Perched adjacent to steep rice terraces with sweeping views across the Ayung river gorge to the ancient Pura Penataran Dalem Segara temple on the opposite hillside, Ubud Hanging Gardens derives its name from its villas, all constructed in contemporary Balinese style on gravity defying wooden pillars with thatched alang-alang roofs. The resort�s accommodations, restaurants, pool, and spa cascade down the hillside to the valley floor below and are reached by a unique private funicular.

Accommodations consist of 30 individual Deluxe Pool Villas, six Pool Villa Suites, and two two-bedroom Family Pool Villas.  The villas were designed by Anglo/French architect Gordon Shaw and all have king-sized four-poster beds, handmade batik cotton fabrics, an interior bathroom with hand molded baths, terraces with open air showers and dramatic Java stone plunge pools with adjoining Bales (a traditional Balinese relaxation area). Precious woods are found throughout the property, including Merbau flooring for the interiors, Benkirai for the exteriors and with traditional Balinese sculpted doors. 

Exceptional attention was also paid to the grounds of the property.  In addition to the individual private plunge pools, there is a vast elliptical infinity pool, which hugs the natural curves of the hillside and the surrounding rice terraces.  The resort�s garden was conceived by the landscape architect William Warren and John Pettigrew, renowned for creating the gardens at Begawan Giri. 

The Ayung Spa is located on the riverbank surrounded by rich rainforests and waterfalls and has three restful spa pavilions. Each pavilion consists of two large therapy areas: one with two massage beds and a Balinese sofa, the other with a dressing area and bathroom with a deep-soaking tub overlooking the river.

Guests are also pampered with superb culinary delights.  The gourmet Béduur restaurant features both Balinese and French cuisine and has a dramatic view of the far side of the valley from an al fresco dining terrace. The more informal Diatas Pohon Café serves a light and healthy menu. The resort�s Bukit Bacik bar near the main pool offers an excellent setting for a tropical sunset drink.

Ubud, named as a place of healing or "obat," has long been a retreat for those seeking peace of mind and artistic inspiration.  This vibrant and bustling little town has a wonderful variety of studios, galleries and restaurants and a seemingly endless calendar of traditional festivals and religious ceremonies.

In 2004, Orient-Express Hotels invested in Hosia Ltd., the Hong Kong holding company which owns or part owns and operates 6 unique hotels in Southeast Asia under the brand name Pansea Orient-Express Hotels. Under the terms of the deal, Orient-Express Hotels will invest up to US$8 million in the Pansea group. This is initially a loan, convertible into equity in Hosia Ltd.  Orient-Express has an option to buy 100 per cent of the shares in Hosia over a period of five years. Pansea has a number of development plans and this partnership will accelerate those plans. 

There are now six operational Pansea Orient-Express hotels:

• La Résidence d�Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
• The Governor�s Residence, Yangon, Myanmar
• Napasai, Koh Samui, Thailand
• La Résidence Phou Vao, Luang Prabang, Laos
• Jimbaran Puri Bali, Bali, Indonesia
• Ubud Hanging Gardens, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Orient-Express Hotels
www.orient-express.com