In Bali, where Fivelements began in 2007, wellness has long been rooted in something more elemental: plant-forward cuisine, traditional healing, nature, local culture and a sense of community. Now, almost two decades after its founding, the pioneering healing sanctuary is entering a new chapter – one that will see Fivelements evolve into a global wellness hospitality brand.
Following its acquisition by GOCO Hospitality in 2024, the brand is embarking on an international expansion that will begin in Thailand with Fivelements Samui, which opens in early 2027. Fivelements Ubud in Bali will then undergo a transformation in 2028, before the brand moves into Europe, with destinations under development in Switzerland in 2029 and Montenegro in 2030.
The ambition is not simply to replicate one destination in different parts of the world. Instead, Fivelements will become a network of destinations, retreats and personalised wellbeing programmes, bringing together longevity science, diagnostics and contemporary knowledge with ancestral wisdom, nature and local traditions.
The philosophy will remain shared across the portfolio, but its expression will be shaped by place. Each destination will draw on its own landscape, architecture, culture and traditions, creating experiences that feel distinctly Fivelements while remaining rooted in where they are.
A vision to inspire
For GOCO Hospitality, the move marks its first consumer-facing global brand. Founded by industry veteran Ingo Schweder, the group brings four decades of experience across wellness, hospitality, development and operations to Fivelements, with an ambition to make wellbeing less of an occasional retreat and more a part of everyday life.
“Our vision has always been larger than creating beautiful resorts,” says Schweder, Founder and CEO of GOCO Hospitality and Owner of Fivelements. “We want to create destinations that inspire healthier ways of living and support people at every stage of their wellbeing journey, combining local culture, evidence-based wellness, longevity science and genuine human connection.”
Informed approach
The evolution is personal, too. Schweder and his wife, Josephine Leung, Managing Partner of GOCO Hospitality and Owner of Fivelements, have both experienced cancer – an experience that has shaped their conviction that health should be approached proactively and continuously, rather than only once illness occurs.
“GOCO was born from a very personal place,” says Schweder. “I wanted to bridge the gap – hospitals that needed to understand hospitality, and hotels that needed to take health seriously.”
Leung’s experience in personalised health, including as co-founder of Bangkok-based longevity clinic OLiv Longevity, has further informed the brand’s approach. For her, the emphasis is on care, knowledge and better choices.
“Having experienced the healthcare system as patients, we understand how important it is to feel genuinely looked after and to have knowledge that can help us make better health choices,” she says.
As Fivelements expands from Bali to new shores, its aim is to create a connected global ecosystem where hospitality can encourage healthier choices, deeper connection and a more regenerative relationship between people and the places they inhabit.
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