COMO Shambhala Estate by day, Uma by COMO by night

There’s understated luxury, and then there’s the understated opulence that the COMO Shambhala Estate embodies. If you’re mulling over the top place to stay in Bali then this is definitively It. Lush, abundant grounds meander over 10 hectares of magnificent landscape above the Ayung River. It’s on another level. The location, incredible. The experience, exceptional. I struggle to think of a retreat in Ubud better than COMO. That’s right, nothing comes close to COMO.

Check this out for a wellness retreat: 300 stone steps that descended along river the gorge, branching out to Pilates and spa pavilions, and a sacred purifying spring until you come to a cantilevered deck built around natural water pools. The pictures come nowhere close to describing the magnitude of beauty found here. This portion of the resort is reserved for wellness retreat guests. Oh one day…

True style, and luxury is a state of being. This an oasis of serenity.

Hermés shot a recent campaign in this very spot. Donna Karen comes here to relax. Katy Perry slept here. The list just goes on. But that’s how a small portion of the world lives. That’s not going to stop you from experiencing COMO.

COMO Shambhala Estate by day

It’s as simple as booking a massage at the COMO Shambhala Estate’s spa. Take it from someone who’s had too many massages at most of the top resorts in Bali. COMO’s signature massage is hands down, the best massage in Bali. It’s the Bugati of massages. Here’s why.

Massages start with loosening tension in the back and shoulders, followed by the rest of the body and finally your knots are loosened. COMO’s signature massage is a little wiser. They know that built up tension and stagnant energy lives in the hips. This is where they start, with long smooth strokes that loosen the hips and sides of your body. By the time the expert massage therapist gets to your back, your body is already light as a feather and limp as a baby. You get to enjoy and relax into that back massage so much more. And they have a subtle way of teasing knots off your back. Need I say more?

After your treatment, take a quiet moment in the tea house and contemplate life over the Ayung River Gorge. Stay a little longer. Sit down for a light lunch of COMO cuisine at the restaurant. Perhaps plan your future Bali wedding party…

Uma by COMO by night

It’s time to go. You’ll come back to the estate one day, but today, your COMO experience is not over yet. This classy group isn’t about to love you and leave you. They’ve thought about you. And hence they created UMA by COMO in Ubud. The boutique arm of the estate. An entry level resort for you rising stars, the future estate guests.

The suites in UMA are elegantly appointed with white wash furnishings and cool marble floors. New suites were added since I was last here. Last time, I stayed in a lovely suite, overlooking the river valley. This time, the newly added pool suite stands out. Who doesn’t love a midnight skinny dip?

Also a recent addition, UMA Cucina restaurant. A snazzy joint done up with contemporary décor, furnished with a killer Italian menu and the most refreshing cocktails in town. This could be Ubud’s most sensational jazz and dinner spot in time to come.

Find out more about the sensational UMA by COMO and the divine COMO Shambhala Estate.