The Royal Purnama
bali, indonesia · ★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
The Royal Purnama is one of Bali's most underrated romantic retreats — a boutique adults-only property in the Sukawati area, halfway between Ubud and the south coast, with genuine rice terrace views and a peaceful atmosphere that very few travellers know about. This is not a famous hotel and that is exactly the point: no tour groups, no Instagram queues, no crowds. The location between Ubud and the coast gives you access to both Bali's cultural interior and a driveable beach in a single base. Best for: discerning honeymooners who want boutique scale, authentic Balinese landscape, and the smug satisfaction of having found somewhere genuinely off the mainstream radar. Skip it if: you need a brand name for confidence, extensive on-site amenities, or immediate beach access.
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Want a direct beachfront
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
60/100
At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
Request a Rice Terrace Pool Villa — these units look directly out over the working rice paddies that surround the property, with private pools on the terrace. The view is everything at the Royal Purnama: emerald terraces, coconut palms, and the quiet of rural Bali. Ask for a villa on the outer edge of the property for the most unobstructed rice field panorama. Early morning from your pool watching the terraces steam is the defining Royal Purnama experience.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 7 nights Rice Terrace Pool Villa | $2800–$5600 |
| Flights to Bali (per couple, from US) | $1800–$3200 |
| Private driver for day trips (7 days) | $350–$420 |
| Dining (7 days, mix of hotel, Ubud, and Sanur) | $600–$1000 |
| Spa day (couples Balinese massage) | $140–$220 |
| Temple visits & cultural experiences | $80–$150 |
| Total (estimated) | $5770–$10590 |
Book Your Stay
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Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Arrival & Rural Bali at Dusk
The drive from Denpasar takes 45–60 minutes through the increasingly rural landscape of Sukawati district. Arriving at the Royal Purnama, the contrast with resort Bali is immediate — rice paddies, birdsong, and an almost total absence of other tourists. Check in, find your villa terrace, and watch the last light on the rice terraces with whatever the kitchen can send up. The silence here is genuinely extraordinary.
Dawn Rice Terrace Walk & Balinese Spa
Walk the property's rice field paths at 6am before the sun gets warm — the terraces at dawn, with water reflecting the sky, are one of Bali's great free experiences. Back for villa breakfast. Book a couples Balinese massage for the afternoon — the spa uses local techniques and ingredients (coconut, frangipani, volcanic clay) that are the genuine article. Late afternoon in the pool watching the sun drop behind the rice fields.
Ubud Day — The Best of Bali's Cultural Capital
Ubud is 25 minutes north by car. Spend the morning at Tegallalang rice terraces (before 9am for the best experience), then central Ubud: the Sacred Monkey Forest, Puri Saren royal palace, and the art market for batik and silverwork. Lunch at Locavore or Hujan Locale — both are excellent and booking ahead is essential. Visit the Blanco Renaissance Museum for a beautiful afternoon detour before returning. The Royal Purnama's mid-point location makes Ubud day trips very easy.
Sukawati Art Market & Batik Village
The Royal Purnama sits right next to Sukawati village, which has one of Bali's best traditional art markets — textiles, masks, wooden carvings, and ceremonial items priced for locals rather than tourists. Arrive before 8am for the full experience before it gets crowded. Sukawati is also the centre of Bali's shadow puppet tradition; ask the hotel to arrange a private dalang (puppet master) performance in the evening. Genuinely rare and romantic.
Tirta Empul, Kintamani & Volcano Views
The central highland drive from Sukawati to Kintamani passes through the heart of rural Bali. Stop at Tirta Empul holy spring temple for the purification experience, then continue uphill to Kintamani for lunch with the Mount Batur volcano and crater lake spread below you. The landscape is dramatic and the drive through clove and coffee plantations is beautiful. Return via Ubud for sundowners at a rooftop bar.
Beach Day at Sanur & Private Villa Dinner
Sanur beach — calm, reef-protected, and genuinely pleasant — is 30 minutes south. Spend the morning there for a taste of coastal Bali: good snorkelling, traditional jukung fishing boats, and the low-key Sanur promenade. Return to the Royal Purnama by midday. Ask reception to arrange a private dinner on your villa terrace for the evening — candlelit, rice terrace backdrop, Balinese cuisine. This is the most romantic night of the trip.
Final Morning & Slow Departure
No alarm. Stay in bed, have breakfast delivered to the villa, and lie in your pool as long as you can. The Royal Purnama's quiet becomes almost unbearably pleasant by the last morning. The drive to Denpasar airport takes 45–60 minutes — efficient enough that you can request a genuine late checkout and still make your flight. Take the slow roads through the village on the way out.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
Boutique scale means limited on-site dining and activity options. The restaurant is good but small; you will want to drive out for dinner at least half the nights. Having a private driver is not optional here — it is essential.
Sukawati is not a famous or glamorous address. Saying 'we stayed at the Royal Purnama' will not impress people who want recognisable luxury brands. The value here is in what you actually experience, not the name.
No beach on-site. Sanur is the closest beach (30 min); the more popular Seminyak and Kuta are 45–60 minutes. You are primarily a rural Ubud-adjacent retreat.
The rice terraces surrounding the property are working farmland. Dawn and dusk bring the sights and sounds of real Balinese agricultural life — tractors, water pumps, and farmers at work. This is authentic, not a performance, but worth knowing in advance.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon Stay — [Your Names] — Check-in [Date] Dear The Royal Purnama Team, My partner and I are honeymooning at your property from [check-in date] to [check-out date] (Booking reference: [reference]). We would be very grateful for two things: 1. We have booked a Rice Terrace Pool Villa — could you assign us the villa with the most unobstructed rice terrace view in our category? This is the view we are most looking forward to. 2. We would love to arrange a private candlelit dinner on our villa terrace on the evening of [preferred date]. Could you let us know what is possible? This is our honeymoon and we chose the Royal Purnama specifically because we wanted something real and away from the tourist trail. We are very much looking forward to it. With warm regards, [Your Names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is The Royal Purnama good for a honeymoon?
Yes — it is a genuine hidden gem. Boutique scale, rice terrace views, great spa, and a peaceful rural location that keeps you away from the crowds. The mid-point position between Ubud and the coast gives you the best of both. Best for couples who want the real Bali experience over branded luxury comfort.
Best villa for honeymooners at The Royal Purnama?
Request a Rice Terrace Pool Villa on the outer edge of the property — the one with the most unobstructed view of the surrounding paddies. The private pool with the rice terrace panorama is the defining Royal Purnama experience. Call or email the hotel directly to request specific placement; they are boutique enough to accommodate it.
Best time to visit Bali for a honeymoon?
April through October is the dry season and best for Bali broadly. For the Sukawati area, May, June, and September are ideal — weather is reliable, the rice terraces are lushest after the wet season ends, and visitor numbers are lower than the July–August peak. Avoid December through February for Ubud-adjacent locations.
Where is The Royal Purnama and how do you get there?
The Royal Purnama is in Sukawati, a traditional artisan village midway between Ubud and the south coast, about 45–60 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar. Hire a private driver through the hotel or a trusted local agency — a car is essential at this location. The drive from the airport passes through increasingly rural Bali and the transition is beautiful.
What day trips and activities to do from The Royal Purnama?
Sukawati art market (walking distance), Ubud centre and Tegallalang (25 min), Tirta Empul holy spring (35 min), Sanur beach (30 min), Kintamani volcano views (60 min), Tanah Lot sea temple (60 min west), and traditional shadow puppet performances (arrange through the hotel). A private driver at $50/day is essential to access all of these.
Insider tip for honeymooners at The Royal Purnama?
Ask the hotel to arrange a private Balinese dalang (shadow puppet master) performance at the property for one evening. Sukawati is the traditional home of Bali's wayang kulit shadow puppet tradition, and the hotel can connect you with local performers. Watching an ancient spiritual art form performed by firelight in your villa garden is as genuinely Balinese as honeymoon experiences get.
Same Vibe, Different Destination
