COMO Uma Ubud

Whether a sun-worshipper, a food fanatic or a yogi, add COMO Uma Ubud to your Bali bucket list. Just north of Ubud’s bustling centre, COMO Uma Ubud will bring a feeling of peace and tranquillity to anyone staying at this stunning luxury retreat resort that overlooks the Tjampuhan Valley.

Lucy Pearson

COMO Uma Ubud sits beautifully among the vast jungle-covered property north of Ubud town centre, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

COMO Uma Ubud Review

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As a hotel group whose philosophy lies in the quiet comfort found in inspiring and culture-rich locations, and with a portfolio that includes a number of exotic hot spots including Miami, the Maldives and the Turks and Caicos Islands, it’s little wonder that there are three COMO hotels in Bali, an island known for its rich heritage and stunning backdrops.

On the day we checked in the sky was overcast with looming grey clouds and a veil of mist over the distant horizon. Rather than dampening the views of the hotel, if anything, it made for a more dramatic setting.

We were welcomed with a cold towel and refreshing drink, both of which were greatly appreciated given the balmy temperature, before being shown to our villa.

With just 46 rooms, COMO Uma Ubud retains a boutique hotel charm, despite its impressive size. It also features an onsite Italian restaurant, open-air yoga pavilion and the iconic COMO Shambhala Retreat and wellness facilities.

Our private pool where our Uma Pool Villa meets the jungle fringe at COMO Uma Ubud, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

Uma Pool Villa

We stayed in one of the hotel’s Uma Pool Villa, which had incredible views of the Tjampuhan Valley and our own private infinity pool that overlooked the lush greens Ubud is so well-known for.

The room itself was beautiful in its simplicity with luxurious creature comforts; from the platter of fresh fruit waiting for us, to the stand-alone bathtub and hurricane lamp on the outdoor decking.

The bed was a four-poster and there was an additional living area between the bedroom and the terrace, perfect for lounging in.

With beautiful interiors that combined shades of white and wood, the room was a sanctuary in itself, with unrivalled luxury and proximity to Ubud’s jungle that spoke to the hotel’s ethos of quiet and unassuming comfort.

The incredible interiors at the Uma Pool Villa at COMO Uma Ubud, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

Crisp, modern white interiors with touches of wood make COMO Uma Ubud a true luxury Bali resort. Image © Lucy Pearson

Marble, clean white and luxury touches in the Uma Pool Villa bathroom at COMO Uma Ubud, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

A perfect afternoon plan in the Uma Pool Villa at COMO Uma Ubud, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

Yoga Overlooking the Tjampuhan Valley

After relaxing in our room and enjoying the plunge pool for a couple of hours we made our way to the yoga pavilion for the afternoon’s practice. The setting for the yoga class could not have been more breathtaking; and as shallow as it sounds, nothing quite beats a yoga class with a beautiful backdrop.

As a qualified yoga teacher holidaying with one of my sisters who have little, if any, yogi experience, I was slightly apprehensive prior to the class in case the pace was either too trying for my sister, or too leisurely for me, as someone who likes to work up a sweat during my practice.

I shouldn’t have worried; run by a local Ubudian, the class incorporated a beautiful flow and those practising were able to do so at their own level.

A gale swept over the nearby river as we neared the end of the class, and transcending into Savasana pose while listening to the pouring rain was a grounding and quite wonderful experience.

Walking through the grounds back to our room before our evening dinner I was struck by just how green the hotel’s grounds were; the windy passages leading to the pool villas behind the hotel’s infinity pool were flanked by tropical plants and add a really beautiful touch to what is already a stunning spot.

Peace and tranquility at COMO Uma Ubud, Bali where the property overlooks the gorgeous Tjampuhan Valley. Image © Lucy Pearson

Yoga overlooking the Tjampuhan Valley at COMO Shambhala Retreat, Ubud, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

Uma Cucina

The in-house restaurant, Uma Cucina (or home kitchen for the Italians among us) was certainly one of the highlights of our stay. While Ubud has an abundance of healthy eateries boasting raw, vegan and macrobiotic food galore, prior to dining at Uma Cucina I was yet to find a decent Italian.

The menu, while deliciously decadent, still managed to maintain a healthy edge, and visitors are able to choose from a variety of small plates, main plates and puddings.

We opted for the burrata and jumbo octopus to start, followed by the grilled tiger prawns and short rib ragu with handmade pasta and a side of polenta chips and charred corn. Perfectly portioned plates, the food is locally sourced and seriously tasty.

For pudding, I opted for the chocolate nemesis; my sister for the lemon and ricotta tartlet and suffice it to say that not a morsel was left on our plates. We returned to our room, in which the hurricane lamp had been lit, our bedding turned down and slippers and bathrobes laid out ready for the night ahead.

Uma Cucina is a must-dine restaurant for COMO Uma guests or those just visiting Ubud, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

Kemiri

Breakfast at Kemiri the next morning rivalled the previous night’s fare; and as well as a buffet with fresh yoghurts, fruits and pastries, there’s a menu guests can choose from. Unable to choose between savoury and sweet – a dilemma I always have when ordering breakfast – we opted for sweetcorn fritters with smoked salmon and ricotta, avocado on seeded crackers and hotcakes with candied nuts and strawberries.

Picture perfect breakfast from the signature COMO Shambhala menu at Kemiri, COMO Uma Ubud, Bali. Image © Lucy Pearson

COMO Shambhala Retreat

Post breakfast, feeling suitably satiated, I headed for the hotel spa, part of the COMO Shambhala Retreat for a sixty-minute massage. The hotel has a signature scent used in all their toiletries, which the spa was fragranced with, and alongside the sounds of Balinese music, it made for a relaxing and welcoming ambience.

The therapist focused on one side of my body before moving to the other and used a firm pressure and a series of oils for a truly relaxing treatment. On leaving, I felt restored and rejuvenated and it marked the perfect end to our stay at COMO.

The lack of sunshine during our time at COMO was actually a blessing in disguise. Usually, my sister and I will happily while away endless hours sunbathing under the Balinese sun. However, the lack it gave us the impetus to explore and enjoy the hotel more.

The perfect getaway, whatever the weather, COMO Uma Ubud is a resort that offers visitors a scenic and stunning stay that they will remember long after they’ve left.