This Lush Resort in Bali, Indonesia, has a New Spa and Renovated Villas With Private Pools

"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."

Como Shambhala Estate sits on a lush hilltop in Bali where the Ayung and Tibakauh rivers merge, occupying 22 acres of mature tropical jungle. Kedara Water Garden features three spring-fed pools, waterfalls, wooden daybeds, and towering trees that create a tranquil, energetic setting. The resort emphasizes intentional stays focused on relaxation or personalized holistic retreats called Wellness Paths. Guests undergo pre-arrival consultations with Ayurvedic and wellness staff to tailor programs such as Pilates for postural alignment. Acquisition by Como in 2004 expanded resources while preserving the estate's wild character and refined wellness journeys since 1994.

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