Personalized wellness regimes, biometric testing, digital detox, guided meditation…just to name a few of the wellness trends that are gaining traction as White Lotus mania hits fever pitch for Season 3 in Thailand. While The White Lotus may be fictional, White Lotus-level wellness is not, and travelers looking to experience this are invited to embrace the COMO Shambhala ethos with COMO Hotels & Resorts for a truly transformative retreat.
Meaning ‘peace’ in Sanskrit, Shambhala alludes to the pursuit of balance and offers guests the ideal antidote to the stresses of modern life. With its origins at the award-winning COMO Shambhala Estate in the lush rainforests of Ubud, Bali, the COMO Shambhala ethos of holistic wellbeing permeates every aspect of the guest experience at COMO’s 18 global properties - from restorative spa treatments utilizing ancient healing techniques, to nourishing culinary offerings that champion local ingredients, to immersive experiences that speak to the rich cultural heritage of the resorts’ surrounds. Not to mention the highly-personalized COMO Shambhala Wellness Paths, which we dare say provided some of the inspiration for the programs that White Lotus guests have embarked on this season.
COMO Point Yamu
Nestled on the tip of Cape Yamu, COMO’s Phuket resort, COMO Point Yamu boasts panoramic views of Phang Nga Bay from every direction. The property offers guests 79 rooms and suites, as well as 27 private villas, each of which has been carefully curated by the Milanese interior designer Paola Navone, with the azure waters of the Andaman Sea lending inspiration for the calming blue and turquoise accents, offset by cool white and grey Sino-patterned tiled and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Of course, indulgent holistic wellness experiences are available at the property’s COMO Shambhala Retreat, which offers a wide array of Asian-inspired COMO Shambhala therapies along with a range of daily wellness activities to promote physical and mental wellbeing. Guests are invited to settle into one of the eight treatment rooms and feel the weight of the world melt away with signature treatments such as the COMO Shambhala Massage or traditional Thai Massage - both designed to rebalance the body and rejuvenate the mind. Should guests be seeking a more immersive, restorative experience, a COMO Shambhala Wellness Package is recommended. Combining multiple treatments and modalities to offer targeted benefits, the Wellness Packages take place over the course of a day and focus on specific outcomes, i.e. ‘COMO Shambhala Active,’ ‘COMO Shambhala Cleanse’ and ‘COMO Shambhala Sleep.’ Following a massage, wellness package or other healing body ritual, guests are encouraged to recline in the Retreat’s dedicated relaxation area and enjoy a cup of warming tea while drinking in the tranquil vistas of the bay below. To further unwind before or after a treatment, the wellness center boasts sauna, steam and hydropool facilities. Finally, for those seeking more active pursuits, there is a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment and yoga studio with complimentary daily classes.
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok
Located in the bustling business district of Sathorn, COMO Metropolitan Bangkok is a luxurious urban escape that offers sleek, urban-style guest rooms with a contemporary Asian aesthetic. Designed by Kathryn Kng, the 169 city rooms and penthouse suites are decorated with Thai makha wood and artwork by painter Natee Utarit as an ode to local craftsmanship.
The property is fully equipped with COMO Shambhala Urban Escape wellness facilities boasting 10 treatment rooms, a yoga studio, hydro pools, and an outdoor lap pool for guests seeking a peaceful respite from the city's hustle and bustle. Guests are invited to refresh their body and mind with invigorating, replenishing therapies that speak to local healing techniques. As at COMO Point Yamu, the Thai Massage is one of the Escape’s most popular treatments - a traditional healing journey that assists in unblocking trapped energy and boosting vitality. Sometimes known as ‘passive yoga,’ COMO’s award-winning therapists maneuver the body into yoga-like stretching positions, applying pressure along the meridians to mobilize the joints. To further enhance the experience, guests can opt for the Traditional Thai Herbal Treatment, which has the indulgent addition of warm poultices packed with traditional Thai herbs and essential oils for a true sensory experience.
