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A Poolside Beach Club & Renowned Spa: This Luxe Canggu Hotel Has It All
Written by Rebecca Ellwood
One of the only true beachfront hotels in Bali’s surf capital, COMO Uma Canggu offers Ibiza-esque vibes together with a globally renowned wellness philosophy.
Bringing COMO’s signature brand of understated elegance to Bali’s south coast is COMO Uma Canggu, a sleek, surfer-cool hotel where beach club days are mandatory (and daily fitness classes optional). From colourful beachside dining to next-level spa treatments, here are all the reasons we love COMO Uma Canggu.
The suites, residences and penthouses are huge
The very first COMO hotel – London’s COMO The Halkin, opened in 1991 – was created with the belief that perceptions of luxury were shifting, towards an understated and enduring approach. This is reflected in its Canggu outpost: light, bright, sleek and modern, this is the epitome of contemporary elegance, masterminded by award-winning, Osaka-born designer Koichiro Ikebuchi (who also redesigned the iconic COMO Shambhala). A refreshing step change from the traditional Balinese dark wood aesthetic, each room is bedecked in pale marble and tasteful, neutral tones that speak timeless luxury. Massive suites feature luxe outdoor showers; sprawling residences boast kitchens and balconies.
You’ll have the best massage of your life here
COMO’s wellness offering is the stuff of legend. Born from the brand’s flagship resort, Ubud’s COMO Shambhala (‘peace’ in Sanskrit), its holistic wellness philosophy resounds globally. Offerings are continually refined by Singapore-based Group Wellness Director Lisa Manser, and COMO’s custom oil blends and botanical products are found in every resort.
The signature COMO Shambhala massage was developed 28 years ago in collaboration with international practitioners, from Ayurvedic specialists to aromatherapists, marrying the very best of all elements in one restorative treatment. The more invigorating Taksu massage, named after the Balinese word for a transfer of energy between two people, offers a cracking good time (in the most satisfying way possible).
It has its own beach club (and another across the road)
A lazy day spent poolside at a chic beach club is a quintessential Balinese experience. The onsite COMO Beach Club sits right on the surf, where you can watch boarders catching the waves well past sunset. A glittering infinity pool is flanked by swing seats and lounges, the perfect spots for enjoying dishes of sustainably sourced ingredients: think crispy sushi topped with tuna, avocado and jalapenos, chilli sambal crab, healthy juice blends and signature cocktails like Mist (coriander-infused vodka, house-made lychee puree, raspberry, red grape and lemon).
Want more of the beach club life? The achingly cool La Brisa, a treehouse-style beach club built from reclaimed fishing boats and festooned in atmospheric fairy lights, is directly across the road, while The Lawn and the legendary FINNS Beach Club are just up the coast.
The wellness offering is like nothing you’ve seen before
Wellness isn’t a box-ticking exercise at this hotel, it’s integral to the COMO lifestyle. The gym is epic, with 250sqm of cutting-edge equipment including TRX Suspension Training, CrossFit stations and Pilates and yoga studios.
A daily schedule of classes covers everything from reformer pilates to yoga practices and suspension fitness. You can even learn to surf here (almost obligatory when in Canggu) with an expert instructor from Tropicsurf, a luxury provider that operates only in the finest resorts. Lessons are available in the safety of the lagoon pool for beginners, or out on the waves or local reefs for those with the basic skills in hand.
The dining makes healthy living easy
A balanced diet goes hand-in-hand with wellness, but at COMO Uma Canggu, healthy doesn’t equal boring. Here all preconceptions are turned on their head: the staple wholesome, seasonal ingredients of every dish make eating well feel easy. Choose from ‘crisp and crunchy’ dishes like tuna sambal with long beans and apple eggplant salad, ‘braised, wok and crispy fried’ plates such as kare ikan (yellow curry of groper, choko fruit and leaves) or seafood and meats cooked over coal.
The hip Glow health bar offers some of the most tantalising salad combinations you’ll ever see, which will convert even the most leaf-shy (there’s the Gado Gado with beansprouts, baby carrots, cabbage, sweet potatoes and peanut sauce, or the grilled zucchini and asparagus with olives, basil, semi-dried tomatoes, sunflower seeds and lemon dressing). Add to that a cold-pressed juice blend or smoothie of fresh fruit and you’ve got a lunch of champions.
The writer was a guest of COMO Uma Canggu.
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