A classic cleansing
Como Shambhala Estate, the sprawling cliff-side 23 acre Ubud property that traces the Ayung River rapids 300 steps below, was designed by architect Cheong Yew Kwan, and opened to international praise in 2005. Conceived as a place for sybarites to recalibrate and detox from the excesses of an A-list lifestyle, the property was a trailblazer in terms of its attention to detail from bathroom toiletries to ubiquitous yoga mats in every room.
Not much has changed since then. The estate’s undeniable charm is its direct connection to the area’s rolling hills and their diverse natural wildlife, counterpointed by accommodations that speak of the ultimate in luxury – plunge pools, outdoor terraces that peek onto the verdant jungle, and a personal butler’s precision to detail.
While the 30-room property has stuck to its, by now, tried-and-celebrity approved formula of well-heeled wellness, it has also expounded upon its healthy cuisine menu of tasty, healthful dishes. Take for instance the black bean and quinoa tortilla with guacamole and cashew nut cream. Or the Indian-style grouper with chickpeas, pumpkin and cherry tomatoes. Juices pack a punch, and have been designed not merely to taste good, but also for specific reasons; for example, the self-explanatory Stress Reliever, made from carrot, red apple, red grapes, ginger, spinach, fennel, beetroot and leaves, celery, and sweet potato. Guests who come to the resort hoping to lose a few pounds often do, but they do not starve during the process.
When it comes to wellness programmes, the estate takes fairly conventional approaches. There are Ayurveda, Oriental medicine, cleanse, and fitness options that last an average of three days to a week, or longer. Resident experts in each field are on hand to guide guests through their time at the property with activities as diverse as working out in a jet-powered pool using water from the sacred spring located nearby, a jungle gym boot camp, or an early morning Pilates or yoga class to salute the sun as it rises beyond the emerald-hued Ubud cliffs.
