Bali Hotel Review: Wana Shanti Villa at Ubud Bali Indonesia

Have I ever told you about my Bali trip? 

It was such a memorable escape—one that still lingers in my mind. My friends and I planned a one-week getaway, and during our stay, we decided to experience two different hotels just to soak in a variety of vibes and surroundings. 

One of the highlights of our Bali trip was experiencing the sacred Nyepi Day, also known as the Day of Silence. This happened during the first part of our stay at Wana Shanti Villa, a beautiful villa resort near Ubud. I booked our accommodation easily through the Trip app.

If you're planning to visit Bali during Nyepi, I’d recommend staying at a five-star hotel. While our experience wasn’t bad, food options were very limited — some hotels don’t serve food at all on this day. 

We came prepared with supermarket snacks and takeaway food from nearby cafes before everything closed, but as some of us are big eaters, it still wasn’t quite enough.

One of the biggest disappointments was the dining situation at our villa. They gave us a full menu, but after making our selections, we were repeatedly told items weren’t available — about 80% of the dishes were out of stock, which they didn’t mention upfront.

And yes, we also had the unique experience of browsing the menu in complete darkness and walking to the reception with absolutely no lights at all — it was pitch black. Definitely not for anyone afraid of total darkness!

On the bright side, the staff went out of their way to customise drinks for me when I wasn’t feeling well, blending special ingredients as a natural remedy. I really appreciated their effort and care despite the limitations.

Nyepi was a truly unique experience. For those unfamiliar, it’s a significant Hindu celebration in Bali that marks the Balinese New Year. But it’s not your typical festive holiday. It’s observed in complete silence. During Nyepi, no one is allowed to leave their homes or hotels, no lights can be turned on after dark, and essentially, all activity on the island comes to a halt. The streets are completely deserted—even the airport shuts down. While it might sound intense, it was actually very grounding. We were required to stay within the villa grounds, and it felt like time stood still. There was a deep sense of stillness and reflection in the air.

You can still turn on the lights inside your room, but make sure they aren’t visible from the outside or spilling out. There’s electricity, so you can comfortably use your laptop and charge your phone without any issues. (However, out of respect for the culture, it’s best to simply rest and relax.)

Coming back to why we chose Wana Shanti Villa, is mainly for its beautiful setting and peaceful environment—it looked absolutely dreamy in the photos, and in real life, it didn’t disappoint for photos. 

The property itself is a tranquil escape surrounded by nature, and the layout is a mix of private villas and single-room accommodations. 

My friends opted for the luxurious private villa, complete with its own pool, while I chose a one-bedroom unit with a balcony. 

It turned out to be perfect for me—I’m quite the introvert, so having my own cozy space to retreat to was just what I needed. 

That said, each room had a slightly different design in the same style, so we actually got to enjoy three different styles since we were all staying in separate rooms.

I spent a good amount of time there simply enjoying the silence, journaling, or just being still. When I craved company, I’d head over to their villa, and that’s where the fun happened—music, laughter, and lots of bonding moments.

All in all, the combination of spiritual stillness, natural beauty, and shared moments with friends made the trip to Wana Shanti and our time in Bali feel truly special. It was a beautiful mix of inner peace and joyful companionship—an experience I won’t forget anytime soon.

Although the choices were limited, our breakfast still looked pretty good — simple yet satisfying and even a bit aesthetically nice for photos. 

I’d also like to highlight one point for those who are sensitive to smells. In my bedroom unit, there was a strong sour, garbage-like odor coming from the bathroom ventilation fan — most likely from outside, perhaps facing a rubbish area (though I’m not entirely sure). Interestingly, during Nyepi, the smell disappeared, probably because it was a non-operational day. If possible, I recommend requesting not to stay in the first two bedroom units near the entrance — I stayed in the first unit, and that’s where the smell was most noticeable.

Aside from all that, we had a pleasant stay — we took lots of beautiful photos, enjoyed meaningful conversations during the Day of Silence, and truly appreciated the chance to slow down and reflect.

Details for your reference:

PRICES 

SGD$56.00/- per night

Location Address: 

📍𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚

Jl. Raya Penarungan Gg. Cendana Banjar Blumbang,
Penarungan, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80352, Indonesia

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