Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Ok, where do I even start…this place is hands down the best hotel we’ve EVER stayed in, and nothing else comes even close. GM Desy’s team made sure everything was absolutely perfect for my partner’s and my 15 year wedding anniversary. We used Bonvoy points to pay for our “stay 5 pay 4 nights” experience which is sensational value for what we received from the level of hospitality by our Patih Dewa, breakfast superstar Nukih, yoga instructor Nankita, f&B mgr Jaron, Kubu waiter Joni - and so many more across the property. We loved our corner suite with resort views for the first 4 nights, and we’re delighted to received a complimentary upgrade to the Pool Villa right by the Ayung river for our final night to commemorate our anniversary. Breakfast is on a another level when it comes to views, ambience, food quality and service, the pool area amazing, the jacuzzi relaxing, the disconnect to reconnect programme offers a lot of variety, and the photo session was also wonderful, whereas the Kubu private cocoon experience is simply unrivalled. We want to thank Desy and the entire team, especially our above and beyond personable Patih Dewa for an unforgettable stay at Mandapa. We hope to be back soon, this place is setting the bar very high, truly unique and amazing. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

As this is going to be long, I will simply start off by saying that we are well-traveled and have stayed in countless luxury properties across the world, but nothing could have prepared us for the level of service, and our overall experience at Mandapa. Every single staff member went above and beyond for every member of our family. It was as though our every need was anticipated before we even had the thought ourselves, all with a level of sincerity and kindness that was both touching and humbling. We stayed here in April with our two small children and Mother as a little family vacation. We booked the two-bedroom villa and were upgraded to the three-bedroom villa which was a lovely surprise for which we were very grateful. We arrived late at night to buggies ready to take us to our villa, which was very much appreciated given the two sleepy cranky kids we had with us. Our patih Made was a star. He accommodated every crazy request we had, anticipated any needs we'd have, always with a smile and always extremely fast to respond and get things done, without Made this trip would have been amazing, but with Made, the trip was perfect. We did the VW Tour and our tour guide Boy was also amazing, he was enthusiastic, and understanding of our situation of traveling with two small kids, adapting the tour to their pace and physical abilities, he even carried our 3 year old son for us when the treks got a bit long, and as parents there's not much that can mean more than simple acts like this. I went to the spa with my mother and it was so nice that I immediately booked a time to return with my husband the next evening, I would say the vibe in the evening was even nicer since there aren't rafters then and you can just relax to the sounds of the Ayung while receiving a treatment. The staff here was also extremely kind, and the massages were tailored to each of our preferences, spoiling each and every one of us. We had an in-villa barbecue with a traditional Balinese dance, and we were completely awestruck by how much effort was put in, the table was beautifully set, only for it to rain shortly after, which was a shame, but it didn't affect the vibe or the music and lovely dances and the food still tasted fantastic! The Kids Club was also above and beyond our expectations. We came here a few times, but never left our kids alone. The kids club had various organised activities available that our children really enjoyed. Our two children have not stopped talking about the Kid's Club and Mandapa since returning home! The staff also did a great job balancing when there were many kids, making sure each was being attended to and kept busy. Even when some children were behaving in not-so-flattering ways (kicking the staff from behind repeatedly, for one) they were always extremely patient and pedagogical in their approach and responses. We definitely wouldn't have an issue dropping off our kids here for supervision while we went off for an activity, since the staff is fantastic, but our hesitation would be the behaviour of other children, though this is not within the control of the resort, so we would probably opt for a babysitting option on future visits. We also signed up for a cooking lesson which was a lot of fun and we learned a lot! The sous-chef who led the lesson, was very lively, and we had great banter but he was also a great teacher, explaining to us all the uses of every mixture and answering all of our questions thoroughly. He was also extremely kind and understanding when our two children decided they got bored, he quickly set up a pizza making station for them to keep them happy. This leads me to the food on the property, we dined at Kubu, which was a great iteration of modern local cuisine. We love the concept of maximising the use of nearby ingredients, and there is so much potential here with an incredibly passionate Chef that is constantly looking for new ways to showcase local agriculture, they even have a test kitchen! The dishes were innovative and highlighted the flavours of seasonal produce. We can't wait to see their progress when we return. Sawah Terrace was amazing. We ordered way too much food, but do not regret it one bit. Every single dish was bursting with flavour and freshness. The mie and nasi goreng were both bursting with wok hei, however, one would be remiss to not try to duck on the menu which was simply divine. So to sum it all up, we came to Mandapa expecting it to be another stop on a list of places around the world, another destination off the bucket list, instead, what we have found here is quite simply a little paradise that we will be constantly returning to. Surrounded by the sounds of the river, the local flora and fauna, being pampered by meticulous, kind and caring staff, gorging on delicious, fresh food, it's hard to think of a better place to travel to.

Amazing stay ! Just book and stay here. We did 5 nights in points and we were treated like VIPs. Everyone is super friendly and helpful and genuinely kind. The butler service is great and they are super attentive even when not at the resort. Take advantage of all the complimentary activities the hotel has to offer - I did 2 a day and they were awesome. The gym is brand new and modern. They have someone cleaning it every hour! The spa is amazing - we had some wonderful treatments and the sauna and steam room are a nice added touch. We loved our stay here - the basic room is huge and luxurious- you could spend all day hanging out in the room.

Mandapa is what you would expect from a 5 star hotel. The grounds are spotless. The room is large and luxurious. The service however compared to the other 3 hotels we stayed at on this trip was impersonal and standard. If we did had nothing else to compare it to however it probably would have been excellent. The breakfast buffet is massive and offers almost anything you could want. The sashimi and mango turmeric smoothie were very delicious. The service at the pool is also nice since they provide pool amenities which include a bowl of fruit and coconut water. Also the best part of our stay here was the Volkswagen tour we took with Pardika. We were able to check off a lot of things off our Ubud bucket list and even stopped at a local wood carving store to buy elephant statues for my mom which was her special request. He was also super knowledgeable and kind. It was like driving around with a friend. In comparison to the other hotels on our trip it was not the best one but it did look to have a lot of kid-friendly amenities so we would return for that when coming back with the whole family.

I spent a few days with my family at this hotel to celebrate my birthday, and all I can say is that this place is an absolute paradise. Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, it offers a peaceful and calming atmosphere like no other. The service is truly exceptional, with the entire staff being warm and devoted to making you feel special and ensuring your stay is unforgettable. Every service offered by the hotel is outstanding. I also must mention that the breakfast is in a league of its own! We are already dreaming of our next visit. Thank you so much for this experience!