Better choice than Como Shambhala Estate for relaxing vacation within 5 hrs from HKG?
 

Hello travel experts,

I have been scratching my head on a question that I think this forum would be best able to help with.

We are looking to take a relaxing vacation in about a month. Our criteria are below, and right now, I can't think of a better option than Como Shambhala Estate in Bali. Do any other suggestions come to mind?

- Within ~5 hrs flight of HKG
- Does not require non-pressurised cabin flights (avoiding due to pregnancy)
- Primarily looking to relax and lounge around, or do light-intensity activities
- Beautiful beach that's conducive to swimming and snorkelling would be wonderful. Beautiful forest scenery also good (i.e., what CSE offers)
- We like a luxury boutique, "cosy" feel - i.e., not too many rooms / guests. We like rustic luxury that blends in with the environment more than say modern, splashy, large-scale luxury
- Time frame: 5-8 nights in about 1 month's time, end Nov / early Dec

Right now, we'd be able to stay at CSE for ~USD1000 per night tax, service charge, all meals, spa treatments and lots of activities - i.e., that is an all-inclusive price. Is there a better deal than this we could get at any place that fits above criteria?

The Amanpuri, which we've loved, would meet the above criteria but cost would be much higher than CSE on all-inclusive basis.

Many thanks in advance for what I anticipate to be great advice!

aman bali break / bali experience with 4th night free during low season brings rates down a lot

several fans of como shambhala estate here, and they are all amanjunkies
if any of the residences are empty at como shambhala estate, great accommodations

Aman Bali Experience +1

CSE has no beach

Kila has boats , been on a few times - a cruise with snorkelling
Sometimes possible get the boat to oneself if no one signs up for the complimentary activities .
Sandra W is there & can work something out for you . Amanjunkies have been well taken care of . :-: :-:
Mark S will add sparkle ;)

If a beach is important, Bali is not the best in Nov/Dec. It will be rainy, and the ocean can be quite unsafe for swimming. Water also tends to be murky, so very poor visibility for snorkeling. I've also noticed beaches are also dirtier with more debris in the wet season.

I'm struggling to think of a resort that can offer as much as CSE for that price. Otherwise, I'd agree about trying out the Amans in Bali- especially Amankila. You might not get to do much swimming in the ocean, but the beaches are beautiful and staff do their best to keep it clean of trash.

Amano'i !!
Within a national park , not quite a forest but sort of Mediterranean vegetation .
Spectacular scenery with 2 amazing pools & a few " private " beaches for swimming & I was told snorkelling but didn't have time to try .
If you get a pool pavilion , likely another with a view ' to die for ' .

Sean F & team will take the usual Aman care we have been accustomed to .

I ' m trying to return to more and / or some I haven't been to before the ethos changes ( more ) :(

Better choice than Como Shambhala Estate for relaxing vacation within 5 hrs from HKG?
 

As mentioned by someone above, COMO Shambala Estates is a good hour away from the ocean and is inland in Ubud. AMAN properties are amazing but extremely expensive.... Definitely more than CSE's all-inclusive rates you listed. For a great experience beachside at lower costs, you may want to book with a Virtuoso-affiliated travel advisor (I am one but feel free to go to anyone you know) so you can get upgrades, breakfast, resort credit, etc - some alternate properties are Anantara Uluwatu, Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Ritz-Carlton Bali. All are beachside in the southern part of Bali.

If you're open to catching another short flight from Bali, the neighboring island of Lombok offers a much cheaper and more relaxed alternative. Oberoi Lombok and Kunci Villas are awesome with amazing beach views.

aman : low season + Exclusive + 4th nt free = dirt cheap

We did Aman Bali & Beyond (Nusa, Wana, Dari, Kila) around that time last year and were fortunate to have great weather for the entire trip, with the exception of torrential rain on the day of departure (we were also out of HKG, and pregnant...). I wouldn't do 4 properties in your timeframe but maybe two on Bali?

Personally if I were going to do one resort I would do Pulo (and indeed we are heading there in a few weeks) but I assume you may have ruled that out based on your plane comment? Amanoi is stunning and a great idea as previously mentioned. Sean F was recently telling us of some new activities/excursions he has been working on; they sound great (e.g. dinner at a local's house, a la Pak Bilal's house at 'Jiwo..)

My personal choice in similar situation to you was http://www.templetree.com.my/ in Langkawi. Alternative was Hanging Gardens Ubud. Temple Tree is quite different and the kind of luxury where there are holes in the floor & walls of the building (which is impeccably maintained). Great food and wine (better than CSE) but a whole different scale and approach to luxury. Its my "roughing it" choice though cost was $1000/day at last stay so no cheaper, just different. And worth it, but you make of it what you will, or what you are able.

Just thinking that Amankila is not great, given all those steps, when you're pregnant. Equally, COMO Shambhala has quite a few steep climbs, especially to the spa, although the food there is superb.

How about The Chedi Tanah Gajah in Ubud - all on one level, small, beautiful, relaxing and with amazing food from Chef Dean.

Rainy season, of course, so not perfect.

Amanpulo is under 5 hours from HKG via Cathay, but probably too expensive.

Phuket - Point Yamu by COMO, Trisara, The Boat House?

I can give another vote for the Chedi. What a marvelous property that is exceptionally priced, given all the inclusives (laundry everyday, minibar, etc.). The food was fantastic and the room, while somewhat "rustic-styled" was A+.

dont do chedi/etc when aman bali has expiring 4th nt free in low season

for that matter, same argument says to do CSE later rather than now

At Kila , their " buggy " can be used to avoid steps :cool: ; well used when I had a foot / leg injury before arrival so it was really a life saver .
Also by octogenarian parents :D

Nusa has a nice beach . :-:

Best to just enjoy the Kila & Nusa beach bales though :-:

Trisara "beach " is poor , very ' corally '
Pt Yamu has no beach until you get to their island by boat

Another vote for Chedi. We, at almost quite literally the last minute, diverted and ended up spending three nights there after learning how bad the smoke would be in Singapore. Did this from the Concorde room a mere hour before our flight left for Changi.

And thank goodness; we had a fantastic stay, which was utterly relaxing. And our timing was rather fortuitous, as we had perfect weather, and the rice crop was just being harvested ... so, lush, tall, and vibrant.

Yes, I know you can get a buggy at Kila, but it does mean you have to be driven everywhere, which is not great, especially if there is a better choice. Nusa has the best beach, I think, but the villas are mostly reached via steep steps, so a similar problem.

Trisara's beach is not as poor as many people suggest, especially if you just want to lounge on it - it is a beautiful setting. If you want to swim, there's always the platform that juts into the sea. Agree about Point Yamu, but it's still a nice experience.

And another vote from me. We had a marvelous stay.

to clarify my comment re free night at aman >

FHR 4th nt free bali and sara/taka - expires in jan
bali low season through jan from $600
$450 after free night

FHR 4th nt free expires in dec for noi and others
noi low season through nov $650
$488 after free night

FHR "Offer may be repeated during stay."
$600 exclusive (returning to old low for 7 night, new low for 6 night) becomes $450
$650 exclusive becomes $488
$700 (new) low season rate becomes $525

$450 aman bali (exclusives include one activity/excursion per resort and breakfast)
$488 amanoi
vs
$430 chedi after (standard regularly offered) 3rd nt free (pool villa and club inclusions)

possibility of confirmed upgrade should be discussed with aman

I wish those Aman Bali offers were good during high season of Xmas/NYE. Would jump ALL over that.

they are available, pretty rare if not extremely rare, let alone for aman
this happened when they extended into next year
https://www.americanexpressfhr.com/fhr/offers/

blackout

kila 12/21-12/23

dari
12/21-12/23
1/1-1/4

nusa
12/21-12/23
12/28-12/31
1/1

sara
12/20-12/23
1/1-1/3

taka - none

Unfortunately while I see the 4th night free on FHR, the cheapest room is $1200++ (Ocean Suite) at Kila - the lower categories must be already sold out.

This is for 12/26 - 12/30, although 12/26 - 1/2 is what I actually want.

EDIT: Garden Suite from 12/26 - 12/29 is still $950++, that seems like high season rate to me (as it really should be).

Exclusives drop that $50 or $100
then free night (rare over holidays)

my bad, forgot >
low season is nov to mar, except holidays - xmas/nye, CNY, easter

im thinking the free night offer is more about marketing, and should not be assumed to be a signal that new ownership of aman will now always have free night offers, especially when they already added low seasons to all amans that didnt have it

don't want to hijack the thread but... any thoughts on rolling the dice on Bali weather Dec 6-10? Just 4 nights, am scared it will rain the whole time?

Sorry - can you explain how the exclusives work? You can layer it over the FHR 4th night free?

Exclusives on Amanresorts website should combine with free night offers

If budget isn't a big part of the decision, OP could go to Pulo and charter a jet out of Manila. I believe the runway is now long enough to accommodate. Of course their rates and the cost of the jet will make things considerably more expensive than the other alternatives. However, maybe OP has partial ownership or something... I am not making assumptions, just providing alternatives. :)

turboprops can be a lot cheaper than jets
if jet, definitely doesnt require stop in manila
did i miss a post saying no budget?

No... OP was talking about $1000/nt but it wasn't clear if that was a limit, a target, or just a reference point. I was just thinking of pressurized cabins as asked for by OP; I am not in the market for charter flights enough (meaning... never!) to know if some turboprops have pressurized cabins. If they do, then you are spot on.

Turboprops, which are technically a type of jet aircraft (as opposed to piston engine), are always pressurized AFAIK. Certainly King Air, Piper Meridian, Socata TBM, Pilatus etc... are.

The Pulo turbo props are fine .
I avoided Pulo for years due to this issue but glad we eventually went .
Thanks to frequent promptings , " shocked disbelief " that we still hadn't every time we stayed at Kila & assurances by Tracy A , GM of Kila then .
It was a case of better late than never but to think I could have relished Pulo ages ago .. :rolleyes:
So if you are planning to visit , just do !!
Way better than CSE .

If pregnant don't go to Pulo. Closer to medical care is better. In any case you probably already made up you mind.