12 April, 2016
Located just outside the heart of Ubud, Bali amidst rice paddies, artisan boutiques and luscious hanging gardens, the newly opened Shift Hotel offers a more relaxed vibe to Ubud's otherwise more serious resorts and traditional guesthouses. The spacious modern rooms surround a stone swimming pool with palm trees and greenery and a rooftop terrace hosts a vegan eatery and the hotel's yoga and meditation studio. Situated a 20-minute walk from the touristic centre of Ubud the hotel has a 'locals only' feel to it. Curated events include movie screenings, pop-up markets and live DJ deep house dance nights in the yoga studio.
Rooms range from deluxe to suite pool starting as low as £32 per night. For £52, a suite pool room includes direct access to the swimming pool. All rooms are air-conditioned and have comfortable king-sized beds, en suite bathrooms with a bath or shower, organic toiletries (hairdryer upon request) a small zen garden, minibars and laptop safes. Breakfast is included.
The hotel's rooftop terrace is home to a vegan eatery offering breakfast parfaits such as the GET UP! (mint yogurt, muesli, watermelon, pineapple, sprouted almonds and mixed berries) and a wide selection of coffees all served with coconut or almond milk.
The same eatery stays open for lunch and dinner offering a wide variety of plant-based dishes, organic wines and beer. The menu is created in collaboration with Alchemy Bali, the island's first 100 per cent raw vegan restaurant and juice bar located a stone's throw from the hotel.Try the Buddha bowl salad for lunch and the nacho plate and California maki nori for dinner.
The rooftop bar serves wine and beer by the bottle.
Concierge service, complimentary WiFi, in-room dining, outdoor pool, garden, 24-hour fitness centre, laundry service, sauna, table tennis, library, bicycle rental, daily yoga and meditation classes.
All rooms and the hotel grounds are strictly non-smoking. Price does not include tax and service. An additional 3 per cent charge will be added to all credit card payments.
Alchemy, Bali's very first 100 per cent raw vegan café and juice bar complete with a health food store and holistic clinic. Sari Organik Penestanan, a raw food, organic produce and health food market. The Blanco Renaissance Museum. Blanco, inarguably the most famous and successful artist to ever live in Bali, built his magnificent studio on top of a mountain overlooking the Campuhan River. A short walk down the hill leads you through hanging gardens and towards many boutiques selling artifacts from Bali as well as Papua New Guinea.