Hotel Tugu Bali Review
Hotel Tugu Bali in Indonesia is one of Bali’s most unique hotels and resorts. The property is quietly located in the fishing village of Canggu, and the 22-suite luxury hotel boasts an awe-inspiring collection of antiques and curios throughout the entire place, like a museum.
Hotel Tugu Bali Review
Almost everything you see is an antique collected from Indonesia and Southeast Asia, some even priceless. I had the pleasure of experiencing a stay here, and this is my story.
Never having been to Bali, this was my maiden trip there, and of the nine days I spent there, three were in the Canggu area, which is between Kuta and Tanah Lot. The village is non-commercialized, so there are only two hotel resorts here, one of which is the Tugu Hotel Bali.
Apart from this, the village houses a very old Pura or temple, which serves the local fishing and rice field community. This alone made my experience in Bali something to remember, as I have heard too much about the over-commercialization that is happening on this island.
On my arrival at the Tugu Hotel Bali, the first thing that caught my attention was a giant Garuda statue carved out of a single piece of wood. I was in awe at this beautiful, unpainted sculpture while waiting for the resident manager to greet me.
Sitting in the majestic hotel lounge, I looked around, and every detail seemed to be fashioned in some antique way. Was I in the right place? It did not look like a hotel or resort but more like a well-designed antique museum.
Eventually, the resident manager, Stephanie, greeted me while I was served a local lemongrass welcome drink and cold towel. I just had to ask her about the massive Garuda statue, and she explained that the owner once saw the unfinished sculpture at the back of a craftsman’s factory and offered to buy it.
The crafter thought the owner had lost his mind as it was merely a piece of junk, but he sold it to him. The owner continued to restore it, and today it stands statuesque in the middle of the hotel lobby.
Antiques at Hotel Tugu Bali
After I filled out my check-in form, Stephanie took me on a quick tour of the main reception and lobby area, explaining the hotel’s overall concept. Every piece is part of the Tugu owner’s private collection. Lobby chairs made from classic rattan, old round tea tables, and even an antique traditional Indonesian Wayang Kulit (Puppet Play) stall were part of the decorations.
The only modern thing around here was the fabrics, which were cleverly used to enhance the interior. If you do stay here, the staff will gladly take you on a tour of the place, as every piece used here has a story to it.
Trust me, it was well worth it. It took me about an hour to walk around the main area, absorbing the unique information. Something very contrasting while staying here: Hotel Tugu Bali’s architecture and interior design reflect the art, culture, and history of the archipelago of Indonesia, particularly Bali.
In the lobby lounge, there were a few tables set towards the garden area with a splendid view of the sea. Lush greenery dominated the majority of the dining areas, while a very cool wooden bar dotted with all sorts of antiques and carvings immediately stole my attention.
Overall, the main lobby area has a platform stage where the giant Garuda sits and is used for many local and international functions. The natural surroundings provide a very exclusive atmosphere, and international high-end fashion shows and launches, as well as private weddings and parties, have been conducted here.
Hotel Tugu Facilities
Finally, about an hour later, I am led to my suite, which passes through beautifully manicured gardens. When I stress the word beautiful, I really mean it, as it looks like a mini botanical garden with all kinds of tropical plants and flowers that are so well taken care of.
Stone statues and Balinese garden lamps are scattered throughout, while sectioned stone walls give privacy to some of the suite’s lower-level units. There are also two main luxury villas here, the Walter Spies Villa Pavilion and Puri Le Mayeur. Three types of suites are available: the Kampoeng Suites, Dedari Suites, and Rejang Suites.
For traditional holistic treatments, there are not one, not two, but three traditional spas scattered throughout the hotel grounds. In the central garden, you will see a conventional Javanese Djamoe (Jamu) hut that awaits eager students for the Jamu Making Class at the Waroeng Djamoe.
This was something that no other resorts or hotels offer, which made this a unique feature and activity.
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| Local Balinese rice dish at Tugu Hotel. |
The food and beverages provided by the hotel are absolutely outstanding. I was told that you can have your daily breakfast, lunch, or dinner anywhere around the hotel grounds. This includes having it by the beach, garden or even in your room. Just let the staff know the night before, and they will set it up for you.
I tried them all, and my favourite spot was on the beach. Nothing beats having your breakfast overlooking the sea, minus the crowd. I would also have to give a thumbs up to the food selection here. The menu is simply very attractive, with choices of Western and traditional Javanese-Indonesian food.
Local Indonesian cooks with decades of experience transform handed-down recipes into modern-day fusion delicacies for the current-day traveller and guest. I would have to say there was no favourite among the different local dishes I tried. They were all equally impressive, and it was hard to choose just one.
Even the cabinet that stores the mini refrigerator is an antique. Bathrooms here make you feel like you have your little spa in the suite. Everything here is spacious and very well thought out.
A family was seen sorting out the daily catch and even posed for a photograph. The locals were friendly and offered to sell me fish for dinner, which I politely declined.
Apart from what was mentioned in this article, Hotel Tugu also provides special packages and activities. Some include a custom Honeymoon Package, Yoga Sessions, Golf by the Sea, Cycling, Surfing and cultural heritage visits to temples and famous landmarks.
Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu Beach, Bali-Indonesia
Telephone: +62 361 4731 701 • +62 8786 1838 680 • +62 8123 691 6091
Fax. +62 361 4731 708
Reservations & General enquiries: bali@tuguhotels.com
Sales & Marketing enquiries: sales@tuguhotels.com
Click here to book Tugu Hotel Bali.Tugu Hotel Representatives Worldwide
1. USA – Sanctuare
456 Glenbrook Road Stamford, CT 06906
Telephone: (800) 225-4255 or (888) ART TUGU
Fax.(203) 602 2265
2. Europe – Essence by M&G s.a.s.
c. so Lodi n 2 – 20135 – Milano – Italy
Ph/Fax. (39) 025 8311607 • Cell. (39) 338 8975245
essence@essenceitaly.it
3. Japan- The Vacance / The Vacance Corporation
International Place 5F
26-3 Sanei-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0008 Japan
Telephone: 81-3-5363-2566, Fax: 81-3-5363-2616
Conclusion
Furthermore, as the hotel is located by the beach and in a quiet little fishing village, you get to experience the best local Indonesian cultures and lifestyle without being intrusive. The beach is public, but only locals are seen here, therefore making this one of the quieter beaches.
The sunsets are pretty amazing and romantic, but I never caught one as I was busy catching them in other places. Here is a beautiful Sunset at Uluwatu, Bali, Picture I managed to get. If you want a romantic, enjoyable, adventurous and unforgettable experience, you should consider staying at Hotel Tugu Bali, Indonesia.
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