Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
- The resort has 60 villas and suites with plunge pools and ample outdoor spaces, allowing guests to soak up the lush views in privacy.
- Downtown Ubud is only a 15-minute drive away, and the hotel provides complimentary daily shuttle service.
- The spa has recently been redesigned and now offers outdoor relaxation spaces near a peaceful lotus pond, along with treatments rooted in local healing traditions.
- Standout activities include a guided Sacred Nap in a silk hammock and a tour of lesser-visited sights in the area, called “Can You Keep a Secret?”
Nestled amid the famously lush landscapes of Bali, Indonesia, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan still seduces guests 27 years after its opening. Its striking entrance—a footbridge suspended above the Ayung River Valley that ends with a rice bowl-shaped rooftop looking out to tiered rice paddies and gardens—is an architectural masterpiece.
The resort has recently emerged with a number of updates: last year, the spa underwent a significant renovation, led by a trio of international firms from Australia, Japan, and Indonesia, that transformed it into a 53,496-square-foot wellness sanctuary. The new private treatment villas feature hand-chiseled tubs and massage beds, while the spa menu spotlights water-focused therapies rooted in Balinese healing.
When I arrived at the resort, there was a quick welcoming ceremony to set an intention for my stay and pick a colorful sash. (I chose blue, which, I was told, meant confidence.) In the entryway, I could hear the Ayung River in the background as the treetops swayed in the wind. Before I knew it, I had a welcome drink in my hand and was on my way to my villa.
The resort may be just 15 minutes from Ubud’s bustling downtown, but its private one-bedroom villas, scattered throughout the property, are serene oases nestled in the lush jungle. Local art, private plunge pools, oversized windows, and French doors invite nature inside, and create the ultimate visual—and auditory—setting for a complete physical and mental reset.
Below, my full review of the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan in Indonesia.
The Rooms
The resort has 42 villas and 18 suites, the latter located in the main building, steps away from the restaurants and pool. The spacious accommodations range from 1,834 square feet for the One-Bedroom Duplex Suites, boasting two levels with the bedroom looking out to an outdoor patio, to the exceptional 22,873-square-foot, three-bedroom Royal Villa commanding views of the rice terraces and the Ayung River.
Each villa has a magnificent plunge pool, a soaking tub, and an open-air living area that seamlessly merges with the outdoors. The suites are crafted beautifully as well, with rich wood accents and handmade textiles.
Food and Drink
Ken Seet/Courtesy of Four Seasons
The resort has four dining options: the all-day Ayung Terrace, located in the main building; Riverside, which features Mediterranean fare; and Sokasi, an open kitchen that hosts a special seven-course chef’s table-style dinner. (Sokasi is also the hotel’s cooking school.) Jati Bar sits a floor above Ayung Terrace, overlooking swaying trees and rice paddies, and serves light snacks and a selection of cocktails and wine. (Pro tip: opt for a cocktail, prepared with arak, a Balinese liquor made from fermented rice or palm sap.)
Don’t miss the weekly Indonesian buffet-style dinner at Ayung Terrace, showcasing the country’s diverse flavors and cooking techniques.
Activities and Experiences
Courtesy of Four Seasons
One of the most popular off-site experiences is the Can You Keep a Secret? tour, which highlights local under-the-radar sights like a nearby rice farming village. I visited a sacred Banyan tree and a beautiful temple, before heading to a historic house to join a family and make Canang Sari, a daily Balinese offering of flowers, incense, and leaves in a palm leaf. I took my offering to the next stop: a water temple where I participated in the Melukat water ritual, which cleanses and purifies the body, mind, and soul.
The resort also offers a cooking class, during which guests visit a local market before preparing an Indonesian meal. Other options include an adrenaline-packed visit to the Bali Treetop Adventure Park and rafting.
Back in the resort, there is a riverside pool, a fitness center and spa, a nail salon, and complimentary wellness classes, including yoga.
The Spa
The Sacred River Spa is perhaps the crown jewel of the resort, as it was completely rebuilt and redone in October 2024. With 53,496 square feet of beautiful treatment villas, tucked away along a lily pond, the spa takes inspiration from the Balinese philosophy of Niskala, or “unseen energy.”
Each treatment begins and ends with a sound bath, using quartz crystal singing bowls. The spa menu includes massages, facials, and six healing rituals, such as the Restu Bumi, a spiritual cleansing massage featuring local tools, herbs, and warm gemstones.
There is also a new yoga pavilion near the river, while another platform offers space for wellness talks and experiences, such as the blissful Sacred Nap Ritual, during which a wellness mentor guides participants through a story while guests are blissfully cradled in silk hammocks.
Family-Friendly Offerings
Christian Horan/Courtesy of Four Seasons
The resort’s family suites feature a kids’ room, ample indoor and outdoor space to spread out, and complimentary amenities like cribs and rollaway beds.
The Pici Pici kids club caters to children aged four to 12 with daily activities like Balinese arts and crafts, games, storytelling, and nature exploration. There’s even a rice barn-inspired treehouse nestled in the jungle. Kids under four eat for free, and there’s a 50 percent discount on meals for children aged five to 12. All restaurants offer kid-friendly options. Guests with children can also sign up for Balinese cooking classes and the fun Day in the Life of a Balinese Farmer activity, which is both educational and interactive.
Accessibility and Sustainability
The resort is set on a hill within a lush river valley with varying elevations and many steps, and does not have elevators.
The hotel’s sustainability initiatives include the elimination of single-use plastics, on-site composting, and sourcing ingredients from local organic farms, cooperatives, and its own gardens. Many of the spa and room amenities are made by local artisans using sustainable materials. The resort also supports community projects, such as soap recycling programs and environmental clean-ups in the surrounding Ayung River Valley.
Location
Courtesy of Four Seasons
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan is located in central Bali, just a short drive from Ubud, the island’s cultural center. It sits in a serene jungle valley above the Ayung River, surrounded by rice terraces and tropical forest. The location is peaceful and secluded, yet close enough to explore key Ubud attractions, such as the Sacred Monkey Forest, Campuhan Ridge Walk, Ubud Palace, and the Neka Art Museum.
The resort provides a complimentary shuttle to and from central Ubud, making it easy to venture out without needing a car or scooter. Most guests arrive by private car transfer from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), which takes approximately 75 to 90 minutes. For a more adventurous arrival, the resort offers a river rafting experience.
Book Now
Four Seasons doesn’t have a loyalty program. The resort is part of American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, offering cardholders complimentary WiFi, early check-in and late check-out (based on availability), room upgrades (based on availability), and $100 hotel credit.
Before booking, check the hotel’s website for the latest offers and packages.
Nightly rates at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan start from $790.
Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
