A Boutique Retreat in Ubud Retains Its MICHELIN Key for 2026
The MICHELIN Guide announced its 2026 Key selection on 18 September, and Viceroy Bali kept just kept another One MICHELIN Key, meaning it is the second year in a row. For this independent boutique retreat in Ubud, open since 2005, the real achievement is not just earning the recognition but keeping it.
A Second Year in the MICHELIN Key Selection
Indonesia joined the MICHELIN Key selection in 2025 with 33 recognised properties. In 2026, that number grew to 47. The MICHELIN Guide now features over 9,000 hotels in more than 100 countries.
The Key is awarded based on five criteria: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, personality and character, value for the price, and a meaningful contribution to the neighbourhood or setting. These standards look beyond facilities and focus on how design, service, character, value, and the hotel’s connection to its surroundings create a complete experience.
For Viceroy Bali, keeping the Key shows its consistency. The setting, service, and sense of place that earned recognition in 2025 remain at the heart of the property in 2026.
The Ridge Above the Valley of the Kings
The property sits on a ridge above the Petanu gorge, overlooking the Valley of the Kings. Ubud is rich in archaeological and cultural sites like Goa Gajah, Tirta Empul, and the temple complex at Gunung Kawi. The nearby valleys and rivers have always been part of Bali’s cultural heritage.
That setting is central to the character of Viceroy Bali, where the valley is not simply a backdrop but part of the experience of staying there. The open view around Viceroy Bali is possible because of careful preservation. Protected land below the property keeps the valley sightline clear. In the early morning, mist fills the area; you can hear the river below and see villages and terraces across the valley.
The connection to the surrounding area also extends beyond the view. About 37% of the staff come from the nearby village of Petulu, and the rest are from surrounding areas. Local craftsmen care for the alang-alang thatched roofs.
A Boutique Retreat Built Around Forty Villas
Viceroy Bali offers 40 private pool villas, each facing the valley and featuring its own heated pool.
The heated pools make early mornings special. Ubud’s highland mornings can be surprisingly cool. Taking a dip in a warm pool at six in the morning, with mist in the gorge and the sun still below the valley floor, lets you enjoy the view as part of your morning, not just from the terrace.
Villa options range from the 150-square-metre Pool Suite to the 400-square-metre Viceroy Villa. Every villa includes a private heated pool and valley views.
Breakfast is made to order and can be served in your villa or at the bale, so you can enjoy your morning without leaving your room.
Dining Above the Gorge
There are three dining venues, each with its own unique view of the valley.
Apéritif Restaurant works to a single line of philosophy: European Technique. Indonesian Soul. The Guided by the Moon menu runs to five or seven courses, with vegetarian and vegan menus available. The restaurant also has its own wine cellar, with dinner designed to unfold at a relaxed pace.
CasCades Restaurant & Bar serves Indonesian cooking in a setting overlooking the gorge, including the nine-course Royal Balinese Rijsttafel. Every Monday evening, a Balinese dance performance adds another element of local culture to the restaurant.
Pinstripe Bar keeps the sunset. The hidden speakeasy-style bar combines marble, dark wood and bronze, with a cocktail list called The Clairvoyant, inspired by the work of Miguel Covarrubias. Live jazz, cigars, and the last light over the valley complete the setting.
Practice Verified by an Outside Body
In June 2026, Viceroy Bali became one of the first places in Ubud to earn GSTC Certification, assessed by Control Union, a GSTC-accredited body. This standard covers sustainable management, community benefits, cultural heritage, and environmental responsibility.
Day-to-day, these practices are clear. Water comes from a natural spring 80 meters deep in the surrounding mountains, treated by reverse osmosis and available as drinkable tap water throughout the property. An 18-step organic wastewater treatment system returns clean water to the local river. Bathroom amenities are refillable ceramic, organically made and locally sourced. The property has also eliminated single-use plastic bottles.
Local sourcing fits with the property’s overall approach. Shorter supply chains help cut transport emissions, and buying from nearby farmers and producers keeps more money in the local community.
These practices started before the certification. Since opening in 2005, Viceroy Bali has focused on environmental and community responsibility. The GSTC assessment simply confirmed this commitment.
Arriving and Staying
Central Ubud is around 10 to 15 minutes away by car. From Ngurah Rai International Airport, the journey takes approximately one and a half to two hours.
The second MICHELIN Key does not change what the property is. It places a formal mark beside a way of operating that has been in place for years: a small collection of private pool villas, a protected valley setting, locally rooted practices and a service philosophy built around continuity.
Arrange your stay above the Valley of the Kings.
