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Como Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri

COST: $$

<p>Billing itself not as a resort but as a “retreat for change,” this lush private estate employs a small army of life coaches, energy healers, yoga masters, and nutritionists to help guests “make informed life changes.” (Among the recently informed: Donna Karan and Annie Lenox.) The property's five residences, created with local stone, woods, and ylang-ylang thatching by Malaysian architect Cheong Yew Kuan, are scattered among sunny clearings carved out of the river-banked jungle and the mountain turf of Northern Ubud. Each includes four or five suites, furnished with old-world antique charm (many with Victorian antique baths, carved Venetian and Dutch colonial beds, and Oriental rugs); and each shares a large common living room and chaise-surrounded pool. Those requiring privacy can book one of the four freestanding retreat villas, which have their own private spa rooms for treatments-for-two. For the purification-inclined, Glow restaurant serves a menu of dishes made with organic ingredients.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Take advantage of the resort's free activities, which include mountain biking, trekking, yoga, reiki, and an aquatherapy soaking pool. </p> <p><strong>Room to book:</strong> The Titra-Ening (Clear-Water) residence has an exquisite Japanese water garden, with a private waterfall and a floating pool pavilion.</p>

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From Travel + Leisure , NOV 2006

Como has revamped its Begawan property into a holistic spa, and Pansea opened Ubud Hanging Gardens last summer, in a dramatic Ayung River gorge....MORE>>

– Christopher R. Cox Paradise Regained?

From Travel + Leisure , SEP 2006

Ayurvedic treatments at Christina Ong's new Como Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri, hidden in the forests near Ubud, Bali....MORE>>

– Peter Jon Lindberg Take the New Grand Tour: Asia

From Travel + Leisure , DEC 2005

Added on to the original Begawan Giri­—where each of the five villas has its own infinity pool—are nine treatment rooms, an open-air yoga studio, several lounging pavilions, and two restaurants with exotic menus that can be tailored to any dietary whim (spelt samosa with Bedugul fruit chutney, anyone?)....MORE>>

– T+L Reports: Asian Idyll

Last updated November 2006