Adiwana Resort Jembawan

We stayed 4 nights at this beautiful resort, located just a short walk from Ubud's main street (but far enough from the traffic), and from the little streets with shops and stalls.

Lovely property, our room (on the first floor) was very large with a balcony overlooking the pool, spacious and well-equipped for breakfast in the room. Everything was spotlessly clean and well cared for.

Exquisite staff, attentive and helpful.

We took part in the Balinese cooking class with a chef and his assistant, who were very attentive in showing us the various ingredients and involving us in preparing our own dishes.

My stay at Adiwana Jembawan became much more than a wellness break. What made it exceptional was the people—their warmth, generosity and the depth with which they shared their knowledge and traditions.

Yoga with Ayu Sridevi was an experience in itself. Yoga has always been part of my core beliefs, so I arrived thinking I understood it reasonably well. My sessions with Ayu made me realise how much more there was to learn.

Her approach was genuinely holistic. The practice began with the idea of bringing the body, mind and inner self into harmony, rather than simply perfecting postures. Through yoga, pranayama and her approach to chakra healing, I began to experience yoga beyond its physical dimension.

The chakra-healing session was particularly memorable. Afterwards, I was left with a feeling that I can best describe as warm, light and deeply settled. More strikingly, I experienced an unusual stillness in my mind. I had rarely felt such awareness of—and control over—my own thoughts. It stayed with me well beyond the session.

The food was another integral part of the experience. I chose the slow-cooked Ayurvedic meals recommended for me by Dr Kadek. She took considerable time to explain the philosophy behind the food, the ingredients and why particular choices were being recommended for me. I was genuinely in awe of the depth of her knowledge. It transformed eating from simply another part of a resort stay into another dimension of the wellness programme.

And then there was Vinda. Her remedial massage was exceptional—precise, intuitive and genuinely therapeutic. It was followed by the traditional Balinese Boreh ritual, with its warming herbal preparation and floral bath. It was one of those treatments that managed to be both deeply relaxing and distinctly connected to Bali.

Mr Kadek, the manager, deserves a very special mention. His warmth and hospitality made me feel less like a guest and more as though I had already become part of the Adiwana family. There was a sincerity to the way I was looked after that is difficult to manufacture, regardless of how luxurious a hotel may be.

Even my final journey to the airport became part of the experience. The Adiwana driver did much more than simply drive me there. During our journey, he patiently explained Balinese history, customs and traditions, and we exchanged ideas about culture and philosophy. It became one final, unexpected conversation about Bali. I found it remarkable that even on my way to the airport, I was still learning something about the island from someone connected with Adiwana.

Perhaps that is what I will remember most. Beautiful hotels can be photographed and impressive facilities can be listed, but genuine human warmth is much harder to reproduce.

I left Adiwana Jembawan carrying a feeling of closeness—to the people, to what I had learned, and to Bali itself. It is a feeling I hope to keep in my memories for a very long time.

Five stars without hesitation. I came for a wellness stay; I left feeling that I had been welcomed into something much more personal.