COMO Shambhala Estate

Shake up your chakras at Bali's most luxurious health retreat, deep within the rainforest overlooking the stunning River Ayung

So you've sailed around the world, seen the Big Five on safari and exhausted all the Med's hotspots. How do you top all that? Answer: shake off the stresses of life in the most luxurious way possible – and realign your chi while you're at it. The COMO Shambhala Estate isn't just a hotel. Nor is it just a top-notch health retreat. It's a sumptuous combination of the two, staggered up the steep slopes of the sacred Ayung river gorge. Previously known as Begawan Giri, the estate has been revamped - and beautifully so.

The incredible Residences and Villas display the COMO trademark Asian-meets-European decor. Alang-alang roofs shelter hand-carved furniture and Chinese antiques; baths are carved from Sumban stone. Each has a private butler and infinity pool. But the real wow factor is the holistic element – this is where people come to detox, de-stress and revitalise their lives for good. Sit in the healing spring, learn tai'chi or meditation and pamper yourself with Ayurvedic treatments.

Highs

• One of the world's most beautiful hotels with 9 acres of stunning tropical grounds, riverside forest and plunging hill terraces
• Award-winning spa offering a host of holistic therapies and fitness activities
• One of Bali's most luxurious hotels with huge, uniquely styled Residences (each with four or five suites) plus 4 Private Villas and 5 Retreat Villas, each with their own pool
• Impeccable 5* service
• Amazing architecture which blends into the natural surroundings
• Fab healthy organic food
• Even at full occupancy, it feels very private and secluded

Lows

• A 20-minute drive from Ubud, the setting is pretty remote and once you're there, you probably won't leave the grounds
• You may have to share your pool and living areas with other guests. For total privacy book an entire Residence or one of the self-contained Villas
• The stone steps leading down to the river are steep and not suitable for the less agile; once you're down, it's a heart-pumping climb back to the top!
• It's not cheap – but it is definitely worth it