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Hotels, restaurants and stories from the Gili Islands, Bali and Lombok. Curated, honest and local.
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Bali news·44 mins ago
Moon Gang hotel in Ubud offers a unique Bali wellness retreat experience
Moon Gang, a new five-suite boutique hotel in Ubud, Bali, offers a distinct wellness retreat experience. Designed by Yasmine Ghoniem of YSG Studio and owned by Kirsten Millbank, the hotel is located among rice paddies on the Sari Organic Walk, accessible by scooter. Guests are ferried to the property from a shopfront called Mini Moon Gang on Ubud's main street. The hotel features a central courtyard pool and offers individual suite bookings or full property rental for up to 10 people. Each stay includes wellness activities tailored by local staff, such as full spectrum sauna sessions and yoga, healing, breathwork, and meditation led by Balinese yogi Gina. These activities take place on the rooftop of the in-house spa, established in partnership with Fields of Yarrow, a botanics-based skincare brand. Day spa treatments are available at an additional cost. The interiors, a blend of Balinese sanctuary, Japanese minimalism, and tropical design, feature handmade ceramic lights, glazed lava stone tiles, and hand-dyed curtains. Each bedroom includes an acrylic paint set, and a typewriter is available to borrow. Complimentary breakfast is provided by Dragonfly, a cafe opposite the property, with food also deliverable to suites or poolside. The Nongkrong Lounge serves as a communal space with a tea station, vinyl bar, and curated record selection by Indonesian DJ Munir Harry Septiandry. Moon Gang is approximately two hours from Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and can b
11 min read
Must readBali news·3 hours ago
Debbie Welsch details her $550,000 retirement savings in Bali
At 57, Debbie Welsch moved to Bali with her 82-year-old mother after selling her US home and belongings for $550,000. She now pays $375 per month for rent and has established a new life focused on managing her savings. In an episode of Cost of Living, Welsch explains the expenses of retiring in Bali and how she budgets for her life abroad.
3 min read
Bali news·3 hours ago
GOCO Hospitality expands Fivelements from Bali to Montenegro, with new openings in Samui and Switzerland
Fivelements, a wellness retreat brand founded in Bali in 2010 and acquired by GOCO Hospitality in 2024, is expanding globally. The original Ubud retreat in Bali will reopen in late 2026 after a redesign, with a more extensive transformation planned for 2028. New locations include Fivelements Samui in Thailand, set to open in early 2027 as the brand's flagship with a longevity clinic. Further expansion includes Switzerland in 2029 and Kolašin, Montenegro, in 2030. A Spanish location is also in development, though no date has been announced. This expansion reflects a trend in high-end wellness towards integrated protocols and longer stays.
18 min read
Bali news·4 hours ago
Lisa Snowdon visits Bali wellness retreat after separation from fiancé
TV presenter Lisa Snowdon, 54, recently visited a wellness retreat in Bali following her separation from George Smart, her partner of 12 years. Snowdon shared on Instagram that wellness for her is about connection, including meeting people, engaging in conversations, physical activity, mindfulness, and occasional emotional release. She mentioned having a "good old cry" during her trip. Snowdon also stated that she feels stronger mentally and physically after participating in activities like pilates and hot Bikram yoga. Concerns about her relationship status arose when she was seen without her engagement ring and Smart was largely absent from her Instagram since January. The couple had previously dated two decades ago, rekindled their romance in 2014, and became engaged in 2016. Last year, Snowdon indicated she was not in a rush to marry, viewing marriage as a contract and preferring a relaxed approach.
7 min read
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