So much more than a dot on the map, the most special escapes are those that foster the making of vivid memories. This is achieved by crafting intimate moments that reveal the true colors, textures, flavors and frequency of a place, and it’s a concept COMO Hotels and Resorts grasps completely. Spanning Ubud’s restorative springs to the wild wonders of Rottnest Island, we zoom in on nine of the brand’s unique and unforgettable experiences.
Exploring Ubud, with its many temples and canang sari or daily offerings, it’s abundantly clear how Balinese Hinduism is woven into the fabric of life here. COMO Shambhala Estate connects guests to this vibrant spirituality through one of its most sacred elements. During a Water Spring Blessing guided by a local priest, one soaks in the garden’s ancient spring beside a statue of Ganesha—the god known for removing obstacles and bringing good fortune—and anointed with holy water to symbolize the renewing of mind and soul.
Just as water is sacred in Bali, the whole of nature is revered, as it’s all interconnected. At COMO Uma Ubud, a local expert guides guests through the region’s lush, living rainforest. Along the way, they point out Hindu and Buddhist temples and expand on how the natural and spiritual worlds are inextricably linked.
While COMO Uma Canggu is ever so close to sea level, the beachfront retreat will take those who wish to see the landscape from greater heights up to Mount Batur. After taking in the edge of the active volcano’s more than 20,000-year-old crater, guests straddle bikes for an at-your-own-pace freewheel back down to the village of Sebali.
The flavor of food is amplified when the rest of one’s senses are also delighted. COMO Cocoa Island understands the interplay of sight, sound, smell and taste as exemplified in their private sandbank dining experiences. The choices span breakfast just as the sun’s warm rays rise to bathe the landscape in light to a five-course dinner under the stars, all set to a soothing soundtrack of lapping waves and gentle sea breezes.
For those who’ve longed to be a castaway on a desert island, albeit with all the creature comforts and the guarantee of a rescue, COMO Maalifushi will grant that wish. Guests who request it are whisked away to Lavadhoo, the resort’s private, uninhabited isle, for a gourmet sunset dinner followed by a peaceful sleep in a tented bed set atop the sand.
The award-winning beach that encircles COMO Parrot Cay is what draws discerning travelers to this private island in the Caribbean, but the destination’s beauty isn’t solely found in its pristine white sands. Here, there are also tucked-away mangrove forests teeming with life—the captivating secrets of these wildlife refuges are revealed in a guided kayak tour through the serene waters that surround them.
In the heart of Renaissance Italy, a resplendent, restored 12th-century castle is set amongst undulating hills—this is COMO Castello Del Nero. Within the estate’s verdant woods, truffles grow and, guided by seasoned hunter, guests can go in search of them. Uncovering this rare delicacy isn’t the only reward though. Following the hunt, a four-course lunch is served, with each dish designed to truly showcase this fruiting body’s unique umami flavor.
In the smallest of towns, within one of the world’s foremost wine regions, COMO Le Montrachet is a French countryside retreat that knows how to romance oenophiles. Beyond the 19th-century inn’s 17,000 cellared bottles, there are the rest of the Burgundy’s Côte-d’Or offerings to taste, on either a full or half-day guided tour to the historic wine houses along Beaune’s cobbled streets and behind the walls of the region’s most prestigious vineyards.
In Perth, Australia’s westernmost metropolis, COMO The Treasury balances bustle with beach. Housed within historic state buildings, this open, airy boutique hotel in the Central Business District grants it guests all the city benefits—shopping and dining galore—and the option to escape to Rottnest Island, a nature reserve 12 miles off the coast known for its beautiful beaches and wonderous wildlife, including the smiley Quokka.
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