Site Inspection at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan in Ubud Bali, Indonesia

Introduction to Four Seasons Resort at Sayan

Four Seasons Resort at Sayan is situated off the cliffs and rice paddies of Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Due to traffic from anywhere else on the island, it can take from 1.5 to 2 hours to get to Ubud. It's just Bali traffic. Likewise, if this is your destination, allow plenty of time to get to the airport.

I highly recommend you have the resort arrange transportation for you. It will take the stress out of it for you. The cars they provide are in excellent and clean condition. Once you exit immigration, they will help with your luggage. When you depart, they will help with bringing your luggage to check-in.

The resort is a mixture of individual villas and a main hotel building. If privacy is what you seek, then staying in a villa is what you would want. As you enter the lobby, you will hear the river down below and a few screams of the rafting trips (I’ll get to that later). On my trip we encountered many honeymooners, so if romanticism is what you are seeking, this is the place for you, too. The resort has everything you need, from planned activities to multiple restaurants. Once you step foot onto the resort, you will not want to leave.

The Rooms

I recommend Four Seasons Resort at Sayan to my clients looking for a luxury experience. Whether you are on a spiritual, Eat, Pray, Love-trip, a honeymoon or looking for a way to disconnect and recharge, the Four Seasons Resort at Sayan will be for you. If you are a solo traveler, you will enjoy this place as much as a couple on their honeymoon. The staff will get to know you and become your friends. It is that kind of place. This is a stunning resort. Reach out and let me help plan your perfect Bali vacation!

There are several types of rooms, one-bedroom suites, duplexes, one-bedroom villas, two-bedroom villas, to a royal villa. I stayed in a one-bedroom villa. It’s important to note that the suites contain separate living rooms, while the villas do not. The suites are in the main building and the villas are scattered throughout the properly as separate buildings.

The suites are central to the resort and is a short walk to explore the immediate amenities of the property. The villas are walkable, but some require walking up and down inclines, but you can call for a “buggie” (Golf Cart) and they can whisk you away to your villa.

I stayed in a villa that had a plunge pool and fully enjoyed it. There is a main pool that is small and quiet for the most part. If you want privacy, go for a villa with a plunge pool. The resort will bring to your room anything you need, like food and drinks, for instance.

The Food

The Four Seasons Resort at Syan is a foodie paradise. Each morning, you can eat from around the world as the breakfast options offer cuisines from around the world. Breakfast options range from healthy to indulgent (a whole lobster if you choose).

At night, the same restaurant is turned into a Balinese restaurant, where it offers Balinese food. On a Tuesday night, they offered a Balinese BBQ buffet. Grilled vegetables, beef, seafood, prepared in a Balinese style. If you are a vegetarian, they have options too. Don’t forget to check out the dessert room.

If you have food allergies, the resort is extremely careful and can accommodate you with your dietary needs. I have a coconut allergy and they could prepare my food without coconut.

The highlight dinner during my stay was the Chef’s Table at Sokasi. There are only ten seats to this restaurant and offered on certain nights of the week. I would recommend booking this as soon as you can. The head chef of the hotel prepares the food right in front of you. You are literally sitting in front of the chef as he prepares your food.

The Activities (Experiences)

As I have mentioned, you don’t have to leave the resort even for activities. They have a calendar of activities that you can choose from. They book up fast, so if you have things that you absolutely want to do, book them by emailing the concierge. Once you have made your reservation, the concierge is at your service. If you do not participate in any activities, do stop by the lobby for the Balinese music and dance show. Arrive a little early to be able to have a cocktail as you watch the sunset. The seats will fill up, so plan accordingly.

These are the recommended activities that I participated in:

• Sokasi Cooking School – If you are a foodie, the cooking school is great. The Sous Chef Gusti will immerse you in Balinese food. You will be an expert in cooking Balinese food after this.

• Batik Painting – Learning about Balinese batik painting was a great experience. The method of batik painting is quite intricate and plus, you get to take a souvenir that you made back home.

• Cocktail Class – The staff here at the Four Seasons Resort at Sayan are well-trained. The bartenders are true mixologists, they enjoy their craft and they enjoy teaching you their craft. At the cocktail class, you will learn bartending 101 and learn how to make some of the cocktails they offer. One of their bartenders, Karang will teach you the art of mixing and making cocktails.

• Sacred Nap – At the sacred nap, the instructor will talk and instruct you on how to relax and take a nap. You will be cradled into a hammock in a serene part of the resort. They will lull you to sleep. If you want to be refreshed, I highly recommend the sacred nap experience.

• Spiritual Meditation – Through the spa, the resort arranged for a meditation and relaxation session with Sri Guru. The is a spiritual leader in Bali and he will teach you meditation methods. My wife really enjoyed her session with Sri Guru.

There are plenty of more activities that are offered, including a rafting experience, riverside picnic, biking experience, rice farmer experience and a secret spot tour. I would be more than happy to help you plan out your activities. It is super convenient to not have to leave the resort. Just wake up, have breakfast and go to your activity.

Spa and Wellness

I am not a huge spa person, but there is a wonderful spa on site, that offers a variety of treatments. If you prefer not to go to the spa, they can bring the spa to you. My wife could have an in-room massage right by the plunge pool. If spirituality and healing is what you are looking for, the spa can arrange for that. That is what Balinese culture is about.

I really enjoyed my stay at the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. My wife and I left the resort once to grab dinner somewhere else. At these types of resorts, you really want to take advantage of everything the resort has to offer because it is top-notch. Make this your final stop or your only stop of your trip.

I recommend Four Seasons Resort at Sayan to my clients looking for a luxury experience. Whether you are on a spiritual, Eat, Pray, Love trip, a honeymoon, or looking for a way to disconnect and recharge, the Four Seasons Resort at Sayan will be for you. If you are a solo traveler, you will enjoy this place as much as a couple on their honeymoon. The staff will get to know you and become your friends. It is that kind of place. This is a stunning resort. Reach out and let me help plan your perfect Bali vacation!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Bali. In need of further inspiration? Check out Alberto Mussali‘s guide, The Ultimate Luxury Getaway in Ubud, Bali.