Viceroy Bali, Indonesia

Thatched villas with private pools overlook the so-called Valley of the Kings, named because Balinese royalty once made their homes in the secluded villages below. The rooms are enormous in size and opulent in feel, complete with plush daybeds, mahogany furniture and marble bathrooms.  the large bedroom and living room features a grand bed and mahogany furniture, with a marble bathroom. Every villa at Viceroy Bali comes with its own private infinity pool (new Suites do not have a pool) and generous outdoor space, including your own thatched Balinese bale (pavilion), overlooking the magnificent emerald valley views. So regal is the appearance of your villa and the vistas it encompasses, you'll feel like a Balinese king or queen yourself and won't want to leave your palace!

Viceroy Bali has two restaurants and you won't be surprised both take advantage of the resort's lush jungle setting.

Cascades marries Indonesian and European cusine, with dishes like kaldu ikan (spiced fish broth) and nasi goreng (rice dish) dovetailing with beef tenderloin and truffle mushroom risotto. The gourmet menu, perfect for lunch or dinner, is only matched by the restaurant's valley-clinging position. While dining under its magnificent grass and bamboo-thatched roof you feel like you're on the edge of the world, looking over a jade-hued valley with only the sounds of its wildlife accompanying your meal.

Viceroy Bali's second restaurant, Apéritif Restaurant & Bar, has views of Ubud's verdant rainforest in one direction and lime-green paddy fields in the other. Focusing on fine-dining food in a setting that transports you back to a fashionable 1920s European dining room with its dark woods and studded leather furniture. Its menu is like a tour around the Indonesian archipelago, with dishes like rujak (an Indonesian fruit salad originating in Java) taking your taste buds around this fascinating country. With the restaurant headed up by a Belgian chef, delicious contemporary global cuisine also features, such as Hokkaido scallops and venison wellington. The bar itself boasts over 180 wine labels from all over the world, so you can sign off the evening in style.

Even though Viceroy Bali's villas are cocoons you'll find difficult to leave, its array of activities are all about experiencing the island's traditions and landscapes. The list is comprehensive and there's plenty to do for everyone. If you want something active, there are guided treks through rice paddy fields, cycle routes encompassing several local villages or even an epic hike up Mount Batur to see the sunrise from its summit. If you want a dose of culture, you can immerse yourself in Balinese traditions like kite making, cooking classes or even cultural dance lessons. Further afield, organised excursions can take you to wander a coffee plantation or observe nesting white herons near Petulu village. There is far more you can do and our highlights just scratch the surface!

Of course, Viceroy Bali is only a five-minute drive from the centre of Ubud and a day exploring this beguiling bohemian town should be near the top of your list. With its spiritual aura and artisan culture, there's nowhere quite like it.

On those balmy Bali days, there's nowhere better to relax than within the resort's hilltop infinity pool, with its wide-ranging valley views, waterfall and swim-up bar. Viceroy Bali's Lembah Spa is a two-storey sanctuary combining Western expertise with traditional Balinese techniques that have been handed down over generations to create a wealth of treatments that will make your body just as peaceful as the rural environment around you. Even Ubud, the town that lies only five minutes away by car, originates from the Balinese word obat, which translates as herb or medicine, so you're in the best healing hands. A yoga master is also on hand for private sessions either in the resort's gardens or the privacy of your villa.