're also welcome to learn from chefs in the open kitchen adjoining the restaurant. The whole venue has a friendly, relaxed vibe.
RETREAT ACTIVITIES
As well as enjoying a guided village walk, you can take part in a cooking class, which includes a morning visit to the market for produce. There's also a mala bead-making workshop or you might choose to experience the Gamelan musicians and Balinese dancers for your closing dinner. Excursions include trips to temples, terraced rice paddies, waterfalls, Bali springs, a monkey forest, beaches and shops. You can also visit a Balinese healer, have an ancient stone therapy session, go white water rafting, do a Kintamani downhill guided bicycle ride or climb Mount Batur volcano at sunrise.
SUSTENANCE
Three staff chefs have an open kitchen design and provide buffet, family style and/or a la carte meals in an easy-going, relaxed atmosphere. Hosts work closely with retreat leaders to plan the menus and cater for most diets, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. Most meals are taken at long tables in the open-air restaurant overlooking the pool and river valley. A barbecue dinner can be enjoyed on the terrace lawns and pool deck.
SUSTAINABILITY
Amori Villas was created on a piece of unused land. The yoga shala is made from bamboo and has a grass roof, while the floor is made from recycled old teak. Hundreds of trees, including fruit-bearing coconuts, bananas, mango and guava, were planted and a rubbish collection and recycling were introduced. The property is reducing its use of single use plastic water bottles.
RAIL
No rail service. Personal pick-up service provided.
LOCATION
Banjar Dukuh
Pejeng Kawan
Gianyar
Bali
80552
Indonesia
AIRPORT
Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar