Mandapa, A Ritz Carlton Reserve Ubud, Bali
May 22, 2016, 10:37 pm
#61
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
A few pictures from this stunning resort. The villa to book
is "rice fields villa", the best one - Villa 12 (last one, closest to the river,
but still on the rice fields).
"River villas" stay in shadow all day long, have no view and face
the screaming boats passing by on the river. We can only hear them,
but people in those river villas can see them from their pools
and they are very close to them. The river is nothing like the rice fields
which feel very authentic and Balinese.
I will have a more complete review, not everything went as great as we hoped,
but they tried hard to fix it. Service from the local crew is outstanding,
not so sure about the management as we haven't met them yet
and they haven't expressed any interest in collecting a valuable feedback...
But again, all the Balinese people we are meeting are superb, smiling and kind.
Our villa's location (Villa 12) is amazing. Inside is great, but nothing exceptional
comparing to some other resorts we know. The pool is large and again,
the view is out of this world. The rice fields are pristine, very well kept
with rice in all stages in different areas.
is "rice fields villa", the best one - Villa 12 (last one, closest to the river,
but still on the rice fields).
"River villas" stay in shadow all day long, have no view and face
the screaming boats passing by on the river. We can only hear them,
but people in those river villas can see them from their pools
and they are very close to them. The river is nothing like the rice fields
which feel very authentic and Balinese.
I will have a more complete review, not everything went as great as we hoped,
but they tried hard to fix it. Service from the local crew is outstanding,
not so sure about the management as we haven't met them yet
and they haven't expressed any interest in collecting a valuable feedback...
But again, all the Balinese people we are meeting are superb, smiling and kind.
Our villa's location (Villa 12) is amazing. Inside is great, but nothing exceptional
comparing to some other resorts we know. The pool is large and again,
the view is out of this world. The rice fields are pristine, very well kept
with rice in all stages in different areas.
May 24, 2016, 4:44 am
#68
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: USA
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Exec, CITI Prestige, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold and all ever changing
Posts: 218
Thank you for such a great review...and those stunning pictures! My god you are good with the camera 
This has been on the top of my list for a return visit.
This has been on the top of my list for a return visit.
May 25, 2016, 8:19 am
#72
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
Well composed & taken shots ; helpful review , thanks !
Always happy to see photos here ( have yet to figure out how to post notwithstanding what Kage has tried to explain some time back ) .
Looks like they , RC , have picked ideas from the Bali Amans ..
Padi ( rice is cooked " padi " ) fields villas will be way to go .
Screaming water ' rafters ' are a nuisance as they drown out the birdsong , etc & / or otherwise jar the solitude
Always happy to see photos here ( have yet to figure out how to post notwithstanding what Kage has tried to explain some time back ) .
Looks like they , RC , have picked ideas from the Bali Amans ..
Padi ( rice is cooked " padi " ) fields villas will be way to go .
Screaming water ' rafters ' are a nuisance as they drown out the birdsong , etc & / or otherwise jar the solitude
Last edited by FlyerEC; May 25, 2016 at 8:38 am
May 25, 2016, 8:41 am
#73
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
Pray tell - what camera equipment are you using?
I don't imagine you'll describe how on earth you're getting the kind of contrast/pop you're getting on these pictures (and others), but I assume it's some sort of post-processing HDR? Any directional details would be awesome - would love at least start developing some of these techniques for my own (personal, non-commercial) photography. They are truly awe-dropping - that goes for your other pictures as well.
On another note - Mandapa looks spectacular. Very happy I recommended it to my family friend over Amandari.
I don't imagine you'll describe how on earth you're getting the kind of contrast/pop you're getting on these pictures (and others), but I assume it's some sort of post-processing HDR? Any directional details would be awesome - would love at least start developing some of these techniques for my own (personal, non-commercial) photography. They are truly awe-dropping - that goes for your other pictures as well.
On another note - Mandapa looks spectacular. Very happy I recommended it to my family friend over Amandari.
May 25, 2016, 11:50 am
#74
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
Thanks! Now a little teaser (I know, I need to put it all in one trip report!)
We wanted to try something more traditional so for another week in Ubud we moved
to the amazing Hadiprana Villa at The Chedi Club. Hadiprana was the founder of this famous resort
and a famous art collector. His villa is outstanding, a 6000 sq foot living museum,
but kept in Balinese style. An experience not to forget
(I know, I need to put it all in one trip report!)We wanted to try something more traditional so for another week in Ubud we moved
to the amazing Hadiprana Villa at The Chedi Club. Hadiprana was the founder of this famous resort
and a famous art collector. His villa is outstanding, a 6000 sq foot living museum,
but kept in Balinese style. An experience not to forget
May 25, 2016, 12:16 pm
#75
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
Thanks! Now a little teaser (I know, I need to put it all in one trip report!)
We wanted to try something more traditional so for another week in Ubud we moved
to the amazing Hadiprana Villa at The Chedi Club. Hadiprana was the founder of this famous resort
and a famous art collector. His villa is outstanding, a 6000 sq foot living museum,
but kept in Balinese style. An experience not to forget
(I know, I need to put it all in one trip report!)We wanted to try something more traditional so for another week in Ubud we moved
to the amazing Hadiprana Villa at The Chedi Club. Hadiprana was the founder of this famous resort
and a famous art collector. His villa is outstanding, a 6000 sq foot living museum,
but kept in Balinese style. An experience not to forget