Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, Ubud Bali

Last Updated on April 11, 2026

Luxury Ubud Resort with Villas, Spa and Rice Terraces

Set among stunning gardens and endless paddy fields, my stay at Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, felt truly magical. Just outside Ubud in the lush central highlands of Bali, this former estate of renowned Indonesian art collector Hendra Hafiprana effortlessly blends culture, design, and nature.

My trip to Bali had taken me all around this lovely Indonesian island, but my stay at Tanah Gajah seemed like a real shift in pace. After the coastal stretches of sandy beaches, bustling resorts and roads choc-a-block with cars and scooters, I found myself in peaceful surroundings, with rolling hills, tropical jungle and vibrant green rice terraces.

Arrival & First Impressions

The first thing you see when arriving at Tanah Gajah is its dramatic stone entrance gate, leading directly into the beautiful grounds – a serene private estate spanning 6 hectares. Paddy fields, for as far as the eye can see, manicured gardens, swimming pools, stone sculptures, a lotus pond complete with a family of white Dutch and black Australian swans.

The name Tanah Gajah means Land of Elephant, inspired by the nearby Goa Gajah Temple. This luxurious 5-star resort sits approximately 35-40 km from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), a 60 – 90-minute drive, though it can take longer due to Bali traffic. Tanah Gajah arranges comfortable transfers, or you can pick up a taxi or use the GRAB App. A complimentary private car shuttle service into Ubud centre, takes just 10–15-minute drive.

The architecture has a distinctive Balinese-modern design and features a fantastic collection of artworks, hand-carved furnishings, and artefacts from Hendra Hadiprana’s personal collection.
From the moment we arrived, the exceptional service began: a ritual drum banging, cool towels, and fresh juice. Our bags disappeared without a trace (rematerializing in our room), and we were taken on a buggy tour of the estate, finishing at our stand-alone private villa.

Villas at Tanah Gajah

With just the 24 club suites and villas, this 5-star resort feels exclusive. Our fabulous Club Pool Villa proved both highly functional and wonderfully luxurious. The view was different from any I’ve experienced before, a well-sized infinity pool with a gate at the end of it opening directly onto a paddy field teeming with wildlife.

This elegant villa mixes Balinese features with modern architectural design – timber pillars, a gabled roof, palm leaf wall and ceiling panels, together with rich hardwood and stone finishes. At its centre sits an ornately carved super king-size bed, dressed in luxurious linen and wonderfully comfortable pillows.

Wooden Venetian blinds, soft brown curtains, and a daybed scattered with batik cushions. Special touches include a desk, a Bose speaker, generous storage, excellent lighting, air conditioning, and a table laid with fresh fruit and nibbles.

Full-length glass doors open onto the veranda, while the spacious bathroom features twin sinks, a separate shower, and a stunning freestanding outdoor bath, perfect for soaking under the stars.

On the terrace, an outdoor bar stocked with elegant glass carafes of spirits, a coffee machine, a tea selection, a fridge filled with soft drinks and beers. And a basket of delicious, freshly made banana fritters!

Our villa at Tanah Gajah included Club Benefits – these include a discreet Butler service, a la carte breakfast, evening turndown, daily seasonal fruits, afternoon tea, sunset cocktails, a complimentary mini bar restocked daily, and up to six items of laundry service per day.

Facilities & Experiences at Tanah Gajah

The facilities and experiences at Tanah Gajah are truly superb. The grounds alone are extraordinarily beautiful, so much so that it’s worth taking time simply to wander, pause, and take it all in. Stretch out beside the magnificent pool and enjoy some pure relaxation, soaking up the tranquillity and the gorgeous view.

One morning, we had a sweet, scented treatment at The SPA. The ritual began with a soothing foot wash, followed by a deeply restorative Balinese massage.

The setting is wonderfully serene, but what has stayed with me most is the quiet time afterwards: wrapped in a gown, sitting on the balcony, gazing out over the paddy fields. It’s a memory I don’t think I’ll ever forget. I’m a yogi, so I appreciated the early morning yoga classes on the pavilion deck, and for those who like a game of tennis, they have a superb court.

The resort curates a host of experiences, ranging from romantic feasts, guided rice paddy trekking through the fields and a neighbouring village, or treks in search of the Hindu goddess, to private access to its museum art collection with a well-known local expert, to painting your very own Balinese masterpiece.

And for something truly spectacular, you can even take a ride in a hot air balloon, an experience I had long wanted to tick off. I was genuinely excited to get the opportunity to do it in such an amazing location.

We were lifted gently into the sky for a short, thrilling journey, rewarded with an incredible bird’s-eye view of the estate and the surrounding landscape. A photographer was on hand to capture the moment…it was quite magical.

On Tuesday and Friday nights, Tanah Gajah resort hosts a Kecak Dance & The Art of Royal Balinese Dinner. Kecak and Fire dances are an important part of Balinese culture, developed in the 1930s and inspired by the sacred Sanghyang ritual.

On Friday night, after sunset cocktails on the terrace, we made our way to the candlelit amphitheatre for what turned out to be an enthralling, high-drama, almost trance-like chant-driven retelling of the Ramayana, complete with atmospheric fire and cheeky monkeys. All performed by a dance troupe made up of over fifty men and boys from the local community.

After the dance, we enjoyed a Royal Balinese dinner at The Tempayan restaurant, served by young women dressed in traditional attire. A wonderful experience which felt both theatrical and genuinely connected to the local culture.

Dining at Tanah Gajah

The Tempayan restaurant overlooks wide expanses of paddy fields. It’s open-air but covered by a pitched roof, with a large terrace that makes it a stunning spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Breakfast is served à la carte, with a great choice of freshly baked pastries, colourful fruit, fresh juices, and a mix of international and Asian dishes, all prepared to a high standard.

Dinner is equally fabulous. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Dean Nor, the menu offers a fusion of authentic Balinese cuisine and Western classics. Every meal we ate was exceptionally good.

Afternoon Tea (which was included as part of our Club Benefit) was served by the main pool, a delicious selection of savoury and sweet bites accompanied by a choice of tea, coffee or fresh juices.

For those who love coffee or matcha, the Kurasu Panen Padi Lounge is the place to be. Here, you can enjoy Kyoto’s finest speciality coffee and ceremonial matcha, all while taking in views of the surrounding rice paddies, something I doubt you would tire of.

Visiting Ubud

You’ll want to keep some time to explore Ubud, and the resort’s shuttle service makes it effortless. Just a 15-minute drive, and we were dropped right in the heart of town. I really fell for this buzzing town, with galleries, cool shops, and bustling markets brimming with handicrafts, jewellery, and clothing.

Cafes, bars, and healthy eateries are everywhere, often filled with digital nomads (and it’s easy to see why; it’s such a lovely place to settle in).

Known for its strong wellness scene, Ubud is home to yoga retreats, spa experiences, and regular Gamelan performances featuring traditional percussion. One afternoon, I had a go at jewellery making and came home proudly with a silver ring I’d made myself

Highlights include the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, home to more than 1,200 cheeky monkeys that occasionally spill out into the streets, and the Ubud Palace, a former royal residence where traditional dance performances are still held. For something more scenic, it’s well worth walking through the Tegalalang Rice Terraces.

Returning to Tanah Gajah is just as effortless, with a quick pick-up from the centre bringing us back to this blissful resort.

Finally

What made the experience unforgettable, however, was the staff, who knew us by name, delivered seamless service, and took the time to engage with us in the most genuine way. By the end of our stay at Tanah Gajan, we were truly sad to say farewell.

Tanah Gajah, Tengkulak Kaja, Jl. Raya Goa Gajah, Kemenuh, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Phone: +62 361 975685

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