Between the ringing of our alarm clocks each morning and the constant buzzing of our phones (those email notifications!), don’t you feel that there are very few moments that we have to ourselves? With an action packed daily routine, we have to consciously carve out time for rest and relaxation.
After some search, I have found the ideal way to do so is a retreat to find your Zen at The Purist Villas in Ubud!
Finding Zen at The Purist Villas in Ubud
Upon entering this little tropical hideaway perched atop a river in Ubud, the first item on my list of to-do’s was ‘nothing’. They say that doing absolutely nothing is an art and The Purist Villas was my practice studio to unplug, unwind and recharge in the beautiful rainforest setting.
An overwhelming sense of calm surrounds you as you walk through the stone-paved walkways, finally revealing a view filled with lush greens as far as the eye can see. The staff lead us to our river front villa shrouded amidst lush bamboo stalks and palms.
Each villa at The Purist Villas is beautifully designed and built with locally sourced materials. Our river front villa had a king-size four poster bed with drapes and a small sit out area overlooking the rainforest. The bathroom with pebble flooring had a free-standing stone bath, a shower area and a goldfish pond where you can feed the fish! Now tell me, where would you find a bathroom that creates a spa like feeling? Definitely not in a hotel!
Sometimes, staying at home is the best activity!
The Purist Villas are bestowed with natural beauty and I was so awestruck by the design that it was easy to surrender myself and adapt to the rhythms of relaxation. The open plan layout of the villas is a hit because you have the infinity pool and lush forest views when you swing open the door. The tall bamboo trees seem to bring about a level of privacy you just can’t get from a walled fence.
Imagine waking up to the sounds of crickets, the flowing river below and butterflies that lounge on the pretty flowers by the pool. These unexpected guests will entice you to stay home and make the most of this serene ambience. And you’re not stranded: The Purist Villas also have a shuttle service to Ubud’s city center, just in case.
We spent our mornings doing laps in the gorgeous infinity pool, playing with butterflies and soaking the sun on the comfortable loungers. While I did try to get online to check any urgent mails, but the wi-fi had subtly speed forced me to stay away from all types of modern day distractions. I had no complaints switching off!
Gastronomic delights
Balisimo By the Purist, their poolside restaurant offers unique fusion food prepared using the finest selection of locally sourced ingredients. Their breakfast includes a selection of breads, fruit juices, eggs made to order, yogurt, fresh fruits and great coffee. The chef also arranged a romantic dinner, a 3-course meal with appetizers, mains and dessert, all of which was worth a praise.
A little bit of pampering!
We loved The Purist Signature Couple’s Therapy that combines the use of Balinese strokes with therapeutic oils, perfect to soothe your senses. Candlelit treatment rooms or an open-air massage pavilion, rose petal tubs to dip your feet and traditional green tea, just what you need after a long day trekking Ubud’s rice terraces. The Purist Villas reflect balance, purity of spirit and harmony and their spa is no exception.
A haven of peace and highly attentive service
There’s something about escaping into nature where even the calming noise of the gecko and the sounds of crickets seemed better than silence. At The Purist Villas, you have the pool and beautiful surroundings to brag about, but did we mention you also have a butler to take care of all your whims and fancies?
The staff here are very friendly and highly attentive to ensure you have the most memorable stay. There are no fixed breakfast timings here, unlike hotels. So, if you’re sleeping till late afternoon, the staff will pleasingly prepare breakfast even at 1pm.
A wonderful privilege that guests enjoy at The Purist Villas is that they allow late checkout (unless they have prior bookings) at no extra cost: if you have an evening flight, don’t worry about checking out at 12 noon and getting exhausted in the tropical humid weather. You can rest and relax in your villa or better still, indulge in one of their spa therapies before you board the plane.
Honeymoon at The Purist Villas
The Purist Villas are an ideal escape for couples or a group of couples. This may not be the perfect place for toddlers because the stoned pathways are not secured and may be a little dangerous if the kids are running around without adult supervision.
But, if you’re planning your honeymoon, we can’t think of a better place to begin the first chapter of your life together. A few days into the stay and we bet that you’ll be fully infected by the relaxation bug!
And this is why we say: Stay one night in a villa and you’ll never stay in a hotel again. To enjoy the beauty and complete relaxation at The Purist Villas, speak to our villa specialists.
