Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

This was my second stay at Mandapa, and it's clear the service quality has improved significantly since my last visit. When I was staying at Mandapa, I'd rate it an 8 out of 10. After checking out and moving to the Banyan Tree next door, Mandapa instantly became a 12 out of 10. I truly miss everything about Mandapa. 1. **Service**: Absolutely top-notch. 2. **Ambiance**: Absolutely top-notch (Seriously, don't book a basic room here. If you're coming all this way, you absolutely *must* get a pool villa, otherwise, you're missing out). 3. **Restaurants**: Sawah is delicious, Kubu is delicious, and breakfast is also great. 4. If your plan is to go out and shop, then there's no need to stay here. But if you're looking to spend most of your time at the hotel, Mandapa! You'll truly experience its excellence. Mandapa's charm is one that really grows on you; I'd go back to Bali just for Mandapa.

The one-on-one butler service was incredibly attentive. The resort environment is serene and peaceful, and the hotel proactively upgraded us to a suite. We tried three of their restaurants, all of which offered Michelin-level quality. Highly recommend.

The facilities and service here are incredibly refined. From now on, when I visit Bali, I won't stay anywhere else; this place alone is enough. It's so rejuvenating and feels just like home – incredibly relaxing. The private pool in the room is genuinely huge and very clean; it just makes you want to jump in and swim. I've realized that not all private pools are created equal; without comparison, you don't realize the difference. Some private pools just don't inspire you to get in, but here, I could happily spend an entire day in mine.

Upgraded to a pool suite. Service: Excellent Environment: Secluded and comfortable Hygiene: Clean and tidy, but some mosquitoes are unavoidable. Facilities: Many great amenities, but the water pressure isn't strong. Overall, I had a very good experience, and it offers better value than top luxury hotels in China.

I highly recommend staying in the villa rooms. The living room and pool are both stunning, with beautiful wooden Balinese-style furniture. You'll receive a greeting email before check-in, and there are plenty of activities available. The rice terrace views are absolutely amazing. Make sure to visit the Japanese restaurant and the sunset restaurant for a fantastic sunset experience. We ordered the set menu at the French restaurant, which offered a truly immersive dining experience. The morning yoga and gym are excellent, and the breakfast is abundant. All the staff are very enthusiastic.

Overall, our stay was truly outstanding. Entering the hotel through a rather inconspicuous narrow alley, it opens up into a surprisingly grand and beautiful space, offering a delightful sense of contrast. Everything from the service to the facilities and dining was exceptional. We booked rafting through the hotel, which was a bit pricier than external options. However, it was a private boat with a flexible departure time, and we were dropped off directly at the hotel entrance after the trip, making for an excellent overall experience. For breakfast, I finally got to try the famous 'Dirty Duck' rice, which I had missed on a previous occasion. The quality of the à la carte menu items was also very high. The gym was well-equipped with advanced facilities and even offered a variety of complimentary snacks, protein bars, and sports drinks, making for an excellent workout experience. However, there were a few minor points that could be improved. There were slightly too few wall sockets in the room, and one was broken, which was a bit inconvenient given the number of personal electronic devices we had. The TV screen mirroring function wasn't very convenient to use. The last shuttle back from Ubud was at 6:20 PM; I would suggest adding a later evening shuttle service. Lastly, there seemed to be only one Chinese-speaking butler, and they often appeared stretched thin.