Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

The latest addition to the Ritz-Carlton Reserve collection of properties (to which Puerto Rico’s Dorado Beach and Thailand’s Phulay Bay also belong), Mandapa is a great option for families who would like to stay in Ubud and appreciate a full-service resort and a great kids club.

• The pool villas, which have separate living rooms, various outdoor seating areas and oversized private pools
• The 24-hour patih, or butler, service, carried out by a staff of lovely, thoughtful locals
• The excellent cuisine from each restaurant and in-room dining, and particularly at Kubu, the resort’s signature restaurant that sits on the Ayung River

The entrance to Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property on the outskirts of Ubud, is forgettable: after driving for nearly two hours north from Denpasar, Bali’s capital, the car suddenly turns left and navigates down a narrow alleyway flanked on both sides by high stone walls. After driving through a checkpoint and down a steep hill, you arrive at a courtyard shaded by towering trees and are greeted by a slew of gracious staff members and given a traditional Balinese bracelet that is believed to offer protection. Look up and you’ll see why the stunning property was placed here, on the edge of a cliff that leads down to the Ayung River and facing another cliff on the rushing water’s other side.

Mandapa boasts 35 suites and 25 pool villas, the latter being the far superior rooms and absolutely worth the additional rate. Villas differ only in their number of bedrooms (between one and three) and with their views. All have Balinese gardens, private pools, separate living rooms and very spacious bedrooms and bathrooms. The Mandapa Three-Bedroom Pool Villa also boasts a steam room and sauna as well as a nearly 2,000-square-foot pool. Décor feels both contemporary as well as traditionally Balinese, with sleek lines, sexy dim lighting, hand-woven textiles and vibrantly colored murals depicting rainforest scenes. While the best rooms are river-fronting as they provide great views and an open sense of space, guests should be aware that the river is typically busy with whitewater rafting excursions, and excited shouting can be heard from the passengers.

The cuisine on property is excellent all around, from the breakfast, which can (and should) be taken in-villa beside the private pool, to the picnic lunches provided around the property and on excursions and dinners at Kubu, the property’s signature riverside restaurant that features highly refined continental offerings like Jerusalem artichoke with black radish and kaffir lime jus. Couples should request to dine in one of the romantic private cocoons.

The spa, with eight treatment rooms (half of which are outfitted for couples), also faces the river and there is a yoga studio, lap pool, gym and sauna. There is an impressive kids club with a two-story slide, animals, Indonesian shadow puppets, instruments and masks.

Families looking for a great kids club; Couples or friends