Somewhere for the Weekend

Your pull-out guide to three of Asia’s cultural capitals.

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Published: 4:00pm, 16 Mar 2006Updated: 2:17pm, 19 Oct 2016

UBUD, BALI

Hotel -

Budget: Honeymoon Guesthouse. Set amid emerald rice fields, this peaceful little guesthouse has 16 Balinese-style rooms and a pretty pool. Rooms from HK$300 a night. Jalan Raya Ubud, +62 361-973-282, www.casalunabali.com.

Classic: Uma Ubud. The Uma Ubud is very Zen, with its serene, black-and-white décor, hi-tech gadgetry, fab food and miraculous spa. Rooms from $1,700. Jl Sanggingan, Kedewatan, Ubud, +62 361-972-448, www.ubud.como.bz.

Splurge: Como Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri (+62 361-978-888). This gobsmacking “residential health retreat” teeters on the edge of the Ayung Gorge. Private butlers, multiple pools and a to-die-for spa. Rooms from $2,700.

Restaurant -

Budget: Sister to our own Bebek Bengil 3, Bebek Bengil 1 is the best place for the local specialty, duck stewed in spices then deep-fried. Finger-lickin’ good. Padang Tegel, +62 361-975-489.

Classic: Set in a hard-to-find, funky little courtyard, Satri’s Warung serves fine Balinese food. Monkey Forest Rd., +62 361-973-279.

Splurge: Torch-lit, elegant and achingly hip, Mosaic is the only restaurant in town where you need to book. Nouvelle food blends Western techniques with local ingredients. Jl Sanggingan, +62 361-975-768.

Bar -

Budget: Naughty Nuri’s serves fantastic cocktails and meltingly delicious ribs. It's packed when the tuna comes in on Thursdays. Shame about the toilets. Tromol Pos 219, +62 361-977-547.

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