We stayed here

Shelter Island
“A retro-chic boutique guesthouse inspired by 60s-70s Riviera glamour, featuring vibrant colors and local artworks along Ubud's artistic Sanggingan strip. Eight uniquely designed rooms surround a refreshing pool, with world-renowned Room 4 Dessert restaurant right next door.”
About 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.
Our experience
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.
Book the Gallery Room or Suite Room if you're art lovers - the curated pieces genuinely make your stay feel like living in a beautiful exhibition. The Pool Room is perfect for couples wanting extra privacy. Make your Room 4 Dessert reservation before arriving in Bali - it's seriously popular and you'll regret missing out on being next door to one of the world's most innovative dessert experiences.
The Sanggingan location is perfect for gallery hopping - Neka Art Museum is five minutes away, with countless smaller galleries within easy reach. Ask staff for current exhibition recommendations, as they always know what's worth seeing. The combination of staying at Shelter Island and dining at Room 4 Dessert creates incredible immersion into Ubud's creative culture that you simply can't get elsewhere.
What this place offers

About Grace & Robbin
We’re a couple who completely fell head over heels for Bali and couldn’t keep it to ourselves. Grace has called the island home for most of her life, bringing deep local knowledge, while Robbin came from the Netherlands for an internship and never left. Everything here is somewhere we’ve been in person — no sponsored posts, no paid placements.
stays nearby
We stayed hereArkamara
“Arkamara sits peacefully along a quiet road in Singakerta, where rice paddies meet tropical jung”
We stayed hereVije
“Situated close to the spiritual and cultural center of Ubud in Bali's central foothills, Vije Bo”
We stayed hereDewi Kunti Villa
“This brand-new 4-star villa sits right in the middle of emerald rice fields in Sebatu village, a”
Stay updated with our Bali adventures
New discoveries, seasonal tips, and the occasional hidden gem. Be the first to know when we add places.