We’re always on the lookout for the hotels, villas and resorts that challenge our understanding of “luxury”. One hotel group that stands out, time and again, is COMO.
The hotel group was founded in 1991 by the Singaporean boutique fashion entrepreneur Christina Ong (her daughter is called Melissa Ong, hence “COMO” – nothing to do with the lake!). It has since expanded into a network of 18 luxurious hotels, residences and resorts, from the Maldives to Burgundy, Bhutan to Fiji.
Dan Nickless, Managing Director of DNA Luxury Travel, says: "I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced many of Como's exceptional properties, and I can confidently say that they are now one of my favourite hotel groups.
“There are countless reasons for this admiration: the stunning locations, the genuinely friendly and personalised service, and above all, the welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. This sense of comfort and relaxation is truly unmatched. I absolutely love Como's service ethos and everything they represent."
Here are five reasons why we rank COMO among the best of the best, and why we think you will too.
Unique, design-focused hotels
When we asked Nicola Wood, Senior Global Director of Sales at COMO, how she would define COMO’s 18 hotels, she said they were “like a family, but all the children have their own character.”
What does this mean, exactly? At the COMO Maalifushi in the Maldives, set on a private island, the vibe is minimalist barefoot luxury, with a selection of 65 stilted villas and beachfront suites designed to slow the pulse. Floor-to-ceiling windows, infinity pools and sunset yoga sessions blend the indoor with the outdoors in a way that few hotels manage to achieve.
But then hop to COMO Metropolitan Singapore and it's all about the inner-city cosmopolitan comforts. The hotel brings a number of epicurean experiences under one roof, from the world-renowned patissiere Cedric Grolet to the Michelin-starred COTE steakhouse. There's also a multi-label shopping space curated by Christina Ong’s brand, Club 21.
Michelin-grade cuisine
COMO takes its food seriously. An example is the COMO Shambhala in Indonesia, which has a number of culinary experiences including at Kudus House – a restaurant set in a 150-year-old Javanese residence, focusing on flavour and spice – and Glow, which has a menu built around fresh salads and energy-giving juices. The team can also arrange a private dining experience, which guests can enjoy in the tea house or down on the banks of the Ayung River.
For something entirely different, Le Montrachet in Burgundy has a highly regarded restaurant, with a focus on exquisite French dishes like cereal-crusted pigeon or locally caught pike-perch. You can expect the most refined service at COMO’s Burgundy outpost (the hotel received a Michelin Key in 2024), including a sommelier who will be on hand to curate your meal’s wine accompaniments.
If you want to take the food home with you, COMO has published a cookery book, The Pleasures Of Eating Well, our COMO Shambhala Cookbook, which is available on Amazon. Another new book called COMO Simple has easy-to-follow recipes compiled by Christina Ong along with a team of chefs, from Bhutan to Tuscany
Experiences you won't find anywhere else
One thing that truly sets COMO apart is the range of extraordinary experiences on offer. Sure, you might be perfectly happy to land in your destination, kick off your shoes and relax for a week or two. We won’t judge. But if you want to elevate your holiday a gear or two, they offer the chance to take a cruise on a private yacht (the Maldives), immerse yourself in a butter lamp ceremony (Bhutan), gallop along white sands on horseback (Fiji), or take a private tour of the vineyards of the Swan Valley in Perth, Australia.
Taking things up a notch even further are COMO Journeys, a particular passion of Melissa Ong, which offer the chance to learn a new skill or deepen an understanding in a particular field. Examples include a Himalayan photography journey in Bhutan, accompanied by the celebrated photographer Michael Turek; raising your game at padel tennis at the world-renowned Rafa Nadal Academy at COMO Maalifushi; or a full-body reset at COMO Cocoa Island, where you will be taught ancient Ayurvedic techniques and modern wellness practices.
Something for the children
For many of our customers, this one will be a deal-breaker: yes, COMO hotels do cater very well for kids. And we’re not just talking about high chairs and travel cots. Some of the hotels offer a service called Play by COMO, a space designed to inspire creative play for children aged 4–12, with books, games and art materials. Experiences include a wilderness camp, wind chime-making and a pirate treasure hunt.
Something that might be particularly exciting for some children is the Island Astronauts Camp, which has taken place at COMO Maalifushi (Maldives), COMO Point Yamu (Phuket), COMO Parrot Cay and COMO Uma Canggu in Bali. Veteran NASA astronauts host these camps and teach kids (now, officially, crewmates) about the cosmos and give them the chance to taste space food and write a postcard that will be sent up to space and then returned to them.
From pizza-making in Italy to learning about marine life in the Maldives, we’re certain your kid won’t be twiddling their thumbs. Oh, and did we mention the swimming pools…?
A focus on sustainability
COMO considers itself to serve as custodians, not managers, of the destinations where it has its hotels. They say: “We recognise the privileges and responsibilities of being part of the community and are committed to celebrating local culture, supporting the domestic economy, and minimising our impact on the environment.”
What this means, in real terms, is that in Phuket they have fitted their hotel with thermal emissivity glass to reduce the amount of heat transmitted into the building. At Uma Paro in Bhutan, they have helped a local female entrepreneur to set up the country’s first prayer flag printworks and shop. At Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos they have banana and coconut plantations. At Cocoa Island and Maalifushi, you can sponsor and install coral frames and then follow the progress online after you’ve arrived home.
Many hotels talk a good talk these days, but COMO does tangible things to help, improve and sustain the destinations it serves.
Want to find out more about COMO hotels and how DNA can help to organise your next adventure? Call us on 020 7193 4180 or drop us an email at info@thisisdna.co.uk.
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