From moonlit writing sessions to silent discos and spa rituals, Moon Gang is redefining the luxury hotel experience in Bali.
Set among the rolling rice fields and verdant jungles above Ubud, a stunning new stay is inviting travellers to slow down and tune in. Home to just five suites, Hotel Moon Gang is a design-led retreat where luxury, wellness and creativity seamlessly intersect.
Introducing Hotel Moon Gang
Designed by YSG Studio, Hotel Moon Gang opened its doors in June 2026.
Officially opening its doors in June of this year, Hotel Moon Gang is the latest stay to join Bali’s luxury accommodation scene. Part boutique hotel, part outdoor sanctuary, the intimate retreat is the brainchild of Firstbase Studio’s Kirsten Millbank.
Working with Sydney-based design firm YSG Studio, Millbank has built a tranquil hideaway that embraces Bali’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Characterised by its open-air walkways, staircases and corridors that let the sunlight and soft breeze through, Moon Gang blurs the line between landscape and architecture.
Style and character
An indoor-outdoor design floods the hotel with natural light and sunshine.
This philosophy extends into the hotel’s communal spaces. Outside, a leafy courtyard, rooftop garden and natural swimming pool create the perfect private refuge. Walls draped in vines, trickling water features and bamboo screens depicting the lunar cycle add to the serenity.
Moving inside, the hotel’s interiors are just as inviting, with a self-serve tea salon, serene day spa, well-stocked lounge library and Cosmic Kiosk curiosity shop. Whether you brew yourself a matcha and curl up with a book, settle in for a full-body massage or simply enjoy a day by the pool, relaxation is pretty much guaranteed.
Hotel Moon Gang is home to just five guestrooms: Velvet Mood, Night Fever, Midnight Runners, Golden Shadow and Sun Dust. While each differ in size and layout, guests can expect queen or king beds, creativity desks, walk-in showers, private patios and separate lounges in every suite.
The Midnight Runners suite is one of just five intimate guestrooms.
Wooden fixtures, linen textures and a warm colour palette of terracotta, clay, cream and ochre feature throughout the hotel, reminiscent of a Tuscan summer. Meanwhile, cool tones, stone accents and retro decor bring a Japanese sensibility, creating a design language that is distinctly Moon Gang.
More than just a luxury hotel
A natural swimming pool sits at the heart of Hotel Moon Gang.
Cosy corners invite guests to slow down and switch off.
A warm colour palette and rounded edges are evocative of summers in Tuscany.
Moon Gang is about more than just luxury accommodation. At its core is a curated program of complimentary experiences designed to nurture both creativity and wellbeing.
Developed in partnership with creative consultancy Dance Card, activities span from mindful meanderings to enlightening exercise – all designed to both ground and energise guests. Think rooftop yoga, guided meditation, poolside sun worship, moonlit writing workshops, silent discos, midnight runs, stargazing sessions and more.
Spin vinyl at the hotel’s dedicated listening bar.
Purpose-built spaces and amenities facilitate the fun, including everything from a full-spectrum infrared sauna to a listening bar complete with vinyl and a do-it-yourself DJ station. Thanks to Ubud-based BSI International, guests can also sample a selection of medically administered nutrient and vitamin infusions for a full body reset.
The details
Hotel Moon Gang is only accessible by foot or chauffeured scooter.
Hotel Moon Gang is in Ubud, around a two-hour drive north from Bali’s Denpasar International Airport (hotel transfers available). Guests check in at the Mini Moon Gang reception kiosk in Ubud’s town centre. From there, it’s either an eight-minute walk or a three-minute chauffeured scooter ride to the hotel.
Moon Gang’s five suites accommodate up to 10 guests. While exclusive bookings for private groups are available, children must be at least 12 years old to stay. Rates vary depending on room type and include daily breakfast, with all-day dining provided at an extra cost.
Reservations can be made via the Hotel Moon Gang website.
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Taylah Darnell is International Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, and this life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. After graduating, she began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's fairly certain nothing can top witnessing the northern lights in Norway, she'd love to explore Scotland and Ireland next.
Iconic destinations, unforgettable adventures and thrilling onboard adventures; say hello to your next Asia holiday with Royal Caribbean.
When you want to explore the gleaming skyscrapers of Shanghai and the bars of Singapore, but also embrace centuries-old traditions in Japan before traipsing through the lush jungles of Malaysia, a conundrum presents itself: how do you do it all seamlessly without the stress of flying (or repacking)? Enter, Royal Caribbean.
With a brand designed around maximising your holiday time, sip cocktails by the pool or watch Broadway-style performances on board as the ship glides effortlessly from one atmospheric port to the next.
Now that you have Asia at your fingertips with minimal effort, the big question is: which all-inclusive experience (and itinerary) is best for you?
Japan
The itinerary
Prepare for a show, on and off the ship.
The Land of the Rising Sun has never been hotter, and Royal Caribbean has a vast array of unforgettable Japanese itineraries – these range from eight-night adventures to 14-night holidays circumnavigating the country’s islands.
The eight-night Best of Japan sailing is memory-making perfection, kicking off in Shanghai (Baoshan) on 24 October 2026. Stop at fascinating ports to soak in the sweeping landscapes and seascapes of Saikaiminato, Kyoto, Niigata and Hakodate while enjoying incredible dining and adventurous activities onboard Spectrum of the Seas®. Complete your journey back in Shanghai, ‘the Paris of the East’.
Port highlights
See iconic vistas of Japan.
Off the ship, hike the dramatic volcanic peaks of Sakaiminato’s Daisen-Oki National Park, explore the iconic temples of Kyoto, enjoy traditionally brewed sake made in Niigata (the birthplace of many quality sake brands), and taste local flavours at Kanemore Red Brick Warehouse, a premier dining and shopping district in Hakodate.
Don’t miss Royal Caribbean’s Amanohashidate Highlights shore excursion in Kyoto, an exhilarating experience that features a cable car ride up to Kasamatsu Park and includes a visit to Nariaiji Temple, a hillside Buddhist site.
The ship
Step on board Spectrum of the Seas®.
Aboard Spectrum of the Seas®, days at sea are just as action-packed as those on land. Here, 17 dining venues, along with eight bars and lounges, take guests on the ultimate global dining tour. Stop into Sichuan Red, designed specially for this ship, where you can savour a rich tapestry of authentic spices and Asian-influenced flavours. Start with the chef-recommended royal sea cucumber, then move on to a hot and savoury bowl of mapo tofu simmered in a traditional spicy sauce, or authentic pickled radish and duck soup.
Fancy a little post-dinner entertainment? Talk salsa lessons, or book front row seats to Showgirl, a multisensory spectacular that pays homage to the ultimate siren of the stage. You can also take a visual journey into the exotic cultures of the Far East with The Silk Road at Two70®.
Kids (and kidults), as always, are well-catered for, with aqua park Splashaway Bay℠ and the largest indoor active space at sea, SeaPlex®, which offers everything from laser tag to bumper cars. Those looking to relax can find peace in the adults-only solarium, as well as a wealth of treatments at Vitality℠ Spa.
Thailand and Malaysia
The itinerary
Sit down to hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki℠.
Royal Caribbean’s Southeast Asia sailings deliver the perfect fusion of culture, cuisine and coastlines, and the four-night Penang & Phuket cruise is proof that short escapes can still feel spectacularly rich.
Kick off with Royal Caribbean’s iconic Sail Away Party as Ovation of the Seas® departs from Singapore on 27 February 2026. The itinerary then weaves through two of the region’s most mesmerising destinations: Malaysia’s melting pot of cultures in Penang and Thailand’s sun-soaked island of Phuket.
Each port stop is layered with history, flavour and natural beauty, while each moment spent onboard Ovation of the Seas® is filled with fun and excitement.
Port highlights
Zoom around the ‘James Bond Island’.
In Penang’s George Town, a maze of heritage architecture, vibrant murals and street stalls serving sizzling char kway teow and aromatic laksa come together, blending past and present. Visit the Taoist Goddess of Mercy Temple to soak up its peaceful energy, ride the century-old funicular to the forested summit of Penang Hill for panoramic views, and wander Batu Feringhi Beach, where the Andaman Sea laps gently against golden sand. Jet skis? Why not?
Then it’s north to Phuket, where both adventure and relaxation beckon. Make the most of the local beach scene at Kata Noi and wander up Monkey Hill for sweeping vistas (and mischievous company). Be sure to book Royal Caribbean’s thrilling shore excursion here – you’ll zip along in a three-engine speedboat to the iconic ‘James Bond Island’ made famous in The Man with the Golden Gun. After a day of exploration, you’ll have enough time to enjoy a sunset cocktail on the waterfront before returning to your ship for another unforgettable evening.
The ship
Experience thrills aboard Ovation of the Seas®.
Of course, life on board Ovation of the Seas® is just as exhilarating as your adventures off it. Sit down to 16 flavoursome finds, from Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver® to theatrical hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki℠.
Build up an appetite with Royal Caribbean’s iconic onboard activities, from the FlowRider® surf simulator to soaring sky-high on RipCord® by iFLY® and zipping around in bumper cars in SeaPlex®. You can really choose your own adventure.
End the night with Spectra’s Cabaret at Two70®, a fascinating fusion of music, robotics and light that redefines entertainment at sea.
