Explorer
Discovery HubArtists & PerformersVenuesKnowledge BaseFonctionnalités de la plateforme
Tarification dynamique intelligenteCatégories de billetsPlaces assignéesRécupération des paniers abandonnésRécupération des visiteursDons & Prix variablesSystème d'affiliationScanner de billetsCodes promoQuestions personnaliséesPartage de billetsVentes additionnelles & OptionsAnalyses & RapportsSéquences d'emailsListe d'attente / Notifier / RappelerVoir toutes les fonctionnalitésÀ proposA 22-acre riverine forest wellness retreat above the Ayung River, near Ubud, Bali
The Estate sits in a riverine forest in the heart of Bali, just beyond Ubud, and the pages describe the land before they describe anything built on it. This is a traditional place of purification in local culture, with a sacred spring called The Source and the flowing Ayung River. The Estate is aligned with four key Balinese temples. For over two decades it has drawn its vitality from that spring, which the Balinese revere. The buildings follow the land. Architect Cheong Yew Kuan, described as having conspicuous respect for the environment and indigenous styles of building, worked with interior designer Koichiro Ikebuchi. They used local stone, wood and traditional alang-alang roofing, shaped by the elements of wind, earth, fire, water and forest. Five residences each take one element as a theme. Tejasuara, the 'Sound of Fire', was built with 1,200 tonnes of stone imported from the island of Sumba. Tirta Ening, 'Clear Water', has a Japanese water garden and private waterfall. Wanakasa, 'Forest in the Mist', is a treehouse of interconnected suites around an enormous banyan tree. Terrace suites and one- to three-bedroom pool villas complete the accommodation. At the heart of the Estate is Ojas, the wellness centre, named for the Sanskrit 'essence of vitality'. It rises from a jungle-fringed clearing close to where the Ayung and Tibakauh rivers merge. It holds nine treatment rooms, a yoga pavilion on its second floor, a Pilates studio, a contrast therapy room, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and an outdoor vitality pool, and three outdoor treatment pavilions stand near Kedara. Ayurvedic doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists, massage therapists and yoga masters supervise the treatments. The approach is framed around 'un-ease' rather than 'dis-ease', and prevention over cure. Multi-night Wellness Paths begin with diagnostics, and shorter two-day Wellness Programmes can be booked without a room. Beyond the grounds, experiences include a water purification ceremony at the 10th-century Tirta Empul Temple, sacred water-spring blessing ceremonies, and treks to Lempuyang Temple, Mount Abang and Mount Batur.
Traditions: Ayurveda, Yoga, Pilates, Acupuncture, Marma Therapy, Meditation
Programs: Integrated Wellness Path, Fit to Perform, Detox to Restore, Nourish to Glow, Connect to Rebalance, Nervous System Rebalance, Energy Realignment, Water Purification Ceremony at Tirta Empul
Amenities: Jungle Setting, River Valley Views, Natural Spring Pools, Organic Farm-to-Table, Vegetarian & Vegan, Villa Suites, Wellness Centre, Forest Pathways, Herbal Teas, Gluten-Free Options
Ayurveda (Healing System): India's 5,000-year-old system of medicine shapes the Estate's diagnostic approach, with resident Ayurvedic consultants conducting pulse diagnosis and dosha-based personalized wellness programs.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (Healing System): TCM modalities including acupuncture, cupping, Qi Gong, and Chi Ne Tsang abdominal massage are integrated into the Estate's holistic wellness offerings through resident TCM practitioners.
Balinese Hindu Sacred Geography (Tradition): The Estate sits on land aligned with four key Balinese temples and centers on The Source, a natural spring used for centuries in purification rituals, grounding the property in local spiritual topography.
Integrative Wellness (Philosophy): The Estate embodies a non-sectarian, consultative approach that balances ancient healing wisdom with modern diagnostics to create bespoke programs meeting guests wherever they are on their wellness journey.
Proactive Wellness (Ethos): The COMO Shambhala brand philosophy established by Christina Ong in 1997 advocates preventive health and transformative self-care rather than reactive treatment or passive pampering.
Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga (Practice Lineages): These traditional yoga systems form core movement practices at the Estate, offering both physical discipline and contemplative pathways within the residential wellness program.
COMO Shambhala was the first residential health retreat to merge five-star luxury with diagnostic, transformation-focused wellness when it opened in 2005 on a 22-acre former estate above the Ayung River. The property sits on a site of profound spiritual significance—a natural spring called The Source that's been used for centuries in Balinese purification rituals flows through the grounds, and the land aligns with four key local temples. Unlike day-spa resorts, the Estate structures stays around multi-night Wellness Paths led by resident practitioners like Kimberly Rose Kneier (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and Prasanth Vayanakathu (Ayurveda with 25 years experience), beginning with in-depth consultations and personalized treatment plans. The newly redesigned Ojas centre houses 13 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy fed by the sacred spring, hyperbaric chamber, and a 25-meter Vitality Pool overlooking rainforest—facilities you won't find at most Ubud boutiques. What sets it apart is the combination of serious clinical expertise, access to ancient healing infrastructure, and COMO Group operational polish.
If you want a social scene or nightlife, this isn't your place—the Estate is intentionally isolated, focusing on introspection rather than mingling, and Ubud proper is a 20-minute drive away. Budget travelers will struggle with the $$$$ price point, especially since most transformative experiences require multi-night commitments (six-night Signature Retreats are standard). Recent reviews note that some rooms show their age despite the 2025 Ojas redesign, so perfectionists expecting brand-new everything across all accommodations may be disappointed. The medical diagnostics and blood work promised during booking weren't delivered as comprehensively as some guests expected, which frustrated those who came specifically for clinical insight. If you're someone who needs constant activity or gets restless with optional structure, the rhythm here—sunrise yoga, forest walks, spa treatments—may feel too unscheduled.
The day starts with optional sunrise yoga at 7am, followed by breakfast at Glow overlooking the valley—think papaya from the organic garden, green juices, and scrambled eggs if you're not on a strict detox path. Mid-morning might involve a consultation with Dewa Made Sulendra for chakra work or acupuncture with Kimberly Rose Kneier, then perhaps a guided Estate walk descending 400 steps through the forest to Kedara water gardens for a swim in the natural spring pools beside the Ayung River. Lunch at Kudus House (set in a 150-year-old Javanese residence) is followed by afternoon treatments—Ayurvedic massage, hydrotherapy, cold plunge—or personal time in your residence's infinity pool. There's an afternoon pause meditation session, then maybe a buggy ride to the jungle gym or tennis courts before dinner. Your personal assistant hand-writes tomorrow's schedule during nightly turndown and arranges everything via WhatsApp, so you're never scrambling to book treatments.
COMO Shambhala Cuisine is nutrient-dense and enzyme-rich but never punishing—the culinary team sources from the Estate's organic gardens and accommodates vegan, gluten-free, Ayurvedic, and detox protocols without sacrificing flavor. Glow, the contemporary all-day venue with an open kitchen, serves things like turmeric-spiced vegetables, grilled fish with tamarind, and raw desserts sweetened with coconut nectar, all plated beautifully and served on verandas with river sounds below. Kudus House offers modern Indonesian cuisine with Southeast Asian flavors—kaffir lime, ginger, lemongrass—so you're not stuck eating steamed greens for a week. Reviewers consistently praise the freshness and thoughtfulness of meals, noting they felt nourished rather than deprived. If you're on a strict detox path, expect less variety and more greens, but even then the kitchen manages to make it interesting. The dining experience itself—outdoor tables, jungle views, attentive service—elevates every meal.
The five multi-suite residences—Bayugita (water), Tirta Ening (water), Tejasuara (fire), Wanakasa (forest), and Umabona (earth)—each have four to five individual suites sharing an infinity pool and pavilion lounge, meaning you'll have neighbors but plenty of space. Wanakasa is the dramatic treehouse wrapped around a banyan tree, suspended 100 meters above the river—stunning views but the most steps to navigate. For total privacy, opt for the standalone one-, two-, or three-bedroom villas with private pools, full kitchens, and dedicated butler service, though you'll pay significantly more. Recent reviews mention some rooms showing their age despite renovations elsewhere, so ask specifically about which spaces were updated in 2025. All accommodations have four-poster beds, verandas, satellite TV, minifridges, and 24/7 room service, but the shared-residence suites feel more communal while villas feel like your own secluded compound. If you're sensitive to stairs, note that reaching Kedara involves a 400-step descent—beautiful but not for everyone.
The good: the sheer presence of the land itself—the constant sound of the Ayung River, the forest canopy overhead, the sacred spring flowing through the property—creates an atmosphere guests describe as profoundly grounding in ways photos can't convey. The personal assistant assigned to each guest (who arranges everything via WhatsApp and hand-writes your schedule during turndown) feels like having a wellness concierge anticipating needs before you voice them. The bad: the medical diagnostics and blood work promised during booking often aren't as comprehensive as expected, frustrating guests who came specifically for clinical insight rather than just spa treatments. The property is genuinely isolated—reaching Ubud takes 20 minutes by car, and there's not much to do off-property besides the Estate's programming, which some find meditative and others find limiting. Also, navigating the 400 steps down to Kedara and back up is more strenuous than promotional materials suggest.
Expect $$$$ pricing starting around $1,000+ per night for residence suites and significantly more for private villas with butler service, but that baseline doesn't include the Wellness Paths or Signature Retreats that make the Estate transformative rather than just luxurious. The six-night Signature Retreats—Ancient Wisdom of Longevity through Ayurveda, Traditional Eastern Medicine for Women's Wellness—are all-inclusive programs with consultations, treatments, and meals, typically adding thousands to your bill. Individual treatments at Ojas (acupuncture with Kimberly Rose Kneier, Ayurvedic massage, hydrotherapy) are à la carte and add up quickly if you're not on a package. Cultural excursions like water purification ceremonies at Tirta Empul Temple or the 1,700-step ascent to Lempuyang are extra, as is white-water rafting on the Ayung. Daily yoga, estate walks, gym access, and use of Kedara water gardens are complimentary, but you'll likely spend more on treatments, specialized retreat weeks with visiting masters, and private consultations to get the full benefit of being here.
There's no enforced silence or mandatory programming—the structure is optional, so you can skip sunrise yoga or afternoon meditation without judgment. The spiritual framing is Balinese-inflected rather than dogmatic; The Source spring and temple alignments are honored but not forced on guests who just want massages and poolside time. Fitness level matters less than you'd think—activities scale from gentle forest walks to the jungle gym's climbing wall, and your personal assistant helps tailor the schedule. The Estate isn't religious in the conversion sense, but it does occupy sacred land, so expect daily offerings, incense, and references to chakra work and energy balancing. What catches people off-guard is how seriously the resident practitioners take the diagnostic piece—Prasanth Vayanakathu will spend an hour discussing your Ayurvedic constitution and recommend dietary changes, which feels more clinical than spa-like. If you're not ready for that level of personal inquiry, stick to à la carte treatments rather than committing to a Wellness Path.
The 22-acre property is perched above the sacred Ayung River in a jungle gorge, so you're surrounded by constant rushing water sounds, bird calls, and thick forest canopy—immersive in a way that feels meditative to some and slightly claustrophobic to others. Architecture by Cheong Yew Kuan uses local stone, teak, and traditional alang-alang roofing blended seamlessly with the jungle, creating spaces that feel open to nature rather than sealed against it. The newly redesigned Ojas centre features Carrara marble, black Corian, and teak with treatment rooms opening to the canopy, while Wanakasa Residence is a literal treehouse wrapped around an enormous banyan tree. Descending 400 steps to Kedara water gardens—four secluded spring pools beside the rushing Ayung—takes 20 minutes and feels like entering another realm entirely, watching rafting groups float past while you soak. The Estate is intentionally spread out across the terrain, so you'll take buggies between residences, restaurants, and Ojas, which some find charming and others find inconvenient when it rains.
Phones are allowed but discouraged in treatment areas and during yoga—guests tend to self-regulate by leaving devices in rooms, though there's no formal digital detox policy. The vibe at meals is quiet and contemplative rather than social; you'll see solo diners on verandas more often than groups at communal tables, so don't expect to make friends over breakfast. Because the land is spiritually significant to Balinese culture, staff place daily offerings and incense around the property—stepping over them respectfully rather than disturbing them is appreciated. Your personal assistant communicates via WhatsApp to arrange treatments and schedule changes, so checking your phone for logistics is expected even if you're otherwise unplugging. Cultural excursions like Tirta Empul Temple require modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered), and the Estate provides sarongs, but bringing your own lightweight long pants saves hassle. Tipping isn't customary in Bali and COMO adds a service charge, but many guests leave gratuities for personal assistants and therapists who go above and beyond.
Ubud sits in Bali's central highlands, so it's cooler and wetter than the coast—expect afternoon rain showers even in dry season (April-October) and pack a lightweight rain jacket rather than relying on umbrellas when navigating the 400 steps to Kedara. Mornings can be surprisingly cool for sunrise yoga (bring a long-sleeve layer), but by midday it's humid and tropical, so moisture-wicking fabrics are essential. The Estate provides sarongs for temple visits, but bringing your own lightweight pants with elastic waists makes cultural excursions and spa treatments more comfortable than struggling with wrap skirts. Mosquitoes are present despite the staff's best efforts, so bring reef-safe insect repellent—DEET works but the Estate discourages it near the sacred spring. Good walking shoes with grip are critical for the Kedara descent and any rice paddy explorations; flip-flops won't cut it on wet stone steps. Finally, the Estate's laundry service is excellent but slow, so pack enough athletic wear for daily yoga and gym sessions if you're staying a week.
This is not an accessible property in the conventional sense—the 22-acre estate sprawls across steep jungle terrain with hundreds of steps between key areas, including a 400-step descent to Kedara water gardens that's central to the experience. Buggies transport guests between residences, restaurants, and Ojas, which helps, but even within buildings there are often stairs and uneven stone pathways. The newly redesigned Ojas centre and some residence suites are on more level ground, so specify mobility needs during booking and the staff will assign accommodations accordingly and arrange buggy access. Treatments can be brought to private villas for guests who can't navigate the spa facilities. Wheelchair users will find the property extremely challenging, though staff are reportedly willing to problem-solve for guests with advance notice. If you have moderate mobility limitations but can handle some stairs and uneven terrain, the Estate can work—just know you'll miss signature experiences like Kedara and forest walks that involve significant elevation changes.