Wapa di Ume Sidemen: A Hidden Paradise in East Bali

Situated in the middle of verdant rice terraces in the remote hills of East Bali, Wapa di Ume Sidemen is a five-star boutique resort like no other on the island. Mirroring a traditional Indonesian village, it is an exceptionally designed property with panoramic views of the surrounding hills, local villages, paddy fields and the majestic Mount Agung in the backdrop. 

At one with nature, the resort also has an access to the serene Unda river – the harmony of which can be heard throughout the premises. Many reviews compare Sidemen to the calmness of Ubud of yesteryear, and after having been there, I can totally understand why. This part of Bali truly feels like it belongs in a different era, filled with tranquillity and peace.

If you are looking to experience Bali beyond the typical tourist trail, definitely put Wapa di Ume Sidemen on your list. Having spent two memorable nights there recently, I can promise you that you would want to just keep on coming back. 

Read on as I walk you through the entire experience of staying at Wapa di Ume Sidemen along with all the amenities and activities that make it a luxurious paradise.

Disclaimer: I was kindly hosted by Wapa di Ume Sidemen for a two-night stay, but as always, all thoughts and opinions stated here are my own. This post also contains affiliate links.

General Information

Arriving at Wapa di Ume Sidemen

Wapa di Ume Sidemen is located away from the busy towns amidst verdant hills and rice paddies in the village of Sidemen in the Eastern part of Bali. Sidemen is what Ubud used to be like over 10 years ago – a nature lover’s paradise with views of the valley, distant hills, and rice plantations everywhere you look.

To get there, I booked a private taxi with my friend Putu from Bali Travel Monkey and I would recommend you to do the same as it can be difficult to navigate the mountain roads on your own. Wapa di Ume Sidemen is approximately an hour and a half drive from Ubud and nearly two hours from Canggu. If you are coming from the airport, you can also arrange for a pick-up with the hotel directly. 

Once you are in Sidemen, it is easy to roam around as the resort offers free bikes for all in-house guests.

Checking in and First Impressions

Very rarely do you step into a hotel’s reception and be transported to a world of peace. But, when that happens, you know that you are going to have an incredible time. 

The front desk of Wapa di Ume Sidemen where their kind team received us has a view that will make you forget all your worries. It is an open bamboo space made in traditional Balinese architecture overlooking endless paddy fields encircled by mountains. There is absolutely no construction in sight and it feels as if the property is enveloped in nature.

After admiring the view, we were walked through the check-in procedure and presented with cold towels and a refreshing drink which was much appreciated on a hot day. But what really stood out to me was what followed. Paying homage to the Balinese culture, a member of the staff asked us to perform a small ritual to ensure we have a pleasant stay.

We were first blessed by water and then gifted the Tridatu bracelet that the team tied on our right wrists. The Tridatu bracelet is a simple yarn threaded wristband made with three colours (red, black and white) embodying the Trimurti, the Balinese-Hindu’s three manifestations of God (Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva). This small, yet beautiful gesture made us feel like family as soon as we arrived.

Our Room: The One Bedroom Pool Villa

Being a boutique property, Wapa di Ume Sidemen only has 21 naturally-lit and airy rooms to pick from. This ensures that all guests have a private, personalised experience and get to truly take in the peaceful surroundings of the property. You can choose from three different room categories, each of which comes with its own private balcony or terrace.

The budget-friendly options are Lanai Room and Di Ume Suite, but we stayed in their One Bedroom Pool Villa. This 118 sqm private villa comes with a king sized bed overlooking the panoramic hillside, a nice daybed to lounge in and plenty of outdoor space. The bathroom is equipped with a semi-open air shower, his and her sinks, and a sunken bath with a beautiful view.

Even though this is the most expensive room category at the property, having your own private pool to soak in the magical view is worth every cent. If you don’t feel like swimming, there is even a vital sinking lounger to admire the surroundings. Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, hairdryer, bathrobes and toiletries are available in every room.  

CG’s tip: There are only 5 one bedroom pool villas at Wapa di Ume Sidemen so make sure to book yours well in advance. They get sold out pretty quickly!

Dining at Wapa di Ume Sidemen

Wapa di Ume Sidemen has only one restaurant accommodating 70 covers called Sleeping Gajah Kitchen and Lounge. It is an open air eatery with an incredible view of the rainforest and distant hills from every table on site. In fact, the restaurant is even named after one such hill which looks like a sleeping elephant as the word Gajah means elephant in Bahasa. 

Sleeping Gajah Kitchen and Lounge is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests staying at the resort can also have the complimentary afternoon tea here overlooking the infinity pools. The restaurant is also open to non-guests so everyone can enjoy the delicacies as the food really is top-notch. They even have a 4.9 rating on Google!

We had all three meals there on both the days that we stayed at Wapa di Ume Sidemen and I have to tell you that I absolutely loved it. As a vegetarian, I don’t often find multiple options when dining at hotels in other countries so I like that they have dedicated menu pages catering to different dietary requirements. Plus, the staff is perfectly happy to modify the other dishes as per request. 

The breakfast is served on an a la carte basis. You can choose one of tea/coffee, one fresh seasonal juice, and one dish each from the light and the main breakfast menu per person. The light breakfast menu includes cereal, bread basket, fresh fruit platter, etc. while the main menu has avocado toast, eggs, pancakes and more. I of course got avocado toast on both days!

For lunch and dinner, there is a wide variety of both Indonesian and Western dishes (menu). My favourites were Cauliflower Chimichurri, Tebola Yellow Curry, Nasi/Mie Goreng and Gado Gado. I also tried their Spaghetti Aglio Olio and was really impressed. Everything from the service to the taste and presentation was perfect. And the prices are reasonable too.

Wapa di Ume Sidemen also has a bar called Bar57, serving an extensive selection of cocktails and wines. It is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with happy hours from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m..

Facilities and Experiences

Being a five-star resort, you can expect that you would find nearly every facility that you are looking for in a luxury property at Wapa di Ume Sidemen. And as if that in itself isn’t enough, they also offer several daily activities to keep the guests engaged and make the overall experience even more memorable.

Swimming Pool

Starting with my absolute favourite, Wapa di Ume Sidemen has an incredibly photogenic two-tier infinity pool with a sweeping view of the valley and its lush green surroundings. Both the levels offer an unique perspective of the stunning scenery so there is always more to admire when being in the water.  

The swimming pools are located just below the Sleeping Gajah restaurant and it is also possible to enjoy your meals by the poolside. There are plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas at both levels along with some daybeds in the shade near the main pool. You can easily spend a day or two simply lounging there.

The pool timings at Wapa di Ume Sidemen are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and non-guests can also get access to the common area by purchasing a day pass. Even then, it never feels too busy due to its unobstructed views of the Unda River.

Kapha Spa

No luxury resort in Bali is complete without a splendid spa, so of course Wapa di Ume Sidemen has got that covered too. Known as Kapha Spa, the in-house spa of the resort is designed in an open concept where you will get to have a massage overlooking the beautiful hills while listening to the melody of the natural Unda River flowing in front. 

Kapha Spa has three treatment rooms with a similar setting of two massage beds and a stone bathtub facing the secluded Sidemen scenery in each. I decided to indulge in the traditional Balinese massage followed by a beautiful flower bath while there and loved every second of it. 

My masseuse, Erika, welcomed me with a relaxing cup of tea and a choice of three essential oils for my massage. I went with the Crystal breeze oil for my treatment but had such a hard time picking one as they all smelled amazing. The massage itself was also every bit as rejuvenating as expected and I loved waking up to a beautifully prepared flower bath. 

If you are planning to stay at Wapa di Ume Sidemen, then I highly recommend trying one of their treatments. I had massages all over Bali and the one here was one of my favourites. Just make sure to book an appointment in advance as they can get booked out. Kapha Spa is operational from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday.

Yoga & Fitness Centre

If staying fit during your holidays is important for you, you would be happy to know that Wapa di Ume Sidemen has a beautiful Yoga Pavilion and a well-equipped Fitness Centre.

Continuing the open-concept, the yoga pavilion is built under a thatched roof with natural light flowing in from all sides. It is located right above the Kapha Spa and is also surrounded with tropical gardens, palm trees and the verdant hills. If you would like to practise yoga, the resort offers daily complimentary classes to all guests staying at the property. 

For a more intense workout, the fitness centre located next to the lower infinity pool is also great. The space in itself is small, but you would find most of the state-of-the-art equipment necessary for a workout in the gym. Plus, the view of the pool from there is beautiful too.

Daily Guest Activities

Other than these, there is also an additional set of activities that guests can take part in when staying at Wapa di Ume Sidemen. From complimentary cultural demonstrations to land and water experiences, there is an array of activities to choose from and keep yourself busy while getting to know Sidemen better. 

I absolutely love that they offer a complimentary two hour Sidemen tour every day to show guests more of their home. Most of the team at Wapa di Ume Sidemen is from the nearby villages so it is very special learning about the area from them. There are also daily Sidemen Songket Weaving and Balinese Offering Demonstration activities.

If you like trekking, there is even a free daily light trek in the morning and it is also possible to go on advanced treks for an additional cost. Bicycle tours and Telaga water rafting are also available at additional costs so you will probably never be bored.

Special Experiences

From a Balinese cooking class by the river to dining under the stars and floating breakfasts, there are also several special experiences that you can book when staying at Wapa di Ume Sidemen. 

Floating breakfast is one of the must do things in Bali. And unlike most properties, guests at Wapa di Ume Sidemen can enjoy it even when not staying in the pool villas. For a small additional charge, you can request to have your floating breakfast in the main infinity pool. This offer is also open to non-guests, which is amazing if you ask me.

I personally am a big fan of cooking classes too, but unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to do one during our stay. If you are planning to do it on your trip, make sure to reach out to the hotel in advance and book it from before. It seriously looks amazing!

Places to see near Wapa di Ume Sidemen

Although Wapa di Ume Sidemen is located away from the main touristy areas of Bali, you would be surprised to know how it is actually a better base to explore the landmarks in East Bali. Here are some of the nearby attractions that you can visit:

Pura Lempuyang Temple: Also known as the Gate of Heaven, Pura Lempuyang Temple is probably the most popular Instagram spot in Bali. Most people visit it on a long day trip from Ubud, but going from Sidemen is more convenient as it is only a one-hour drive from the hotel. Just don’t forget to go before it gets too busy!

Tirta Gangga Water Palace: Tirta Gangga is a former royal palace with beautiful bathing pools, picturesque ponds filled with koi fishes and a Patirthan temple. It is another one of the must-see spots in Bali which is only 50 minutes from Wapa di Ume Sidemen.

Bukit Cinta: This viewpoint in East Bali has one of the most beautiful views of Mount Agung and is definitely worth a visit. It is also located 50 minutes away from the hotel and can be combined with any of the above mentioned spots. Try going at sunrise on a clear day if you can, trust me you won’t regret it.

Tukad Cepung Waterfall: If waterfalls are more of your thing, you cannot miss this famous one where the waterfall is inside a cave, which is accessed through a forest. It is especially beautiful during mid-morning hours when the light rays fall directly onto it, making the scene even more ethereal. Tukad Cepung Waterfall is a 45-minute drive from the hotel.

Gembleng Waterfall: Located less than 25 minutes from Wapa di Ume Sidemen, this is a very unique waterfall that should be on your East Bali itinerary. It is a lesser known spot with several plunge pools that are perfect for taking a dip and enjoying the infinity view. 

Besakih Temple: For more cultural tourism, you can check out Besakih Temple which is also known as the Mother Temple of Bali. It is the largest, holiest, and the most important temple of Balinese Hinduism on the island. It takes roughly 40 minutes to get there from Wapa di Ume Sidemen.

Ujung Water Palace: Last but not the least, this other former royal palace in Karangasem Regency is also worth checking out. It has a beautiful park, a water palace and a large fish pond along with an incredible view of Mount Agung from the top. It is also known as Taman Ujung Water Palace and is approximately 50 minutes from the hotel.

Some other attractions that you can also visit from Wapa di Ume Sidemen are La Montagne Coffee, Tibumana Waterfall, Goa Raja Waterfall, Kanto Lampo Waterfall and Lahagan Sweet.

Final Thoughts

Every moment at Wapa di Ume Sidemen was a pure bliss and I hope reading this post gave you an insight into the experience of staying there. From the gently flowing river throughout the property to the serene surroundings and the leisurely number of rooms, everything about this resort checked the list for me.

If you are looking for a peaceful stay in Bali, then don’t give this a miss. The location is truly unique and there is heaps to do for those who want to be active. I loved my time there so much that I would return in a heartbeat. Hopefully, sooner rather than later!

In case there is anything that you would like to know about Wapa di Ume Sidemen, please feel free to leave me a comment below. I am happy to answer all your questions!

Happy exploring, 
Charu xx

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