Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Spotlight: Hotel Tugu Bali

Another day, another installment in my quest for Indonesia's best resort. Here's one I've heard from quite a few quarters: The Hotel Tugu Bali.

The luxe chain has a number of locations scattered around the archipelago, from Lombok to Malang, but Bali is perhaps its flagship outpost. It's "one of the world's best hotels," says London's Tatler, and is a "sampling of paradise," according to Architectural Digest.

Indeed, there's no mistaking it for a Courtyard by Marriott: It's festooned with Indonesian antiques, and is nestled by the Batu Bolong temple along Canggu Beach in Bali's southwest. Apparently its dining staff even feeds Indonesia's President, which - to someone like me, who's used to eating cockroaches from Cambodian street stalls - all sounds very chi-chi.

Many of the suites are startlingly original, like the bungalow floating above its own lotus pond, dedicated to particular Belgian painters or German artists who have made Bali their home over the years. While the top-flight accommodations go for $600 a night (US), other suites can be had for a more accessible $250. If life had a pause button, I'd probably press it and stay at the Tugu Bali for a while - at least until the money ran out.


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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah, Bali is a paradise, you'd get what you want or what you pay for. But Tugu Hotel is unique, as I remember I read somewhere that the owner has personal connection with every item they display on their hotels (and restaurants). Not many Indonesians appreciate antique items, and what the Tugu group owner does is something I admire.

The decor is indeed a breakthrough for Indonesians.

Christopher Taylor said...

Because he's using his antiques for business purposes, does he get a tax writeoff?

Smart guy! :)

iStyle Magazine said...

nice article!
keep up the good work!