Ubud (Petulu)

Element by Marriott Bali Ubud

★★★★★

Element by Marriott Bali Ubud, opened under the Element by Westin name and since rebranded, brings a different idea to Ubud's hotel scene. Instead of a romantic villa or a backpacker guesthouse, it offers bright, modern rooms with fully equipped kitchens, aimed at travellers staying longer, families who want to prepare simple meals, and anyone who values space and practicality. The hotel sits at Jalan Raya Andong 88 in Petulu, just north of central Ubud on the road towards Tegallalang, in a greener, quieter setting than the busy streets around the palace. Petulu village is known for the white herons that roost in its trees each evening, and the surroundings feel more like countryside than town. Rooms and suites look out over the jungle and gardens, and the in-room kitchens make it easy to have breakfast on your balcony or cook after a day of temples. The outdoor pool, overlooked by the Andong Pool Bar, is a good place to cool off, and dining includes Andong Teras for all-day farm-to-table meals, Umah Pizza by the pool for casual Italian, and the Elevate Rooftop Bar for drinks with views over the treetops. In keeping with the Element brand, bicycles are complimentary, which is a good way to explore the lanes and rice fields of the area at a gentle pace. The location is a trade-off: you are a short drive rather than a stroll from the Monkey Forest and the main streets, but you are closer to Tegallalang, Tirta Empul, Gunung Kawi and the road to Kintamani, which helps with early starts for the Batur sunrise trek.

Choosing a room: standard rooms with kitchens suit couples; suites give families more space and separate areas. Ask for higher floors or jungle-facing rooms for the best views. If you are staying a week or more, the kitchen and laundry-friendly layout make this one of the most practical bases in Ubud.

Who it suits: families, longer-stay travellers and remote workers, and couples who prefer modern comfort to traditional design. It is less suited to travellers who want to walk everywhere in central Ubud or who are looking for a romantic jungle-villa experience; for those, Alaya in the centre or Mandapa in the river valley fit better.

Practical notes: central Ubud is a short taxi or scooter ride away, and ride-hailing works in the area, though some local transport rules limit pickups in parts of Ubud. The airport is about forty kilometres away, so allow around an hour and a half or more by car. The airport shuttle is charged and must be reserved. Compared with Puri Garden in Pengosekan, this is a step up in comfort and space; compared with Alaya, it trades town-centre convenience for quiet and kitchens.