Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

Set in Bali’s dazzling green central highlands among 18 acres of gardens, this property’s Star Wars-esque architecture seems—well, rather alien at first. Once the shock of the incongruously mod elliptical white lobby building wears off, though, all is forgiven. The resort’s 42 freestanding villas, which overlook the tranquil Ayung River, organic vegetable gardens, lotus ponds, and small rice paddies, are harmonious with the surrounding nature. Each villa has a private terrace for soaking up the scenery, along with a plunge pool and a lounging pavilion; inside, each is lavishly appointed with teakwood cabinets and floors and hand-loomed Sulawesi silk upholstery. The resort’s three spa villas, nestled among terraced hillside greenery, are staffed with the best therapists in Ubud. The spa menu includes a menu of wraps, rubs, and herbal scrubs—but the real don’t-miss treatment is the Suci Dhara Ayurvedic treatment—which includes a relaxing scalp massage followed by a hypnotic warm-oil drip to open your third eye.

Tip: The Spa’s Ayurveda multi-page pre-treatment analysis form poses questions about your irritability, impatience, irregularity and premature hair loss…keep your sense of humor about you when you fill it out.

Room to book: River Villas 14-21 have the most privacy, as well as upstream views of the rushing Ayung River (and occasional bathing villagers).