Shelter Island

Tucked along Jalan Sanggingan, Ubud's artistic thoroughfare, Shelter Island feels like stepping into a vintage postcard. Inspired by 60's-70's Riviera glamour, this eight-room guesthouse captures that easy-breezy holiday spirit with bold reds, yellows, blues, and greens against Bali's natural palette.The property sits in Ubud's gallery district, where Neka Art Museum and local galleries line the road just minutes away. What makes this spot brilliant is how it balances that coveted Sanggingan address with intimate, artful accommodations. Local artists adorn the walls while natural Balinese sounds create the perfect backdrop.Each room tells its own story through carefully chosen artwork. The Suite Room showcases murals by local artists, while the Gallery Room highlights Indonesian pieces from the Black Hand Gang collective. The cleverly designed Family Room features custom bunk beds, and the secluded Pool Room gives you prime swimming views with extra privacy.The property comes alive naturally throughout the day. Mornings see guests reading in the lobby library or lounging poolside. Afternoons bring relaxed energy as people return from gallery walks. Evening is when the magic happens - Room 4 Dessert restaurant next door means you're steps from one of Ubud's most celebrated dining experiences.What sets Shelter Island apart is how it feels like staying at a friend's brilliantly designed home. The scale is perfect - intimate enough to recognize other guests, but spacious enough that you never feel crowded. This captures both Ubud's creative energy and that timeless vacation vibe where every day feels effortlessly good.

We stumbled across Shelter Island while wandering Sanggingan after visiting the Neka Art Museum, drawn in by the gorgeous retro colors spilling onto the street. The moment we stepped inside, it felt like finding exactly what we'd been looking for in Ubud - something artistic and authentic without being pretentious.Our Gallery Room became the perfect base, with Indonesian artwork creating an incredible backdrop for lazy mornings. The pool quickly became our coffee spot and afternoon decompression zone. There's something about the colorful loungers and how the artwork catches the light that just makes you want to linger way longer than planned.The real highlight was being so close to Room 4 Dessert - we could walk out our door and be at one of Bali's most innovative restaurants in thirty seconds. After our incredible 21-course dessert experience, we came back feeling like we'd had the perfect night out without any hassle.What struck us most was how the place attracted exactly the right travelers - people interested in art, food, and authentic experiences. We ended up having brilliant conversations by the pool with other guests about hidden temples and local galleries. The atmosphere naturally encouraged these connections without feeling forced.