Four Seasons Sayan Review: Private Pool Villas in the Bali Rainforest

Had a spaceship landed in the middle of the Bali rainforest?

Crossing a teak-and-steel footbridge over a dramatic gorge, we stared at what looked like a three-tiered spaceship that had stopped beside the rushing Ayung River.

But no, it turned out to be the reception, spa and main restaurant building of the Four Seasons at Sayan, located on the edge of Ubud, Bali’s artist colony.

Four Seasons Sayan review

Four Seasons Sayan villas:

The resort’s 42 villas are equally eye-catching.

(This Bali Four Seasons property also has 18 suites, but the villas are where you want to stay – and where we stayed.)

Each villa has an expansive wooden deck with cushioned couches and chairs (under the shade of a roof with ceiling fan) plus a teak dining table with umbrella.

Watching the river from our deck was quite hypnotic (we’d inevitably doze off), and we could hear the water tumbling over boulders in the riverbed at night.

All villas also have a small private pool outside.

Inside, the air-conditioned bedroom has warm polished wood floors along with a writing desk and bedside tables inlaid with mother-of-pearl tiles.

A giant carved wooden screen behind the king-size bed features a delicate pattern of leaves and birds.

No Four Seasons Sayan review would be complete without mention of the huge bathroom.

The bathroom has green marble floors – and get this – an egg-shaped bathtub, also inlaid with mother-of-pearl tiles. Totally striking!

Mix it up and stay at another fab place too! See more of our luxury Bali hotel reviews

What to do at the Four Seasons at Sayan?

There are many fabulous things to do in Bali.

But the outdoor setting of our villa was so inviting that we really didn’t feel the need to do very much during our stay at the Four Seasons, other than laze about and eat.

Feasting:

Speaking of eating, we enjoyed the resort’s weekly buffet feast, which celebrates Indonesian food – and we got to try local suckling pig and crispy fried duck.

Babi Guling or suckling pig is one of Bali’s most famous dishes.

Traditionally, the pig is stuffed with spices like lemongrass, coriander, turmeric, black pepper and garlic, then roasted on a spit.

The crackling skin is the best part (so long as you don’t worry about all the fat!).

Complimentary activities:

Several activities are complimentary when you stay at this Bali Four Seasons resort.

And we did rouse ourselves to enjoy both the authentic Balinese dance performance and a guided walk through the rice paddies.

Spa:

The spa also won us over with its lovely couples spa villas overlooking lotus ponds.

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Photo credits: 5, 6, 7, 9 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | Remaining photos Four Seasons Resort Sayan

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We stayed at this Ubud Four Seasons as media guests for review purposes. But as professional travel writers, our words and views are always our own.

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