If Bali had a backstage pass, Neon Rose Motel would be it.
Hidden down a quiet laneway in Pererenan – the kind of place you don’t stumble upon, you find – Neon Rose Motel has officially opened and it’s rewriting the rules on how to stay in Bali. With just four design-forward suites, this rose-washed micro motel ditches the villa sprawl and resort theatrics in favour of something far more interesting: independence, character and a seriously cool sense of place.
The concept is the brainchild of Malaysian-born, Australian-based creative Min Siah, a long-time Bali local for over 12 years, blending global design sensibilities with a deep understanding of island life. Perfectly positioned just moments from Pererenan Beach and nestled among local eateries, bakeries and boutique retail, Neon Rose Motel is designed for those who appreciate good design, laid-back energy and a stay that feels effortlessly cool.
After a long haul back from Lombok and Gili Air, I was craving two things: air-conditioning and somewhere that didn’t ask anything of me. Neon Rose Motel delivered both and then some.
Arriving back in Bali hot, sticky and over-laden (I’d overpacked knowing I was heading home after this trip) I braced myself for the usual last-night chaos. Thankfully, while the road leading to the motel doesn’t offer much of a footpath, there’s a generous driveway beside the building, making drop-off refreshingly easy – especially when you’re travelling with more luggage than dignity.
The Arrival
The entrance itself is quietly cinematic. You slip down a quaint laneway behind the building, neon hinting that you’re close. At the base of the stairs, reality hits: oh no… the suitcase. Those stairs suddenly felt ambitious for someone hauling a bag that had clearly gained weight over the course of the trip.
Eventually, I made it up – sweaty but victorious and was instantly grateful for the keyless entry. A personal pin code meant no fumbling for keycards, no fear of locking myself out and no mental load. I was staying in Room 4, one of the Bath Suites and from the moment the door opened, the relief was immediate.
First Impressions & Layout
The blast of air-conditioning alone felt like a small spiritual experience. Inside, the room opened up like a generously sized studio apartment – the kind of space you can actually unpack in, spread out and exhale. This wasn’t a crash pad; it was somewhere you could live for a few days. Straight ahead, a huge sliding glass door framed in floor-to-ceiling drapery softened the space, letting in light while cocooning you from the heat. It felt like a hug – dramatic, but comforting.
To the right, beneath one of Neon Rose’s signature circular windows, sat the daybed. Immediately, I clocked it as the spot. Perfect for decompression, working, journaling or staring blankly into space after island hopping. The king-sized bed is cleverly tucked behind a built-in amenities bar, creating separation without closing the space in. It’s thoughtful design – everything has its place, without feeling over-designed.
After a quick power nap, I grabbed my camera and took a few photos before I fully unpacked and got too comfortable – the calm-before-the-chaos moment. I’d been dealing with a tooth and ear issue for most of the trip and decided this was the window to finally get it checked now that I was back in Bali. Thankfully, I had two nights at Neon Rose before my late flight back to Sydney – just enough time to slow down, reset and let my body catch up.
I’d missed the window for dinner, with most restaurant kitchens already closing, so I took a short walk to the local food mart and grabbed pot noodles – not glamorous, but exactly what was needed. Then I remembered the real win: the in-room water machine with gallons of locally sourced Balian water, brought in specifically to cut down on plastic waste, that delivers hot water on demand. Pot noodles (chocolate for dessert, obviously) and a few hours of YouTube sprawled out on the cosy daybed – exactly the kind of low-effort comfort my body was longing for.
Bathroom & Bath Suite Experience
What I loved most was how considered the bathroom felt, without trying too hard. Soft, moody lighting immediately changed the pace and the open rain shower made the space feel relaxed and unfussy. Every surface from floor to ceiling is finished in a custom blush-toned plaster by local studio Altarize, using a tadelakt technique traditionally found in Moroccan hammams. The material blends recycled glass from the food industry with sugarcane fibre, sawdust and char, giving the walls a velvety, tactile texture that feels earthy and grounding – kinda desert-like. The separate bathing room houses a deep, sunken bath that feels indulgent and private, like bathing outdoors without actually being outdoors. That dusty rose tone ties everything together and quietly becomes the heart of Neon Rose.
Sleeping & Overall Experience
The bed was indulgently comfortable, crisp white sheets and blackout curtains did their job – thankfully. I slept well despite some noise from the traffic outside. Neon Rose Motel isn’t trying to be everything. It doesn’t need to be. It’s thoughtfully designed, quietly confident and refreshingly easy. From arrival to sleep, it felt considered, calm and genuinely restorative.
Keeping It Local
I was so exhausted from all the travelling that I kept things very local – literally on the same road as the motel – aside from a quick trip into Denpasar to the dentist. Neon Rose makes staying local easy with its Local Legends card – a quick QR scan unlocks perks at nearby cafés, restaurants and studios. That first afternoon, I wandered down the street and ordered a very over-the-top iced coffee at Brunch Club, which felt entirely appropriate. The next morning I headed downstairs for breakfast at Gimme More, then still feeling groggy from too much anaesthetic, went for a late lunch at Cinta before grabbing a takeaway bite from Gimme More again later on. Let me just say, the daybed was very much needed and it delivered.
The following day, I met a friend for breakfast and found myself back at Brunch Club – great food, plus those comfy couches along the wall that make you want to stay longer. My hair was clearly in need of some attention, so I managed to snag an appointment at Hair by Therapy – amazing service, very affordable and honestly felt more like a day spa than a salon. Later, I stopped into ‘Mostly’, a cute bar and restaurant, for a last-minute drink and something to eat before heading back to the motel to pack up for my 10pm flight home.
Neon Rose ended up being exactly what I needed at the tail end of a big trip – calm, comfortable and easy. It’s the kind of place that lets you land, slow down and do Bali at your own pace without overthinking it.
What are we Addicted to?
The oversized bathroom, that daybed, the feeling you could unpack and move in with everything right on your doorstep.
What do we need to be more Addicted?
If there’s one thing we’d change, it’s the outside noise – traffic can be fairly constant at certain times of the day.