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EXPERIENCE BALI: Jungle Paradise
Deep within the luscious green rainforest of Bali’s bohemian, artist town of Ubud sits an unexpected world of luxury. Surrounded by jungle, overlooking a tropical ravine known as the Valley of the Kings and the ancient Tegallalang rice terraces lies the Viceroy Bali, the intimate and friendly five-star luxury hotel.
Tegellalang Rice Terraces, Ubud
Viceroy Bali
The story of this impressive hotel begins with Margaret and Otto Syrowatka, an Australian couple who fell quickly and deeply in love with Bali, the culture, and the people. Riding through the jungle on the back of a scooter in the early 2000s, they came across land for sale, which sparked the idea of a passion project for their family – a luxury, 11-villa hotel in the outskirts of Ubud, which would allow them to share with the world what they loved about this part of Bali.
Fast forward to today, the resort has grown to 40 stunning private villas, each with their own heated pool and view overlooking the jungle gorge below. There is also a heliport on site capable of landing long range helicopters, a new state-of-the-art Lembah Spa, and a selection of restaurants with jaw dropping views of the surrounding jungle.
With a reputation for exceptional service and standards, achieved by their high staff-to-villa ratio, the hotel was awarded #1 Resort in the World by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine in 2018, the only luxury resort in Bali to have won the accolade.
Main Pool at Viceroy Bali
Viceroy Bali
Taking pride in their high quality and luxury offering does not mean the Viceroy Bali has had to compromise on sustainability standards and efforts to help the environment, which Amanda Syrowatka (daughter of Margaret and Otto and current General Manager) has insisted upon.
The resort has included sustainable practices since opening and uses solar panels, a water sanitisation plant, has a zero, single-use plastic policy and a no-waste mantra in the restaurants. Additionally, on site vegetable gardens ensure quality of the produce served in the restaurants, which also limits their transportation footprint.
Syrowatka also feels a great sense of social responsibility to ensure that the surrounding villages have adequate access to well-supplied schools, health facilities and other necessities. As community is a huge part of Balinese culture, Viceroy Bali fundraise for organisations such as Bali Children’s Project and take great care when showing guests to nearby sites like the ancient Tegellalang Rice Terraces, the local Palaces or markets.
