"As a travel curator who has lived in Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, London, New York and Sydney and travelled the world extensively, it takes quite a lot to genuinely stop me in my tracks. COMO Shambhala Estate managed it. This is quiet luxury at its finest - the clientele is understated, the setting is 23 acres of Balinese jungle above the sacred Ayung River, and the service operates on a level I have rarely experienced. They are not just anticipating your needs, they are pre-empting them before you’ve even had the thought yourself. I walked down to Kedara - the three holy water spring pools you can swim in, expecting to be alone, lost in the jungle, when a staff member appeared seemingly from nowhere with a cool face cloth and chilled water with lime. I hadn’t asked. That is the standard here. A special mention for our butler Shafa, who was genuinely one of the kindest people I’ve encountered in hospitality. She arrived at our villa by buggy with cocktails within minutes of a WhatsApp message, and on one occasion escorted me to breakfast and made sure I was seated, she pre-empted I needed more time at Kedara so moved my spa appointment accordingly. All small things that make the difference. Wellness programmes spanning Ayurvedic healing to nervous system rebalancing. I tried the Shirodhara head oil treatment for the first time and didn’t want it to end. It finished with a body scrub and outdoor shower. With just 31 residences there was barely another soul in sight — which probably explains the A-list following. One tip - get down to the Kedara spring pools early in the day. If it rains the path closes and you cannot go down. Trust me, you do not want to miss them. I was already thinking about coming back before I’d even left. Alison Chow (Coco Ribbon Curates)"

"We had such an amazing experience here. The grounds, the food, the staff and all of the amenities are just flawless. Everyone was so kind but special thanks to Shafa and Yasmini for exceptional services. Thank you for a wonderful stay!"

"Having had the opportunity to experience the serene atmosphere of Ubud at COMO Shambhala Estate, it was truly a memorable stay, with exceptional service from the moment of arrival until departure. The entire team was attentive and welcoming, ensuring that all our needs were met even before we asked. The room was beautiful, featuring a spacious terrace with an open-air daybed, perfect for relaxation. A special highlight was the pool, offering a stunning view of lush greenery that created a calming and refreshing ambiance after a busy period. A heartfelt thank you to Ms Karti, our butler during the stay, whose dedication and passion were truly remarkable. Everything was thoughtfully prepared in advance, making our experience seamless and comfortable. I would also like to extend our appreciation to Mr Purna for his assistance during check in for driving us to the room showing us around and sharing his recommendations for Ubud, as well as to the housekeeping and breakfast teams for their excellent support. It is hard to describe anything less than outstanding, an exceptional service experience and a truly memorable stay. We would absolutely return in the future. Thank you!!"

"I booked a stay at COMO Shambhala for my parents’ anniversary, and it exceeded every expectation. The staff went above and beyond to make their visit special. Their room was stunning with an incredible view, and the property itself is immaculate—lush, tranquil, and truly transporting. The food was both hearty and delicious, and every staff member they encountered was warm and attentive. The airport transportation arranged by the hotel was also reliable and on time, which made everything seamless. My parents said it was their favorite stays ever. I really wanted this to be a special trip for them, and I’m so appreciative of everything the staff did to make it truly unforgettable."

"COMO Shambhala is truly something special. Tucked into the jungle of Ubud and backing onto the Ayung River, the setting alone is magical—especially the 400 steps leading down to serene natural pools beside the rushing river. From the moment we arrived, the experience was seamless. Dayu and Sapha arranged everything beautifully, from a sunrise temple visit to exploring rice fields, a coffee farm, and Ubud itself. Our Dirga was kind, safe, and a joy to spend time with. Our guide, Yudian, made the trip unforgettable. A local from a nearby village, she brought such warmth and depth to every experience—from guiding us through Bali to leading a deeply moving water blessing ceremony with traditional music. We even brought her rafting with us on the Ayung, which says everything. What truly sets Shambhala apart is its people—every single person we encountered was warm, genuine, and attentive. Without a doubt, the best hotel staff I’ve ever experienced. Pure magic from start to finish."