Balinese Magic At Mandapa

when was the last time you saw something for the first time?

- Tracey Drake

​I had been looking forward to my trip to Bali for months; my mind creating all kinds of daydream scenarios that involved spectacular places and unforgettable experiences. Of course, those all came true (if you have been to Bali, you know exactly what I mean), but what I didn't expect was that one of the most memorable would be a hotel. I should qualify that statement by saying this is no ordinary hotel - this is Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Ubud.

Traveling with my husband, we booked an Uber car in Denpasar, and headed north to Ubud. It is an interesting drive through the bustling streets of Denpasar with hundreds of motorized scooters going every which way. On the highway, we passed many small towns that were well into their daily routines. About an hour later, we arrived at the outskirts of Ubud, and I watched out my window in fascination as a busy intersection and a sharp left turn quickly became a serene residential lane-way that led us to the gates of Mandapa. I had arrived in paradise.

Mandapas (meaning temples) have been a foundation of Balinese culture for thousands of years. In Ubud and all over Bali, these temples offer a restful place for devotees to restore mind, body and soul. So, it seems very fitting to me that Ritz-Carlton would choose the name Mandapa for this magical oasis.