Como Shambhala Estate, Bali, Indonesia Como Shambhala Estate, Indonesia institutions in the world, Clinique La Prairie first opened its doors back in 1931, and has since worked towards providing science-backed, holistic solutions to wellness. The location of the retreat is one of its biggest highlights, located in the postcard perfect town of Montreux in Clarens where you can get undisputed views of the Swiss Alps and the Lake Geneva. The design and ambience of the resort resemble a charming old world hotel with contemporary décor and a few statement pieces thrown here and there. Wanting to keep it quiet and peaceful, the hotel has only about 38 lavishly designed accommodations; as one would expect, the view from every room is simply stunning. The programs at the resort come under four main pillars – longevity, wellbeing, beauty, and medical all of which are built on pillars of evidence-based medicine, wellness, nutrition and movement. While each of these offerings are praiseworthy, it is the resort’s specialisation in longevity that has been most applauded. In fact, the resort even won the “Medi Spa of the Year” award at the Destination Deluxe Awards in 2019. This incorporates a revitalisation programme that focuses on genetic testing and stem-cell therapy, and a modernisation process that includes a range of ultra-luxe longevity supplements. To further the wellness experience, the resort combines state-of-the-art medicine and technology, coupled with innovative wellbeing and nutrition plans which include delicious, vegan and Michelin-starworthy food, curated as per each guest’s own nutritional requirements. COMO Shambhala Estate —Bali, Indonesia A mystical experience, Bali’s COMO Shambhala Estate sits right in the middle of nature, atop the Ayung River surrounded by 23 acres of lush tropical forest. There’s nothing but peace and tranquillity here, isolation in the middle of nature; the closest town from the resort is Ubud which is located about 10kms away. Keeping with the theme of nature and natural surroundings, the resort opts for a rustic theme for the ambience – indigenous plants and trees, local wood and stone, and traditional décor, all of which echo Balinese culture and tradition. For accommodations, guest can choose from standalone villas and multi-suite residences. Each of the five residences come with a private pool, a communal lounge area, and a fire pit, while the villas feature private lounges and open-air soaking baths. COMO Shambhala offers three distinct programs – Cleanse, Ayurveda, and Be Active retreats. They also have an additional Bespoke package that is customised for each’s individual needs. The programs here are designed to help with a range of problems including stress management, weight management and diet change, detoxification etc. And so, activities such as yoga, pilates and treks through rice paddies are organised to help guests be more active while treatments like meditation, hydrotherapy, massages help them relax and rejuvenate. Food is the most important part of any healing journey, and the resort’s main restaurant, Glow, offers a selection of locally sourced choices that are both healthy and delicious. Kamalaya —Koh Samui, Thailand Kamalaya is probably one of the most famous wellness retreats in Asia, and it is also among the best. A beautiful hillside property on Koh Samui’s serene coast, Kamalaya is where you go for the ultimate meditation retreat. The location of the resort – the sacred hillside is said to have been frequented by Buddhist monks for decades, further proving the tranquillity and peaceful nature of the destination. Being a five-star retreat, Kamalaya boasts some spectacular contemporary interiors in neutral tones with a significant selection of rustic elements to blend the indoors with the outdoors. Staying true to Thai culture, you will find thatched-roofed villas, breezy pavilions, tumbling waterfalls, lotus ponds, and of course, the resort’s very own ancient meditation cave. For those who prefer open air to caves, the resort has a number of quiet corners that make for a peaceful meditation spot. Guests are spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodations; choose from – sunny hillside suites with balconies to split-level villas and cavernous beachfront villas perched on giant boulders with outdoor bathrooms and private infinity pools. The latter is one of the best and most comfortable abodes. Being one of the best wellness retreats in Asia, Kamalaya has a generous selection of wellness programs to choose from including detox, stress and burnout, emotional balance, yoga, weight loss, sleep enhancement, resilience and immunity, and wellness sabbaticals as well as a bunch of tailormade retreats. Each of these programs are conducted with consultation from experienced naturopaths, traditional Chinese medicine doctors, therapists and health practitioners that contribute to each guest’s own personalised itinerary. 46|L U X E B O O K|F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3 |L U X E B O O K|47
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