Sanctoo Suites & Villas

A sanctuary by the zoo

Pull off Jalan Ulun Suwi II in Singapadu and the noise of Bali drops away. Sanctoo Suites & Villas sits beside the Bali Zoo and a river, wrapped in tropical gardens, trading beach bars and Ubud bustle for birdsong, waterfalls and a retreat-like calm.

Many reviewers describe it as the best place they’ve stayed in Bali in decades, with several coming back for the third, fourth, even eighth time.

Location, access and who it suits

The resort lies in Singapadu, in Kabupaten Gianyar, directly next to Bali Zoo and about a drive south of central Ubud (exact distance not specified). Guests highlight how easy it is to reach Kampung Kalimantan inside the zoo in under a 4‑minute walk or via a free shuttle.

This is not a “walk out to cafés” kind of address; taxis or hotel drivers (Indra is often mentioned by name) are needed for dinners in Ubud or further afield. Families and couples who want nature, quiet and zoo time tend to be happiest here.

Suites, villas and private pools

Accommodation ranges from pool‑access suites with balconies over a central pool, to riverside and garden villas with private swimming pools, gazebos and large bathtubs. Guests mention two‑bedroom family suites that back onto enclosures with meerkats, peacocks, parrots and even a raccoon, and honeymoon villas overlooking a temple within the grounds.

Rooms are repeatedly called spacious, spotless and modern, with big bathrooms, separate showers and baths, and very comfortable bedding. A few long‑time visitors now note some rooms “ready for modernisation”, and occasional humidity smells in certain toilets.

Dining, breakfast and special diets

Sanctoo has at least two restaurants, including Cassowary. Buffet breakfast comes up often: varied, tasty and included in many packages, with options for halal guests and staff who quietly cook separate nut‑free plates at no extra charge.

Food quality is widely praised and prices described as “fairly reasonable”, though some diners feel local warung meals can be cheaper and one guest encountered a manager who handled dish feedback poorly. For Indians, there are a few vegetarian-friendly dishes (rice, noodles or roti sabji), but broader Indian choices nearby are “not within a 10 km radius”.

Bali Zoo access and animal experiences

Unlimited, complimentary entry to Bali Zoo is consistently named the resort’s biggest perk. Families talk about kids running back and forth between the pool and the zoo all day, and some suggest skipping Bali Safari entirely and staying here instead.

Paid activities range from “elephant mud fun” and feeding sessions to breakfast with orangutans and wider area tours. A detailed “zookeeper” package, animal experiences right outside villa backyards, and easy shuttles inside the zoo make this a standout choice for animal‑loving children and adults.

Spa in the jungle and wellness packages

Sanctoo Spa & Wellness draws rave reviews, even from day guests who don’t stay overnight. Treatment rooms overlook a waterfall, riverside forest or both, with constant water sounds that many say are “like no other”.

Therapists such as Agung, Diana/Dian, Mia, Kadek and Arik are frequently named for highly skilled massages, from hot stone to 90‑minute couple sessions with jacuzzi. A few practical niggles appear (no hair dryer, short time between sessions, an odd smell in one toilet), but overall the spa is rated “100/100” and “addictive”.

Service, staff and little touches

If there is one universal theme, it is the staff. Names like Dewi, Ayu, Komang Ayu, Yuro, Obe, Ide, Gede, Gek Lan, Yogi and Supiana appear again and again in reviews, thanked for warmth, humour and personal care.

Guests mention buggy rides through manicured gardens, surprise room decorations and cakes for birthdays, tailored breakfasts for allergies, romantic dinners in front of the on‑site temple, and housekeepers who leave kind notes while keeping villas immaculate.

Trade‑offs and overall verdict

Being in the jungle means some mosquitoes, occasional ants and a dependence on drivers rather than walking to shops or nightlife. A few guests point to slow restaurant service at busy times and aging in some rooms, though these concerns are outweighed by praise.

For couples on honeymoon, families planning Bali Zoo time, and repeat Bali visitors searching for a quiet, service‑driven hideaway rather than a beach base, Sanctoo Suites & Villas feels less like a stopover and more like a self‑contained escape.