COMO ShambhalaEstate

this resort holds a special place in my heart. having been twice, solo, i can't quite explain it but perhaps there is something special in the air, the natural spring water served or perhaps because of its sacred location in between two rivers which makes this truly the best wellness resort in the world and a perfect place for healing, recovery and reflection. what i can explain is the everything else: the service is impeccable. you never feel like you need or want for more, every request is met with such sincerity that you’re never made to feel like anything is too much trouble. my personal assistant (shoutout to Ramses!) was warm, responsive, and consistently ensured I was cared for. it wasn’t just him, the front desk team, the restaurant staff, the therapists at the spa, every single person greeted me with genuine smiles and an openness that felt truly heartfelt. they would pause whatever they were doing just to check in, ask about my day, or share a story about balinese culture or the property. the food is very thoughtfully done and you can feel the care and effort that was put in with every bite. i mostly ate from the wellness menu so i can't speak for the normal menu, but the i've never tasted such delicious healthful food in my life. my fave was the eggplant 'lasagne' and the 'edamame dip' and 'maki roll'. all very plant-based forward but so satisfying. the breakfast was also amazing with everything prepared fresh. i loved the variety of juices available and the daily specials. i highly recommend the prawn laksa for brekkie!! it's out of this world!! i also loved the red rice porridge, which was a comforting and warm option. the estate is so beautiful and grounding and walking around the sprawling estate is part of the experience. there's also plenty of spaces to lounge and i enjoyed literally doing nothing, just chilling and enjoying the peaceful grounds, the sounds of the forest, the river flowing beneath you and the views. i could do nothing and yet feel so complete. but of course you can do also do a lot of things, and i recommend booking a few treatments at the wellness centre and enjoying the health tech facilities. it was recently renovated (it still smells new!) and very beautifully done. i highly recommend the taksu massage and the balinese body wrap (shout out to therapist sudiana and didi) they have magic in their hands! you will just feel so pampered during and after. there's also plenty to do with the very rich daily wellness classes available from walks to meditation, breathwork, yoga, pilates etc. this review could never justify the experience i had but i hope it helps a traveler in need of a break in some way or another!