Review: COMO Shambhala Estate

Set the scene for us. What are your impressions as you first arrive at this resort?
Eyebrow-arching views greet you as you arrive at COMO Shambhala Estate, a jungle-hugged designer health retreat perched on staggered hilltops above the Ayung River. For two decades, the COMO Shambhala Estate has reigned as a five-star refuge for luxury travelers seeking to say farewell to stress and hello to spiritual development.

Okay, now some back story. Where did this place come from?
Christina Ong is much loved for introducing COMO’s flagship brand on 23 acres in Bali—and when she did, she launched her own sophisticated interpretation of wellness. Hindu water blessings and chakra healers are just as accessible here as spells in a sauna, steam room, or infinity pool.

Cool, so tell us about the resort itself. What can we expect from the accommodations?
East meets West at each of the five residences, which house a total 30 suites, each with its own pool. Stand-alone villas have private pools and one-bedroom Retreat Villas have their own treatment rooms.

It's a wellness resort, so we imagine the food also reflects that ethos. A fair assumption?
Fresh, nutritious Southeast Asian flavors and ingredients—tamarind, sumac, and more—fit for clean-eating fanatics dominate the menus in both Kudus House and Glow. Wok-fried dishes, zingier than your typical spa cuisine, allow you to boost your intake of vitamins, enzymes, and minerals with gusto.

What's the staff like? Do they help guide you through the health part of the health retreat?
Personalized service lets you seek better health in stretches of three, five, and seven days, and have been "bespoke" even before the word came into vogue.

Who else is likely to find their way here?
This is where high-net-worth come to invest in their health and healing. You'll spy Roberto Cavalli kaftans and Melissa Odabash maxi dresses floating from Ayurvedic medical consultation to palm-framed meditation pavilion.

Any other notable amenities?
The property's wellbeing center has a steam room, a hammam, a sauna, a fitness center, and tennis courts.

So when you get down to it, why, if at all, would you recommend this place to a friend?
COMO Shambhala is grander and more graceful than conventional spas; it's more transformative and soothing than corporate chain resorts; and it has every tropical panorama fit for Instagram.