About 30 delegates from the Global Spa Summit gathered for a pre-summit retreat at Como Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri, in Ubud, Bali.  This property is gorgeous and unique and must be seen to be believed.  The estate “hotel” rooms are a series of buildings which are grouped together in 3’s or 4’s, with a common area and infinity pool in each pod.  Every single room is unique in its design and architecture, and beautifully appointed with features like outdoor baths and showers, balconies, and beautiful polished teak floors.  One pod even has an outdoor pizza kitchen!

We all visited the spa and enjoyed terrific spa services, and the food throughout the resort is very high quality, innovative and delicious.  The level of guest care is extremely high, with everyone from gardeners to kitchen staff greeting guests with a friendly hello at every opportunity.   COMO Spa Operations Director Monica Barter, who runs the spas at the 8 worldwide COMO properties, says that the Balinese people are by nature very caring, which makes her job here a little bit easier.   However, there is still constant training, as at any high-end resort.  Barter uses rewards systems and recognition on a monthly basis, and says that providing a clear career path for her staff is what keeps them around.  They appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow that the company provides them, and it is obvious from the level of care delivered that they really love their jobs.

While at COMO Shambhala, the GSS delegates were invited to participate in a temple blessing ceremony, which involved lots of flowers, rice, water and incense, and was very enjoyable.  The Balinese people have a ceremony for just about everything, and they have great pride in their culture and traditions.  We’re all getting very relaxed here at COMO and are enjoying the fantasy that we live here!  But the real world beckons; the Summit starts very soon.