Perched above the Ayung River Gorge, Amandari (‘peaceful spirits’) is situated about 60 minutes from Bali’s international airport in Denpasar, and 10 minutes from the arts community of Ubud in the island’s verdant heartland. Laid out as a Balinese ‘village’, the resort features an open-air reception area designed after a wantilan, a village meeting place. From here, winding pathways lead to the Restaurant, the main swimming pool, the Bar, a library and boutique, as well as to 31 free-standing thatched-roof suites. Surrounded by high paras-stone walls for privacy, each suite is accessed via a Balinese-style gateway. Views and layouts vary, with some overlooking the valley and rice paddies, and a number featuring a duplex configuration, a plunge pool and additional rooms. All suites offer a garden courtyard, an indoor living area and full-height sliding glass doors that open on three sides to lush surroundings. Bathrooms provide twin vanities and dressing areas, a separate shower and toilet, and an outdoor sunken marble bathtub. Serviced by two staff, the Amandari Villa is tucked into rice terraces less than a minute’s drive from the resort. Overlooking the Ayung River Gorge, it is a 1,500-square-metre Balinese-style compound with three bedrooms, a separate living room and a fully-fitted kitchen. A garden, landscaped deck and dining bale embrace an expansive, two-tiered swimming pool. Amandari’s open-sided Restaurant overlooks the resort’s 32-metre swimming pool, which is situated close to the lip of the gorge. Every evening, gamelan players or local dancers perform from the music pavilion behind the