Review: Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts — A Soulful Sanctuary on the Clifftops of Uluwatu

BALI

Perched on a dramatic cliffside 70 metres above the Indian Ocean, Umana Bali is the first LXR Hotels & Resorts property to debut in Southeast Asia — a new entry into Bali’s ultra-luxury scene that blends contemporary design, heartfelt service, and deep cultural reverence. Located in Ungasan, a quieter southern region just a 35-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, the resort sits at the intersection of serenity and spectacle: think panoramic ocean views, private villas with heated pools, and immersive experiences rooted in Balinese tradition.

While many properties on the island promise paradise, Umana Bali goes further, offering a modern interpretation of Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese philosophy of harmony between people, nature, and spirit. The result is a stay that feels at once grounding and indulgent, whether you're watching a Kecak dance at sunset, savouring local produce at a cliffside restaurant, or simply floating in your villa’s pool as the sky shifts into dusk.

All images courtesy of CSP Times.

The Location

Tucked into the southernmost tip of Bali, Umana enjoys a cinematic setting where sea mist rises in the morning and sunsets arrive in full theatrical glory. Ungasan may not have the name recognition of Seminyak or Canggu, but that’s part of the charm. The resort offers direct access to Melasti Beach, and is within a short drive of Uluwatu Temple, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana cultural park, and New Kuta Golf. But if you never leave the property, you wouldn’t feel shortchanged.

First Impressions

On arrival, you’re greeted by a temple — not metaphorically, but literally. The Umana Temple, seamlessly woven into the resort’s layout, signals a deeper intention at play.

The architecture is a thoughtful nod to Bali’s layered identity: sacred wood carvings, modernist lines, and art installations made from vintage Chinese coins. From the feathered façade of the wedding chapel, echoing the golden headdresses of Balinese brides, to the Legong-inspired chandelier in the lobby, every detail hums with story.

The Villas

Umana offers 72 villas, each one a private compound rather than a mere room. Entry-level options like the One-Bedroom Tropical Garden Pool Villa (403 sqm) are already palatial, with indoor and outdoor living areas, lush greenery, and a private pool with a heated open-air Jacuzzi. Those seeking sea vistas should opt for the Panoramic Ocean Pool Villa, while multi-generational travellers can sprawl out in the 1,200 sqm Three-Bedroom Umana Ocean Pool Villa.

Smartly designed touches — like a pillow menu, curated minibar, and seamless WhatsApp concierge service — underscore the resort’s ethos of handcrafted hospitality. Each villa comes with a dedicated Curator, who doubles as personal butler, cultural guide, and memory maker.

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Dining

Dining at Umana is anything but predictable. Start your morning with a hearty breakfast buffet, followed by a grilled seafood lunch at Uma Beach House, where the Peruvian-meets-Balinese menu feels fresh, fun, and never fussy.

The showstopper is Oliverra, a Mediterranean clifftop restaurant that would feel at home on the Amalfi Coast — were it not for the sweeping Indian Ocean views. Commune, the all-day dining venue, celebrates regional produce and Balinese culinary heritage, including an excellent take on babi guling (suckling pig) and an atmospheric Indonesian Rijsttafel dinner served communal-style.

Prefer something more laid-back? The PAD pool bar does a stellar line in pineapple ginger mojitos and elevated bar bites, while MER Lounge is your go-to for craft coffee and over 200 wine labels.

Experiences

The Lohma Spa is where the island’s spiritual energy takes shape. With a full suite of saunas, hot and cold tubs, and a serene indoor yoga pavilion, it’s a sanctuary within a sanctuary. Signature treatments like the Tri Hita Karana Journey combine scrubs, facials, and massages in a five-step ritual that is as rejuvenating as it is grounding.

For something even more immersive, guests can explore sound healing sessions, Balinese astrology consultations, or partake in a soul blessing ceremony that feels intimate and authentic, not performative.

Umana’s strength lies in its ability to bring Bali to your doorstep. Whether it's kite-making with a local artisan, a private Kecak performance at the chapel, or a helicopter tour over Mount Batur followed by a sunset beach BBQ, the resort excels at experiences that feel personal and deeply local.

Who It’s For

Umana Bali is for travellers who want more than a checklist of luxuries. It’s for the honeymooner craving intimacy, the wellness-seeker in need of true calm, the aesthete who values cultural context, and the modern family that wants to feel taken care of without feeling scripted. It’s one of those rare properties that manages to be both rooted and refined, blending deep cultural reverence with everything a discerning traveller could ask for. A sanctuary not just for the body, but for the spirit.

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Location: Jl. Melasti, Ungasan, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80364, Indonesia | Phone: +62 361 3007000 | Email: umanabali.reservations@hilton.com | Instagram: @UmanaBali | Facebook: Umana Bali | Website: hilton.com/en/hotels/dpsolol-umana-bali-resort/