Santi Mandala Villa & Spa
by the TopOfHotel team
Santi Mandala is the best-value villa on this list — real rice-terrace views at a price you can actually book.
Santi Mandala is the best-value villa on this list — real rice-terrace views at a price you can actually book.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Santi Mandala Villa & Spa is a small place — just 10 villas set on a hillside in Tegalalang, north of Ubud, looking out over the famous rice terraces. The villas run 60–120 sqm in a traditional Balinese style: high roofs, teak, and handwoven textiles. Each one opens onto a private balcony facing the green paddies and the wide-open sky, and the bathrooms are semi-outdoor, with a soaking tub in some of them. It is built for travelers who come to Ubud to slow down and look at the landscape, not chase top-tier luxury.
Food and amenities
Breakfast is included in the rate — a simple menu with both local and Western options. The community pool is sized right for the place and shares the same rice-field view. The spa is small and leans on traditional Balinese massage, running roughly $34–51 an hour. It is nothing like the scale of COMO Shambhala up the road, but the therapists are good — guests call it worth the price.
Location and getting there
The villa sits about 7 km from central Ubud, a 20-minute drive. There is no regular shuttle, but Grab works well out here and runs about $4–6 each way into town. The Tegalalang rice terraces are only a 5-minute drive — ideal if you want to photograph them before the crowds — and the property can arrange cycling, a cooking class, or a rice-farming experience.
Things to know before booking
The trade-off here is distance. You are a 20-minute drive from town with no scheduled shuttle, so plan on renting a car or using Grab. Facilities are lighter than the 5-star names on this list — there is no fine-dining restaurant, just the included breakfast — and the spa is modest. Ask for a west-facing villa for the best rice-field outlook and the sunset.
Our take
Santi Mandala is the pick for travelers who want genuine Balinese rice-field scenery and quiet on a budget — from about $129 a night, the cheapest on this list, with a review score of 8.7/10. Come for the paddies and the calm, not for a full set of luxury extras.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- From about $129 a night — the cheapest in this 12-hotel list, and the only one that brings the price down to villa-on-a-budget territory.
- The loveliest rice-terrace views of the group, looking out over the green Tegalalang paddies from a private balcony.
- A calm, unhurried atmosphere well away from the Ubud crowds — the kind of quiet you come to the rice fields for.
- Just 10 villas, so privacy stays high and the place never feels like a big resort.
- A 5-minute drive from the popular Tegalalang rice terraces, so you can be there early before the tour buses.
- Central Ubud is a 20-minute drive away and there is no regular shuttle, so you will rent a car or lean on Grab to get into town.
- Fewer facilities than the 5-star names on this list — there is no fine-dining restaurant, just a simple included breakfast.
- The spa is small. It does solid Balinese massage at around $34–51 an hour, but this is not the full COMO Shambhala wellness experience.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Ubud, Bali
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Ubud, Bali — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in Ubud, BaliAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Ask for a west-facing villa — it gets the best rice-field outlook and the sunset.
- Hit the Tegalalang rice terraces at 7am, before the tourists pour in.
- Use Grab to reach Ubud — it runs about $4–6 each way and works well out here.