Want to know where Hollywood’s elite head to reboot? COMO Shambhala is an under-the-radar gem deep in the Ubud jungle, where nature’s embrace, together with a world-leading wellness program, promises a transformative experience worthy of Eat, Pray, Love.
Even if you’ve never been acquainted with a yoga mat, you don’t have to be a wellness aficionado to enjoy COMO Shambhala: the experience is fully customisable, so you can pick up as much or as little as you please.
Read on to discover what makes COMO Shambhala one of the world’s best wellness resorts (or check out its sister resort, COMO Uma Canggu).
COMO Shambhala Estate delivers on the promise of what Ubud is actually supposed to be about — healing, and being genuinely close to the jungle. The grounds are expansive, with three pools fed by natural spring water sources, and the whole property sits in that dense, serene green that makes Ubud worth the drive up from the coast in the first place.
The wellness side is the real draw. The Ojas center and its treatments were excellent, and the facility itself was recently renovated by Atelier Ikebuchi — it shows, the whole space feels considered rather than bolted on. The design is so chic, with wood and Balinese cultural elements throughout. There's also a new gym above reception that's also just being renovated. We were upgraded to a one-bedroom pool villa, which was spacious and came with a heated pool we ended up using every single day — not a small thing given how much of the stay revolves around being in or near water here.
Service throughout was very good — well-intentioned, eager to please, the kind of attentiveness that actually holds up when something goes wrong. We had noise carrying over from a wedding on the property (close to the amphitheater) one night, and it was handled promptly, with a complimentary three-course dinner offered without us having to push for it. The guides for every activity we did, from the Mount Batur hike to a blessing ceremony, were attentive and clearly knew what they were doing rather than just going through the motions. Special shoutout to Ayu, our personal assistant, who went well above and beyond — when my partner stained his shirt she jumped in immediately to help, and she even cleaned our sneakers after a long hike without us having to ask.
Only real knock is that the room itself felt a bit dated relative to everything else on offer — though staff mentioned a refresh is coming, and it was in good enough shape that it didn't take away from the stay. The other is more about calibration than any single failure: this isn't as polished as Amankila, and we were still being asked for our room check and names as late as our third day. Minor on their own, but at this price tier, that's the kind of recognition that should be sorted by day one.
Overall, this is COMO doing what it does best: a serene, spring-fed jungle estate with standout wellness facilities and service that backs it up when things go sideways. Would stay again.
10.0
Harriet T.
It's hard to put into words exactly how this place makes you feel.
The first thing that struck me was the view. Lush, expansive rainforest stretching as far as the eye can see. There is a sense of calm here that is difficult to describe and even harder to leave behind.
The service is warm, personal and genuinely caring. Each guest is assigned a personal assistant who is available via WhatsApp throughout their stay. I didn't realise this was a service I needed until I experienced it, but it made everything so smooth and effortless.
The residences are beautiful, offering modern luxury while still retaining plenty of Balinese charm. Thoughtful touches are everywhere, from the complimentary private bar stocked with fresh juices and homemade biscuits, replenished daily, to the smart Japanese toilet in our room. It was the small details like these that elevated the entire experience.
As the estate is built into the hillside, there are a number of steps and walking paths throughout the property. However, buggies are readily available and the team are always happy to transport guests wherever they need to go.
A schedule of daily activities is included, with additional wellness experiences available for those wanting to immerse themselves further. Wellness isn't just a buzzword here. It is woven naturally into every aspect of the estate.
My massage experience was exceptional and easily ranks among the best I've ever had.
Breakfast was a standout. The à la carte menu is focused on health and wellbeing, with creative flavour combinations and quality ingredients that feel both nourishing and indulgent.
One of my favourite experiences was walking down through the forest to Kedara Spring. Sitting beside the natural springs, surrounded by the sounds of the jungle, before taking a dip in one of the three spring fed pools, was incredibly special.
More than a luxury resort, this is a place to slow down and reconnect. It leaves a lasting impression and evokes an emotional response that stays with you long after you leave.
For those who value exceptional service, wellness, privacy and a genuine connection with nature, the experience speaks for itself. The attention to detail, thoughtful inclusions and the way the estate makes you feel create a level of value that extends far beyond the accommodation alone.
10.0
Oz M.
COMO Shambhala Estate in Ubud is a hit.
COMO Shambhala is one of those rare places that genuinely feels like it exists in its own world. The property is absolutely stunning — every corner looks like it belongs in a magazine, yet it never feels overly staged or manufactured. It’s easily one of the most beautiful wellness properties I’ve visited.
The spa and massage experience are world class. From the moment you arrive, there’s a sense of calm that’s hard to describe. Everything is designed to slow you down, disconnect you from the outside world, and immerse you in the surroundings.
What really makes the place special is the atmosphere. Surrounded by jungle, water, and nature, it feels like stepping into an alternate reality far removed from the busier parts of Bali. The serenity is genuine, not something that's simply marketed.
Getting there takes a bit of effort, but it's absolutely worth the drive.
Overall: a truly unique property with exceptional wellness facilities and one of the most peaceful settings in Bali.
Would I come back? Without hesitation.
10.0
Nithya R.
One of the most special hotel stays of our lives was at Como Shambhala! I got engaged at the hotel down by the waterfall and it was the most romantic place I could imagine. The hotel staff are all so lovely and hospitable and made our stay incredible. They truly try to get to know their guests and make it a personalized stay. The food is so healthy and clean while being delicious. So grateful to have made the memories that we did at the most beautiful hotel in Bali!
The estate
A world away from the roaring mopeds and constant bustle of Ubud’s centre, the ravine surrounding COMO Shambhala Estate is like a glittering green geode. A thick carpet of swaying palms, emerald treetops and lilypad-dotted ponds swathes the hillsides to the base of the valley, where the Ayung River, natural pools and a sacred spring trickle amid the jungle. On the air is nothing but birdsong and the chittering of cicadas: it’s a breathtakingly peaceful pause from an otherwise frenetic world.
Tejasuara Residence. Source: COMO Shambhala.
The resort’s residences, villas and pavilions are scattered across 23 acres, with plentiful quiet pools and spots for contemplation at sunset. From the dark wood, intricate carvings and four-poster beds of the traditional suites to epic villas with private infinity pools and Japanese water gardens, privacy amid the jungle is guaranteed (with a January 2025 refresh set to make the accommodation more luxe than ever).
The dining
With field-to-table ingredients and raw dishes that preserve the nutritional value of every element, eating well is as natural as breathing at COMO Shambhala. Highlights include the rich flourless chocolate cake with coconut sorbet, which tastes positively indecent (while actually being very decent indeed).
An intricately carved, 150-year-old Javanese residence is where Kudus House serves a wholesome breakfast and Indonesian-inspired flavours. Wok-fried red rice is dished up with tempeh, vegetables, sambal and julienned egg crepe, while ‘medicinal shots’ like golden jamu, turmeric, tamarind and organic palm sugar are an injection of zest for the day – as are the glorious green jungle views for as far as the eye can see.
Kudus House. Source: COMO Shambhala.
The galley kitchen of Glow provides a warm welcome on arrival for dinner, where plates showcase a rainbow of organic ingredients. Noodles are made from zucchini, pizza crust of pumpkin and cashew: nourishing swaps that’ll ensure you leave feeling at your peak.
The spa treatments
The international COMO Hotels and Resorts group is primarily known for two things: its unique brand of understated luxury, and a world-leading wellness offering. Shambhala is its flagship, and it is here, in Bali’s spiritual heartland, that the global spa and wellbeing program is determined.
In her pursuit of the perfect massage, COMO’s founder, Christina Ong, enlisted the help of practitioners from aromatherapists to ayurvedic specialists to develop COMO’s signature Shambhala treatment, which has been perfected over more than 20 years. Every detail is considered, from the cadence of long, smooth strokes and firm pressure, to the custom-blended oils and hot towel compress to the neck and feet.
At COMO Shambhala’s spa, expect the full gamut, from SUNDÃRI facials to hydrotherapy, acupuncture and high-tech health therapies like a hyperbaric oxygen treatment, whereby pure oxygen is administered to kick-start the body’s natural healing process. And it doesn’t end there in the pursuit of your best self: traditional Chinese medicine, ayurvedic and chakra healing consultants are on hand to offer life-changing advice that will stay with you long after you leave.
The wellness program & experiences
The hydrotherapy pool. Source: COMO Shambhala.
Each day brings a schedule of new activities and experiences, from the gentle and nurturing (qigong, yoga nidra and meditative breathing) to the more intensive (core work, circuit training and pilates). Therapeutic hydrotherapy takes place in a custom-heated pool on a shelf overlooking the jungle, where a series of jetted seats await to soothe and invigorate.
Explore with a guided walk around the estate, or head further afield on a biking tour to a local village and rice field. There’s also the opportunity to immerse yourself in Ubud’s undeniable spirituality: book in for a traditional gratitude ritual, or head down to the estate’s 10th-century temple and ancient spring to experience an authentic water purification ceremony.
