
The Jia CURATED festival will transform Bali's Pengembak beach into a hub for cultural exchange from August 13 to 17, 2026. The event, themed "Nature Weave," aims to foster harmony between design and the natural world, inviting creators to engage with the landscape. Rooted in the Indonesian principle of Gotong Royong, the festival emphasizes collective effort, with co-founder Budiman Ong viewing it as a manifesto to integrate industry and nature. The exhibition will feature biophilic design, using organic materials and patterns to enhance community well-being. Highlights include the "Architecture in Scale" exhibition curated by Charmaine Chan, showcasing 25 models from Asia that consider nature as a living entity. Interactive installations, such as Blancostudio x Kalpa Taru Bali's pavilion made from timber offcuts, and innovative projects like Post+beam's modular aluminum shelving and Bell Living Lab’s use of coffee waste, will demonstrate sustainable practices. The festival will also include workshops, collaborations with international design platforms, and exhibitions celebrating Filipino sustainable craft practices. Environmental stewardship is central, with initiatives like the “Waste to Wonder” program repurposing event materials. The event concludes with “360° Design Dialogues” among global design leaders, complemented by local cultural performances.
This summary was generated from a story originally published by Bali news.

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
Must readAt 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.

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.