You’ve seen the photo. It’s basically unavoidable if you’ve spent more than five minutes on Instagram or Pinterest over the last decade. A twin-tiered, slate-grey infinity pool suspended high above a dense, steam-shrouded emerald jungle. It looks like it shouldn’t be there. It looks like it’s defying gravity. This is the Hanging Gardens of Bali (formerly and often still called the Ubud Hanging Gardens resort), and honestly, it’s one of those rare places where the reality actually manages to kick the butt of the digital hype.
But here is the thing about being a "bucket list" icon: everyone focuses on the grid-worthy shot and forgets about the actual experience of staying in a vertical rainforest.
Most people don't realize that the resort isn't technically in Ubud proper. It’s about 30 minutes north, tucked into the Payangan region. That distinction matters. You aren't walking to a hipster cafe for an oat milk latte here. You are deep in the valley of the Ayung River. It’s quiet. It’s loud. The "loud" comes from the cicadas and the rushing water below, not the motorbikes of Jalan Raya Ubud. If you're looking for the heart of the action, you're in the wrong place. If you want to feel like you've been swallowed by a very expensive, very comfortable volcano, you're exactly where you need to be.
The Engineering Behind the "World's Best Pool"
Let’s talk about that pool because we have to. Designed by architect Popo Danes, the structure was meant to mimic the surrounding hilly terrain. It’s not just a rectangle of water. It’s a cantilevered masterpiece. The upper level flows into the lower level, creating this illusion that you are floating over the edge of the world. It’s been named the "World's Best Swimming Pool" by Condé Nast Traveller and TripAdvisor so many times it probably has a trophy room.
What’s wild is the logistics. The resort is built on a 45-degree gradient. To get from the lobby down to the villas or the pool, you use a private funicular. Yes, a cable car. It’s basically a slow-motion vertical train that glides through the treetops.
Is it practical? Sorta. Is it cool? Absolutely.
Without that funicular, you’d need the thighs of an Olympic cyclist to get to breakfast. The resort layout is a series of thatched-roof villas—44 in total—each with its own private infinity pool. This is a crucial detail for anyone who hates sharing water with strangers. Even the "entry-level" Riverside Villas feel secluded because they’re staggered. You can look out at the ancient Dalem Segara temple on the opposite bank, but nobody can really look in at you.
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What Staying at Hanging Gardens of Bali is Actually Like
If you’re expecting a sleek, ultra-modern glass box, you’ll be disappointed. This is traditional Balinese luxury. We’re talking Alang-Alang thatched roofs, dark tropical woods, and open-air spaces that invite the outside in.
Sometimes, the "outside" takes the invitation literally.
You’re in the jungle. You might see a monkey. You will definitely see a lizard. You’ll probably hear things scuttling in the thatch at night. For some travelers, that’s a dealbreaker. For others, it’s the whole point. The resort staff—who are famously attentive, often knowing your name by the second hour—manage this balance well, but they can't control the wildlife. It’s their house, you’re just paying to visit.
The Food and the "Hidden" Experiences
Dining here isn't just about the Three Elements Restaurant. While the food there is great—heavy on the Indonesian-fusion side—the real "pro move" is the specialty dining.
They do this thing called "Dining on the Pool." They literally set up a wooden deck over the infinity pool, surround it with frangipani and candles, and serve you dinner while you're suspended over the valley. It sounds cheesy. It is actually incredibly romantic, provided it doesn't rain. Bali weather is moody, and a tropical downpour can turn a candlelit dinner into a wet mess in about four seconds.
Then there’s the spa. It’s located right by the river. You can hear the Ayung River crashing over the rocks while someone kneads the knots out of your shoulders. It’s a sensory overload in the best way possible.
Addressing the "Day Pass" Controversy
There is a bit of a divide in the travel community about the Hanging Gardens of Bali. Because the pool is so famous, the resort used to be swamped with "day trippers" just looking for the photo. This frustrated the guests paying $600+ a night for peace and quiet.
To fix this, the resort got strict.
Now, if you aren't staying there, getting access to that pool is either impossible or very expensive via a specific spa or dining package. If you’re a guest, this is a massive win. You don't have to wait in line to take a photo. If you're a backpacker just hoping for a quick selfie, you're probably out of luck. This shift has restored a lot of the "hush-hush" exclusivity that a luxury jungle retreat needs to survive.
Is the Ubud Hanging Gardens Resort Worth the Price Tag?
Let’s be real: Bali has a lot of luxury hotels. You can find stunning villas for half the price in nearby Tegallalang or even closer to the Ubud center. So, why pay the premium here?
- The View: There are other infinity pools, but none quite capture the scale of this specific valley.
- The Funicular: It sounds like a gimmick until you're using it at 10 PM under a blanket of stars.
- The Isolation: Most "jungle" resorts in Bali are actually pretty close to a road or a village. This one feels genuinely remote.
However, the age of the resort shows in some spots. It opened in 2005. While they’ve done renovations, the style is "classic Bali" rather than "minimalist chic." If you want white marble and LED-strip lighting, look at the newer builds in Canggu or Uluwatu. This is for the person who wants to wake up to the smell of damp earth and incense.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Location
People book this thinking they’ll pop into Ubud for lunch and be back by 2 PM. Don't do that. The shuttle service is available, but the road is winding and traffic in Bali has become... well, legendary. Once you check in, plan to stay in. Treat it like a destination in itself.
If you do venture out, go North. You’re closer to the Kintamani highlands and the Tegallalang rice terraces than the people staying in the center of town. You can beat the crowds to the sunrise spots because you’ve already got a 20-minute head start.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
Don't just wing it. To get the most out of a stay at the Hanging Gardens of Bali, you need a bit of a strategy.
- Book a Riverside Villa: While the Panoramic Villas have great views from the top, the Riverside Villas allow you to hear the river. There is something primal and incredibly soothing about that sound that the higher-up villas lack.
- The "Secret" Temple Walk: Ask the staff about the walk to the Dalem Segara temple. It’s right across the gorge. It’s a steep hike, but seeing the resort from the other side gives you a perspective on the architecture that you can’t get from inside the lobby.
- Time Your Pool Visit: Everyone goes to the main pool at 10 AM after breakfast. If you want it to yourself, go at 7 AM when the mist is still sitting in the valley. It’s colder, sure, but the photos are hauntedly beautiful and the silence is deafening.
- Bug Prep: This isn't a suggestion, it's a requirement. Bring high-quality repellent. You are in their territory. The resort provides some, but if you have sensitive skin, bring your own.
- Check the Moon Phase: If you can time your visit during a full moon, do it. The Balinese ceremonies at the local temple across the river become much more vibrant, and the jungle looks silver under a full moon.
The Hanging Gardens of Bali remains a benchmark for tropical architecture. It’s not just a hotel; it’s a study in how to build on a cliffside without ruining the view for everyone else. It’s expensive, it’s a bit out of the way, and you might share your balcony with a long-tailed macaque, but that’s the trade-off for staying in a place that feels like it was grown rather than built.
Pack a light jacket for the evenings—the jungle gets surprisingly chilly once the sun drops behind the ridge—and leave the "hustle" mindset at the airport. This is a place for slow coffee, long books, and staring at a thousand shades of green until your eyes finally adjust to the lack of a screen.