Just because you're on a detox holiday, it doesn't mean you need to feel deprived. Back in October, I checked out a wellness retreat that leaves guests feeling cared-for and calm.
A Retreat to Remember
We’re officially into the new year, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be feeling pretty grim and vowing to consume nothing but boiled broccoli and lemon water for the entire month of January. I’m sitting at my desk feeling splodgy and perpetually hungover and dreaming about a trip I took to Bali a few months ago, where I spent three glorious days in a state of health-induced bliss. The retreat in question is the COMO Shambhala Estate in Ubud, a nine-hectare, 52-residence space that sits on the edge of a ravine overlooking the Ayung River. With its indigenous stone work and low key-but-luxe villas and sprawling residences, it blends seamlessly into the surrounding jungle. It has won accolades from the likes of Conde Nast Traveler, Asia Spa and The Sunday Times Travel Magazine for best international spa and best destination spa.
The Programs
Visitors to the Estate sign on for a three-, five- or seven-night wellness program that’s then individually tailored to their interests and needs. For instance, while I went for the “Rejuvenation” program, which features massage, body treatments, private yoga and a private consultation with the on-site dietitian, the ever-active M went for “Get Fit,” which comes with a personal training session, a sports massage and a “special adventure” (see more in box, right). This actually makes the Estate a great option for couples, as you can have your own program, but still meet up throughout the day for meals as well as the many free activities that the Estate puts on for all its visitors. From meditation, yoga and Pilates to aqua therapy, guided treks, outdoor training sessions and even lectures on health and wellness, there’s plenty to keep you entertained and fighting fit.
Green and Gorgeous
With that said, one of the most enjoyable parts of our stay was simply exploring the Estate itself. It’s green and gorgeous, with giant trees and oversized ferns giving the whole place a Middle Earth vibe. There are steep steps that take you all the way down to the river, with yoga pavilions and natural springs (modified slightly so that you can swim in them) dotted along the way. Pack a picnic and sit on a grassy patch by the river, or even arrange to have a spa treatment down there. It can all be attended to by your residence’s personal assistant, who manages your schedule and gets you from place to place during your stay.
Fuel For Your Body
The program also includes all your meals, and the food at the Estate is so much more than just your regular all-inclusive muck. Glow is the main restaurant (there's also Kudus House, which is open for breakfast and served healthy Indonesian food in the evenings), and in addition to a standard healthy menu of innovative international fare, there’s also a raw menu (for those on the “Cleansing” program) that features delicious dishes made with pressed nuts and seeds, ultra-fresh fruit and vegetables, and a particularly delicious raw cocoa ice cream that deserves a special mention. It’s uncanny—but we never had any cravings or desire for snacks during our entire stay. The idea of eating anything carb-laden or deep-fried quite simply didn’t cross our minds—and that’s really saying something coming from a sugar junkie such as myself.
So as I sit here in my post-new year funk, all I want is to hop on a plane and head back for a few days to get some sunshine, stroll around the grounds and start feeling human again. If you’ve never done a health retreat before and the idea of spartan bungalows and rabbit food doesn’t appeal, I suggest you check out what COMO Shambhala has to offer. Chinese New Year sounds like a pretty good time for a health-kick do-over, right?