There are moments in our industry when you’re struck by just how fortunate we are to experience the extraordinary.
My recent famil journey through COMO Hotels’ European properties, combined with a Seabourn cruise, was filled with such moments.
Picture: Dana Michael (second from right)
Our adventure began where the COMO story itself started – Singapore. Founded by Christina Ong and her daughter, the hotel group’s philosophy weaves together sophisticated design, immaculate service and their signature Shambhala wellness approach.
The COMO Metropolitan Singapore perfectly exemplifies this vision, its contemporary styling reflecting Ong’s fashion background.
Located steps from Orchard Road and home to Cedric Grolet’s fantastical patisserie, it offered an ideal introduction to a brand where each property maintains its own distinct character and local flavour, while retaining the core values of the COMO vision.
From our Singapore stopover, we headed to Europe and to what would become one of my most memorable hotel experiences – COMO Alpina Dolomites.
As a non-skier, the Dolomites had never really been on my radar, but autumn here is simply magical. I constantly felt as though I was in a painting, surrounded by incredible limestone and orange-tinted forests.
The property’s striking contemporary architecture incorporates organic forms through use of local stone and wood, and huge picture windows flood the interior with natural light and memorable scenic views.
The hotel’s GM Julian sets the tone for the property’s incredible level of service and attention to detail throughout, while dining at the fantastic Sassolungo restaurant elevated the experience further.
As a year round outdoor adventure destination, even in pouring rain our e-bike tour proved exhilarating, and as the skies cleared the following day, a leisurely hike revealed spectacular 360° alpine vistas that left the entire group speechless.
A four-hour drive south, COMO Castello Del Nero offered a different kind of magic – a 12th-century Tuscan castle where frescoed ceilings and historic charm meet COMO’s signature refined elegance.
Here, we spent an entertaining morning following the well-honed noses of local truffle-hunting dogs, Spritz and Breezer, as they sniffed out these hidden delicacies, before feasting on our earthy finds with a ‘tartufo’ inspired dinner menu.
From Italian truffle country to France’s prestigious Burgundy wine region, COMO Le Montrachet was another personal highlight.
This 19th-century ‘place du village’ perfectly balances historic charm with contemporary comfort and our accommodation in the Manoir rooms were spacious and chic.
While most COMO properties emphasise their Shambhala menu, here the focus is rightfully on exceptional regional food and wine.
E-biking through legendary vineyards and exploring the charming local village of Beaune, we immersed ourselves in the world of Le Montrachet wines through fascinating cellar visits and expert-guided tastings.
Our COMO experience flowed seamlessly into the second half of our journey – beginning with a stay at the Maybourne Riviera, perched high above the glitz and extravagance of Monte Carlo prior to embarking on our Seabourn Sojourn cruise.
As a first-time (and admittedly slightly reluctant) cruiser, the Sojourn was an unexpected delight. With just 458 passengers, the intimate atmosphere perfectly complemented our COMO experience.
From St. Tropez to Portofino, each port brought new discoveries, including a spectacular Cinque Terre excursion and explorations of Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and Cassis – small, unique ports that are only accessible to the smaller cruising vessels such as the Sojourn.
As our cruise concluded in Barcelona, I realised that what made this famil truly special wasn’t just the exceptional properties, experiences, or destinations, but the people who shared the journey.
Our small group connected in a way that only happens when experiencing something extraordinary together.
Special mention must go to our host, Jonica from COMO, whose passion, mindfulness and kindness perfectly embodied everything the brand represents.
As I messaged to our Y Travel group chat during the trip, “We truly are so lucky for the opportunities we are given to travel, what an industry!”
This wasn’t just another luxury jaunt – it was a reminder of why we all fell in love with travel in the first place and why we continue to do what we do for a living!
