Cover Rooftop pool in the Penthouse suite

The idyllic beachside getaway for surfers, lovers, and families

Bali is known for many things—its abundance of culturally-rich religious sites, iconic rice paddies, forested volcanic mountains, assortment of beaches, spectacular coral reefs, and of course, its endless stream of resorts and retreats vying for a share of the enduring tourist population. Como’s property in the tropical paradise, however, isn’t squeezing in with other luxury players in resort towns Seminyak or Sanur. Instead, the hospitality brand has its eye on a lesser known coastal village—Canggu, an up-and-coming destination that is already a favourite amongst expats and surfers.

With already two properties in Bali—Como Shambhala Estate, the luxury hotel collection’s flagship wellness retreat; and Como Uma Ubud, a rustic resort nestled in Ubud’s tropical jungle—which fully embrace the island’s rich culture and heritage through architecture and interior design, Como adopts a distinctly different approach towards Como Uma Canggu, catering to the village’s vibrant scene of digital nomads and beach lovers. The result? A cosmopolitan melting pot that borrows from both modern-Asian and European design principles.

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Photo 1 of 3 Exterior of Como Uma Canggu
Photo 2 of 3 Lagoon pool
Photo 3 of 3 Walkway to hotel rooms and residences

1. First Impressions

Opening its doors just last year, Como Uma Canggu manages to find a place for itself between the languid vibes of Canggu and the cosmopolitan vision of designers Koichiro Ikebuchi (Como Shambhala and Como Uma Ubud) and Paola Navone (Como Point Yamu in Phuket, and Como Metropolitan Mami Beach).

A spacious all-white lobby—where the resort chain’s famous Como Shambhala Retreat also resides—invites guests into its beach-side haven. Checking in was hassle-free, and we were promptly offered fresh towels and a refreshing glass of hibiscus lemonade, a much needed respite from the Bali heat.

The meticulous service didn’t end there—throughout our stay, the friendly staff remembered our names and were always quick to offer assistance anytime we appeared to be in need, so that we were always comfortable on the property.

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Photo 1 of 4 The bedroom of one-bedroom residence can be separated with a sliding panel for privacy
Photo 2 of 4 The living room provides a comfy spot for lounging and watching TV
Photo 3 of 4 Residences on the ground floor connect to the lagoon pool
Photo 4 of 4 The bathroom is outfitted in Como Shambhala's toiletries and amenities

2. Do Not Disturb

The beachfront resort boasts 52 rooms and suites, 55 one- and two-bedroom residences and 12 three-bedroom duplex penthouses, each airy and spacious with an abundance of natural light. A warm palette of white and beige and nautical accents of blue exudes the understated luxury of Como, and woven bamboo furniture pay tribute to Balinese craft.

The one-bedroom residence we were checked into had a kitchenette, a spacious living room, a bedroom, and a bathroom fitted with rain showers and a whirlpool tub. The best part of the room, however, was outside—an open deck offers panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, with ample space to lounge and even dine al fresco, which we got to enjoy on one of our nights.

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Photo 1 of 3 Not to be missed: Como's signature Como Shambhala massage
Photo 2 of 3 Private and group classes are available at the gym, and guests are entitled to one complimentary group activity daily
Photo 3 of 3 The spacious gym boasts a comprehensive range of Life Fitness exercise machines, and stations for TRX and Crossfit training

3. The Extras

Wellness is at the heart of the Como brand, and you can stay on track with your fitness goals at the well-equipped gym, one of the largest in the precinct. Group activities from yoga and meditation to TRX (total resistance exercises) and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) are available daily, complimentary to all guests during their stay. After working out a sweat, pamper yourself at the Como Shambhala Retreat with a signature Como Shambhala massage—a must at any Como property.

Accessible from the lobby, the spa is a restful sanctuary offering a repertoire of Asian-inspired therapies, facials, and body treatments. It also shares a spacious shower and steam room with the gym for a quick refreshment.

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Photo 1 of 4 Como Beach Club serves up international cuisine featuring seasonal and regional ingredients
Photo 2 of 4 Como Beach Club offers all-day dining for the resort's guests
Photo 3 of 4 Not just a restaurant—the club is also a social space to swim and lounge
Photo 4 of 4 The restaurant offers the best sunset views of Canggu

4. Food & Drink

Como Beach Club

Exclusive to guests, the Como Beach Club is only accessible to the public via reservations. Primarily designed by Italian interior designer Paola Navone, the beachside hangout is a modern take on the traditional surf shack, with its eclectic mix of prints, colours, and materials.

Overlooking the bustling Echo Beach, the beach club boasts a bar, swimming pool with lounge beds and swing chairs (P.S. totally Instagram-worthy), and an alfresco dining area, which exudes a different charm from day to night. In the morning, buffet breakfast is served with nutritious options for its health-conscious guests, including granola, almond milk, and yoghurt.

The kitchen—which boasts an authentic wood-fired grill for its delicious pizzas—serves up an eclectic global menu and seasonal specials centred around fresh, regional ingredients, while the bar offers a collection of thirst-quenching cocktails and mocktails throughout the day.

At night—after catching one of the best views of the Balinese sunset—dinner is served by the candlelight to tunes from live acoustic artistes, or visiting DJs. We particularly enjoyed a set by Bali-based band Manjă, who had us grooving to their covers of chart-topping hits.

Glow Juice Bar

Need a quick pick-me-up between workouts? Glow Juice Bar offers fresh, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, as well as healthy snacks and nutritious salads that you can ‘grab and go’. The juice blends—a Como signature—are mixed for optimal health benefits, such as digestion, circulation, and replenishing hydration.

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Photo 1 of 3 A surfer at Echo Beach
Photo 2 of 3 The surf shack operated by Tropicsurf is just next to Como Beach Club
Photo 3 of 3 Echo Beach is popular with surfers for its surf breaks

5. Tatler Tip

Echo Beach, just outside of the resort, is a surfer’s haven with great spots to swim and surf. Como Uma Canggu offers a 'Surf and Stay' experience in partnership with Tropicsurf, which offers daily surf lessons for all levels (including use of equipment) and a 90min deep tissue massage, on top of accommodation, daily breakfast and a daily group activity. Beginners are taught board handling, ocean safety and go through balance-board simulations before riding their first green waves, while lessons for more advanced surfers take place in the ocean in front of the resort.

The luxury surf operator also manages a Surf Centre on site, for rental of surf equipment, year-round coaching and access to the best surf breaks in the area.

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