T+L’s Hotel Review of Como Shambhala Estate in Ubud, Bali

“Have you visited the water gardens?” Suteja Gede, the general manager at Como Shambhala Estate, asked me early in my stay at the lush hilltop resort in Bali where the Ayung and Tibakauh rivers merge. “It’s the soul of the place.”

Intrigued, I descended some 250 steps to find Kedara Water Garden thrumming with life. A majestic series of three natural spring–fed pools dotted with waterfalls, wooden daybeds, and gargantuan trees and palms appeared before me. Gede was spot on when he told me, “When I’m down there, I always feel the energy and tranquility. You’re in the middle of beautiful Mother Nature, and you cannot compare it with anything else.”

Yet, as stunning as this wellness resort’s verdant river valley is, its allure—encompassing 22 acres of incessantly chirping cicadas, swooping birds, tropical floral scents, and moss-covered stone—is partly due to its seemingly untouched and wild nature. Tucked away in a small village in Bali’s interior, this is not a hotel for tourists looking to check all the sites of Ubud off their bucket list, nor for groups more interested in partying than practicing meditation.

Como Shambhala Estate, which first opened as Shambhala Estate in 1994 and was acquired by Como in 2004, is its own universe. And after several decades, it’s only gotten better; its lush environs are mature and humming, and its wellness journeys are thoughtfully developed.

“Guests don’t come here by mistake; it’s very intentional,” Eugene Feklistov, cluster director of sales and marketing, told me. And their intention is either pure, uninhibited relaxation or highly personalized holistic retreats that the resort refers to as Wellness Paths.

I opted for the three-night Connect to Rebalance Path, and before my arrival, I consulted with the resort’s Ayurvedic doctor and wellness manager, Prasanth Vayanakathu, over the phone.

He recommended a private Pilates session focused on postural alignment after I told him I spent my days and nights hunched over, typing and breastfeeding. Vayanakathu advised me to avoid alcohol and follow the anti-inflammatory menu on-site when I mentioned persistent muscle tension, stiff joints, and evening bloating. He also suggested I end each day with a 60-minute evening massage in the new spa to knead my traps into submission. And to help me clarify my priorities and rediscover my sense of self, he arranged a Balinese melukat purifying ceremony at the resort’s sacred water temple. During the ritual, a trio of local men played Balinese instruments as incense floated through the air.

Here, my full review of Como Shambhala Estate in Bali.

The Rooms

Como Shambhala Estate has 10 standalone villas with one, two, or three bedrooms as well as 21 suites, split between five Residences. Bayugita was the first Residence built in 1994, and after Como founder Christina Ong acquired the resort in 2004, additional accommodations and the wellness center were added. Each Residence features multiple suites, including a primary Como Shambhala Suite with its own Jacuzzi. Each Residence has abundant outdoor lounge spaces and a large swimming pool, and can be booked in its entirety for a group retreat or a multigenerational family escape.

The two-story Wanakasa (the name translates to “forest in the mist”) Residence hangs over the river valley and boasts a serious treehouse vibe, with a curved pool wrapping around a massive banyan tree. It’s one of two newly renovated Residences that now exude a chic, Balinese style with subdued natural tones.

After being greeted with a tasty cucumber-ginger welcome drink, my two young daughters and I checked into the two-bedroom Shantivana villa. It has an L-shaped infinity swimming pool overlooking the forest, umbrellas, lounge chairs, a dining table, an outdoor shower, and a swinging daybed.

My youngest was particularly thrilled about the “swing” and massive soaking tub in the generously-sized bathroom, complete with double vanities and a steam shower, stocked with signature Como Shambhala toiletries. In the bedrooms, mosquito nets swathed four-poster beds. I also enjoyed the thoughtful touches, including a bottle of natural mosquito repellent oil and a pair of yoga mats.

Our personal assistant—every guest is assigned one—explained the complimentary minibar offerings that align with the resort’s wellness mission: freshly made juices, kombucha, and healthy snacks such as fruit, ginger and pistachio cookies, and flax crackers. While our villa had not been recently refreshed, the only telltale sign was the excessively large switches and dimmers trailing up the walls.

Food and Drink

It’s likely intentional that this wellness resort streamlined its dining outlets; there is just one option per meal, eliminating the need to hem and haw over which restaurant to visit. Breakfast is served daily in Kudus House, occupying a 150-plus-year-old intricately carved Javanese wooden house. It was imported from the neighboring island in its entirety and features open sides that allow for spectacular vistas of the river gorge under the stunning morning light.

All menus, including those for kids, are clearly labeled with designations such as vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, contains nuts, sustainably sourced, and locally sourced. There are extra-healthy twists on standard breakfast fare, such as buckwheat or chickpea pancakes and mung bean porridge, as well as savory dishes like hummus toast with sunflower seed cheese, radish salad, and pomegranate. Each day, I looked forward to kicking things off with a shot of turmeric, tamarind, and coconut nectar or wheatgrass and ginger. I loved the resort’s spin on Indonesia’s bubur ayam, a red rice porridge with shredded chicken, bone broth, shiitake mushrooms, and sprouts.

There is a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory Como Cleanse menu option available for each meal as well. It comprises both Western and Indonesian dishes and is completely gluten-, lactose-, egg-, and GMO-free, with zero meat or seafood (except as add-ons) but, surprisingly, plenty of flavor.

Perched near the treetops, Glow opens for lunch that flows into dinner. Like Kudus, the pavilion-like restaurant has a high vaulted ceiling and a wall-free design, ensuring diners are immersed in nature. My favorite lunch was a bountiful mezze plate loaded with green falafel, sauerkraut, kale salad, pomegranate tabbouleh, smooth sweet potato puree, and hummus. And at dinner, I drooled over light, savory Vietnamese lemongrass chicken skewers served with sweet and sour dipping sauce, followed by a pearl barley risotto-inspired dish with mushrooms, asparagus, and arugula. Taking the recommendation of Ayurvedic doctor Vayanakathu, I did not order from the wine list or cocktail menu. Instead, I found the oxygenating Blood Builder extraction of beetroot, carrot, apple, ginger, and turmeric a satisfying alcohol-free alternative.

On Sunday, the brunch menu at Glow features small plates of items like avocado and soy bean dip with seaweed salsa and chia seed crisps, as well as a soft-cooked organic egg accompanied by smoked salmon and asparagus with green goddess dressing. I couldn’t help but eat two fluffy Chinese steamed buns stuffed with spiced smoked duck, shiitake mushrooms, and pickled cucumber. The meal was made more captivating by traditional Balinese entertainment, which included dance practice for young local girls, their instructor, and a small gamelan orchestra.

Activities and Experiences

The resort offers a robust daily schedule of activities and exercise sessions. The majority of them, including a village and rice field walk, Pilates with props, a cold plunge challenge, and Meridian Stretch Qi Gong, are complimentary. Guests can also opt to relax by the 82-foot resort pool.

A major draw is the Wellness Paths, targeting a range of physical and mental health issues. There is a three-night minimum, but guests can sign up for seven, 10, or even 31 days. People come here planning to go down one Path, Feklistov explained, but after they consult with Vayanakathu, “they end up on a different Path.” That usually involves a tailor-made schedule of body treatments, rituals, or a body composition analysis.

During my stay, I took part in yin yoga at dusk in an open-air space, overlooking the jungle. At the glass-walled Pilates studio, I had a detailed private session focused completely on postural alignment, chest opening, and upper back strengthening. Guests can also rent complimentary bikes.

The Spa

The spa is the heart of the resort. And for its 20th anniversary as part of the Como brand, it underwent a total revamp, led by Atelier Ikebuchi. The quiet interiors were reimagined in Carrara marble and teak wood. New state-of-the-art wellness tech was also added, like a hyperbaric oxygen pod and an infrared sauna. I thoroughly enjoyed my Hyperbaric AirPod treatment, which was an opportunity to decompress and read a book for an hour while my cells recharged and received a dose of cortisol-combatting hydrogen. The little tube directing pure oxygen to my face did, as promised, make my complexion feel extra plump and glowy, too. 

I ended each day in the elegantly minimalist Ojas Wellness Center—renovated in August 2025—with a different style of massage, each incorporating one of Como Shambhala’s ambrosial sweet almond–based oils. Of the dozen or so massage offerings, I first experienced the soothing yet strong Taksu, which featured twisting and stretching. The deep tissue massage was one of the best I’ve had in Bali, thanks to the graceful and very specific treatment of my points of deep-seated upper body tightness. To finish up, a dreamy Indonesian massage using Como’s Balance oil, featuring sandalwood and ylang ylang, which resulted in confident, sweeping strokes that ranged from gentle to super firm.

Appropriately for this flagship of the Como Shambhala wellness brand, the menu is exhaustive, with everything a spa-goer could desire: microbiome facials, Marma therapy, facial rejuvenation acupuncture, and Javanese royal lulur baths. Several two-day Wellness Programs are also on offer and range from a Nervous System Rebalance to a Metabolic Reset and include therapies, such as manual lymphatic drainage and colonic hydrotherapy.

Family-friendly Offerings

While some Como resorts boast kids’ clubs, this one does not. Its many steps can pose a challenge for little ones; it’s not a place for strollers but rather for baby carriers. Though it wasn’t necessarily designed as a family resort, cribs and high chairs are available. The dining offerings include a kids’ menu of healthy and flavorful options that my daughters savored enthusiastically throughout our stay.

The wellness-focused activities, spa treatments, and classes are appropriate for guests aged 16 and over. Feklistov explained that the kid-friendliness of the resort tends to be on a case-by-case basis, depending on each family’s priorities and goals.

Accessibility and Sustainability

This resort is not well-suited for those with mobility challenges since most accommodations and facilities require navigating many steps. Two villas are wheelchair-accessible via a ramp. From there, the spa can also be reached by ramp. However, the restaurants are not wheelchair-accessible, but there are no extra charges for in-villa dining.

Como is committed to significant sustainable practices. This EarthCheck-certified hotel is virtually plastic-free—I only saw plastic wrap on plates delivered for in-room dining. To reduce transport emissions, the resort sources many of its ingredients locally, which is denoted with the initials LS on menus.

The resort is committed to increasing the number of native plants that surround it by five percent each year. Food and landscape waste is composted. The upcycling extends to the spa, with used Ayurvedic oils being donated to Green School Bali to run its biodiesel bus.

Location

The resort is about 20-30 minutes north of busy Ubud and about 30 miles northeast of Bali’s airport (DPS). While most guests hardly ever leave the resort during their stay, there is a lot to see, do, and eat in the vicinity, including the water temple of Pura Tirta Empul, walkable Tjampuhan Ridge, Tegalalang rice terraces, the 11th-century Gunung Kawi temple, and the charming village of Keliki, all best visited with a guide and a driver.

Farm-to-table restaurant Begawan Biji, founded by Bradley T. and Debora Gardner, Shambhala Estate’s original owners, sits next to the resort. There, guests can also visit the Bali starling bird nursery.

The hotel can arrange a private airport transfer for its guests.

Book Now

Como Shambhala Estate is part of Comoclub, Como Hotels & Resorts’ loyalty program, which allows travelers to accumulate Comocredits and redeem them for a variety of curated experiences and items.

Additionally, the resort can be booked on American Express’ Fine Hotels + Resorts, which comes with 12 p.m. check-in (when available), daily breakfast for two, and a $100 property credit, among other perks.

Nightly rates at Como Shambhala Estate start from $680.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.