UBUD BALI HOTELS

Ubud literrally means" medicine" in Balinese and it has been renowned as a place of healing energies for centuries. It is perhaps, some say these healing energies that have aroused the artistic bent and talents of many of its citizen as well as attracting a loyal band of expatriate artists. In Ubud you can find a real melting pot of every kind of artistic endeavour. Here, Balinese dance and traditional gamelans ( orchestras) rub shoulders with the alternative art form that is " tattooing". Yet, a harmony prevails, and all expressions are respected and embraced. this tolerance was kicked off early in the twentieth century with the arrival of walter Spies the German painter, chereographer and musician and Dutch artist Rudolf Bonnet.

Let us, therefore go back to 1925, when the then current Prince of Ubud, Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati, was studying in Denpasar. He had already been appointed head of the Palace by his grandfather at the tender age of eight and was just fifteen when he began his acquaintance with what were probably the first tourists to the island. These tourists were staying at the only reasonable hotel on the island, which was close to where the Prince was studying. Friendships ensued and the Prince invited the tourists as guests to his palace in Ubud. He saw an opportunity of being able to somehow help the local " Ubud-ians" dyring the tough economic situation under colonial rule. The invitation was readily accepted.