Jotun brought a small group of 13 team members to Bali for a 5-day corporate retreat, a chance to step out of the usual routine and actually spend time together in person. Jotun, a Norwegian paint company that’s part of a $2B+ global group with more than 60 factories worldwide, wanted the retreat to feel purposeful but not packed: a good balance of learning, focused working sessions, and team bonding. The goal was simple: to leave Bali feeling more connected, more refreshed, and better set up to collaborate once everyone was back to regular work.
Key takeaways
- A 5-day team retreat in Bali for 13 participants focused on work, learning, and bonding
- End-to-end planning and execution by Midstay (logistics, itinerary, travel, and on-ground support)
- Hosted at Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel with integrated meeting, dining, and leisure spaces
- Team retreat itinerary included structured work sessions, workshops, and facilitated discussions
- Team-building activities included Beach Olympics, group games and a cultural day trip to Ubud
- Outcomes: stronger interpersonal connections, improved collaboration and communication, a more aligned, refreshed, and connected team
How Midstay Supported the Retreat From the Start
For Jotun’s corporate retreat, Midstay supported the process end-to-end, from the early planning stage through on-ground execution and follow-up.
This included:
- Destination and venue
- Flight & transportation
- Food & beverage
- Fully planned itinerary with activities and workshop
- On-ground coordinators
That meant the team could stop worrying about logistics and just enjoy the time together, the sessions, the activities, and everything in between.
Why Bali Works Well for a Corporate Retreat
Bali works really well for corporate retreats with everything located in one place. You can get a productive work session done earlier in the day, and then switch into activity mode later, without spending too much time moving between venues.
For Jotun, Bali offered the right setting to combine:
- structured sessions for learning and work time
- easy access to team activities like beach games
- shared meals and social moments that naturally build connection
- a cultural day experience to create shared memories outside the usual work environment
Our venue partner: Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel
The team stayed at one of our venue partners, Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, in South Kuta, right by the beach. For a small group, it was an ideal location as they had everything they needed in the same place. Sessions, meals, quick breaks, and just hanging out in between: everything was nearby and easy to get to.
The hotel setup supported the retreat format with:
- a resort environment that feels relaxed without being distracting
- meeting room facilities for structured sessions
- on-site dining options for group meals
- space to recharge between agenda blocks
The venue supported both the working and learning side of the retreat as well as the team bonding side, without forcing the group to constantly move around.
What the 5-day company retreat in Bali looked like
The plan was clear: Arrive and settle in, spend a couple of days focusing on work sessions, then switch to a team activity day and a full-day trip to finish on a high note.
Day 1: Arrivals and the first dinner together
Everyone arrived in Bali at different times, so the day was kept light. Once people checked in, they had a bit of breathing room to unpack, freshen up, and ease into the retreat before meeting up for dinner.
The first shared moment was a welcome dinner with ice-breaking. This helped the group shift from travel mode into retreat mode, catch up, and start connecting early.
Day 2: Working Sessions and a Gala Dinner
Day 2 began with breakfast, followed by a block of internal working sessions. The structure included planned breaks and lunch, keeping the day focused but not exhausting.
In the evening, the team moved into a more celebratory social format with a gala dinner.
Day 3: Working Sessions and Beach Olympic Team Building
Day 3 kept the momentum: breakfast, then another structured work block.
Later that day, everyone headed to Sanur Beach for a Beach Olympics team building activity.
Games included:
- Water Relay
- Leaking Pipe
- Beach Volleyball
- Beach Dodgeball
The group ended the day over dinner, swapping stories and bonding after the activities.
Day 4: Ubud Tour and a Group Dinner
After two days of sessions plus team-building, Day 4 provided a different type of bonding: less structured, more experiential.
The group went on a full-day Ubud tour including lunch, and wrapped the day with dinner at Black Stone Yacht Club.
Day 5: Check-Out and Departures
The last day was kept easy with breakfast, check-out, and airport transfers. It was a calm wrap-up of the retreat that left the participants feeling energized and excited after spending a few days together.
What This Retreat Was Designed to Achieve
This corporate retreat was built around a clear idea: bringing the team together in person to blend learning, work sessions, and team bonding in one well-paced experience.
The retreat was meant to:
- give the team dedicated time together beyond day-to-day work
- support learning and discussion through structured sessions
- strengthen relationships through activities and shared meals
- create shared experiences that make future collaboration easier and more natural
Planning a Corporate Retreat for Your Team?
A corporate retreat shouldn’t be hectic, but impactful. The best retreats balance structure and breathing room so teams can work, learn, and connect without feeling overloaded.
Midstay supports corporate retreats end-to-end, including destination planning, venue sourcing, logistics, travel and visa support, team activities, workshops, dining coordination, and on-ground coordinators, so teams can focus on the experience, not the logistics.
FAQs
What is a corporate retreat?
A corporate retreat is an offsite where teams step away from their daily routine to spend focused time together, usually mixing work sessions with team bonding activities and shared experiences.
How long should a corporate retreat be?
Many teams choose 3–5 days because it gives enough space for meaningful sessions and real bonding time, without feeling rushed. For Jotun, a 5-day format worked well to include sessions, activities, and a full-day experience.
What makes a corporate retreat feel balanced instead of exhausting?
A good retreat alternates between structured time (work sessions, activities) and free time (meals, downtime). It also includes breaks and avoids packing too much into one day.
Is Bali a popular destination for corporate retreats?
Yes, Bali works well because it supports multiple retreat formats; focused work sessions, team activities, and memorable shared experiences, all in one destination.
What does Midstay typically handle for a corporate retreat?
Midstay can support the retreat end to end: destination and venue planning, agenda, travel and visa support, coordination of dining, activities and workshops, food & beverage, on-site concierge, and all the logistics that keep the retreat smooth from start to finish.
