Our Stay at Stone House Ubud: An Honest Review

Hidden among the lush tropical jungles and quiet rice paddies of northern Ubud, the Stone House is a collection of six luxurious and individually designed villas set within a large private garden. We were invited to stay at two of the Stone House's villas, the Treehouse and Farmhouse, in December 2023 by the lovely owner Wendy. Here's our full review.

Location

Stone House sits just a 10 minute drive north of Ubud, Bali's spiritual center and one of the island's major tourist hubs.

The property is far enough away from the busy town center to provide a calm and peaceful escape in nature, yet still close enough to offer easy access to Ubud's many restaurants and attractions.

While reaching central Ubud requires a bike or car, there are a few shops and restaurants within walking distance of the property.

Hidden behind an unsuspecting gate and towering limestone walls, Stone House sits within a huge foliage-filled garden with views over the working rice paddies next door.

Lush greenery and towering palm trees separate each of the villas and communal spaces, providing a private and intimate experience no matter where you are within the property.

The Accommodation

Stone House has six individually designed villas; Treehouse, Farmhouse, Longhouse, Skyview Up, Skyview Down, and Java One.

Each of the villas has a completely different style and vibe, from the crisp Mediterranean whites and blues of Skyview to the authentic Javanese Farmhouse and the eight-meter-tall bamboo Treehouse.

But the one thing they all share is the small details that make a stay here so extraordinary.

All of the buildings were created from local raw materials such as stone, salvaged timber, and bamboo, and decorated with curated antique accessories and decor. The entire property has been designed to blend with the authentic spirit of Bali... with a bit of luxury thrown in.

Each villa comes with all of the little things you could possibly need during your visit, from beautiful homemade Balinese robes, yoga mats, and a rattan bag for your inevitable shopping spree at Ubud's markets, to luxurious toiletries, bamboo toothbrushes, and mosquito repellant.

We were fortunate enough to spend a night in both the Treehouse and the Farmhouse, which we'll discuss in more detail below.

The Treehouse

The Treehouse is one of Stone House's newest villas, yet is perhaps already its most iconic.

As the name suggests, the Treehouse sits suspended over seven meters above the ground and is made entirely from bamboo, helping it blend effortlessly into the coconut palm trees that surround it.

The villa is entirely open-air, offering a rustic meets luxury glamping-style experience. There aren't any closed walls or windows - just oversized curtains separating the room from the natural world outside.

We didn't find the open-air concept an issue and actually found there were fewer bugs than other jungle resorts we've stayed in around Bali. At night, the staff closed the curtains and mosquito nets, stopping any unwanted visitors after dark.

The centerpiece of the room is a large circular bed draped in white canopy curtains. When the curtains are open, you can enjoy the stunning jungle views and even watch the farmers in the rice paddies next door from the bed.

While the room itself has several ceiling fans, the bed has its own small aircon unit, pumping air through two bamboo tubes at the back. With the curtains shut, the aircon kept us surprisingly cool overnight - if anything, it was a little on the cold side! Although this was much needed with Ubud's intense humidity.

The bathroom is connected to the bedroom through a bamboo archway. There's no door separating the toilet, but the curvature of the room helps give you some privacy and stops any peeping.

The open-air shower is a little less private, but there is a curtain you can pull around to prevent giving the farmers next door an accidental show.

As a couple, we had no problem with the open bathroom. If you're visiting with a friend, it may be best to communicate when you want some privacy.

Let's be honest though, you won't be using the shower much when you can enjoy the villa's huge copper bathtub that sits on the terrace overlooking the jungle.

You can request a flower bath for the ultimate Bali experience. Or do as we did and opt for a warm bubble bath instead. A soak in the oversized bath (there's easily room for two) with a glass of wine, some light music, and the jungle views was the perfect way to spend the evening.

The Treehouse's other stand-out feature is its large wrap-around netted hammock that drapes dramatically over the jungle below.

Not only does the netting make for some great photos, but it's also the perfect spot to lay and watch the sunset over the terraces next door.

The netting feels sturdy and safe. If you're not a fan of heights (like me), you can always lay out a blanket to cover the view of the drop below and enjoy the views outwards instead.

The Farmhouse

Back on ground level, the Farmhouse has a slightly more traditional vibe than the Treehouse. It's also more enclosed for those who want to stay amongst nature, without being fully exposed to it.

Nestled amongst the organic farm and beautiful gardens, the Farmhouse sits inside a restored teak limasan, a traditional building that was common among wealthy families from Java (the island next to Bali) hundreds of years ago.

The spacious villa mixes traditional rustic country charm with modern luxury, decorated with wooden furnishings and antique decorations collected from owners Walker and Wendy's travels across Asia.

The entire villa is surrounded by large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens and rice terraces outside. The curtains can be closed for some privacy, but we felt secluded enough that we didn't need to during the day.

There's a big comfy armchair for cosying up with a good book and a desk where you can journal or write some pages of your next novel (the cottage definitely gives writers retreat vibes!).

Connected to the bedroom is a large open-air bathroom with bamboo walls and a huge wooden shower at its center.

The villa's terrace has another cosy seating area for watching the sunset. We even spotted some fireflies in the field opposite as it got dark. Just make sure to put some mosquito repellant on if you're sitting outside around sunset - I forgot and was eaten alive!

There's also a small table and chairs on the terrace where we enjoyed our al fresco breakfast in the morning.

Locally grown fruit is left on the terrace each day for a healthy mid-afternoon snack. Make sure to try the local mangosteen - my favourite Balinese fruit!

The Staff

While it's the beautiful villas that first draw you in, it's the incredible staff and gracious Balinese hospitality that really make Stone House what it is.

From the moment we arrived at the property, we were greeted with huge smiles and countless offers of assistance from the many members of staff. We were quickly handed a fresh coconut each while our bags were carried to our room.

Upon check-in, we were added to a WhatsApp chat where we could communicate with the entire on-site team. This was super convenient for organising breakfast each morning, making requests, or asking any little questions we had.

No matter what you need, the staff can arrange it for you, whether it's a taxi into town, dinner reservations, or a romantic couples massage in your room.

From the owner Wendy who personally greeted us and told us about the property, to the friendly security man who sheltered our helmets from the rain, and the lovely lady who brought us freshly baked cookies (I still dream of these!) each evening as she turned down the room, the level of hospitality is truly unparalleled.

Plus how could we possibly forget to mention Lulu and Bella, the owners' friendly dogs who are guaranteed to come and say hello at some point too!

What Else is Included?

If the six luxurious villas and incredible service weren't enough, the Stone House also has plenty more to offer!

Upon entering the property, you first come across the Great Room, an open-concept communal living space where you can enjoy breakfast at the large table, cosy up on the sofas, or play a game of chess.

Plus a visit to the famous toilet is a must... don't forget to bring your camera!

Sitting below the Great Room is a large infinity pool surrounded by lush jungle foliage. There are deck chairs and pool towels available for guests to use.

While we probably spent more time soaking in our private bathtub than the pool, the crisp and refreshing water was perfect for cooling down after being out in the Ubud humidity for too long.

Throughout our entire stay, we never saw other people in the pool besides ourselves. Although, this may have been because it was off-season and only a few of the villas were occupied.

Breakfast comes included with every booking and can be delivered straight to your villa or enjoyed in the Great Room. We chose to have our breakfast on our terrace each morning so we could enjoy the peaceful jungle setting.

The huge breakfast includes tea or coffee, a large fruit platter, freshly baked muffins, delicious homemade jam, and a main dish of your choosing - eggs, pancakes, French toast, etc.

The food was delivered piping hot and laid out beautifully on the table for us to enjoy. It was without a doubt one of the best hotel breakfasts we've ever had - and not just because of the gorgeous view!

If you can't tear yourself away from your villa for lunch or dinner either, Stone House also has two private chefs, Jero and Sri, who can whip you up just about anything you might want and bring it directly to your room.

Or if you do want to head out, there are also some fantastic restaurants nearby. Noya Kitchen and The Grill both sit within walking distance of the property. Just a few minute's drive away you'll also find two of our favourites; Kasaba Azerbaijani Kitchen and the beautiful Reina Jungla (great pastries and cakes!).