Hotel Tugu Bali (telegraph.co.uk)

The original article was published by Telegraph.co.uk. Read HERE.

Writer: Narina Exelby

 

Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

“Walking into the wonderfully evocative Hotel Tugu is like stepping back in time, or into a Joseph Conrad novel. This eclectic property, owned by an antiques and art collector, is packed with intrigue and character; it’s a superb tribute to the history and soul of Indonesia.”

Location

When this hotel was established more than two decades ago, it was surrounded by greenery and was far from the crowds. Now, a sprawl of beach bars, cafés and big concrete hotels have crammed themselves up against its boundaries. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. The hotel remains relatively peaceful inside its garden walls (although some rooms do experience noise pollution from the bars at night), and so many travellers are drawn to all that Canggu has to offer: yoga studios, designer stores, co-working spaces and a plethora of hip restaurants and bars. Plus, the beach and surf breaks are still just a stone’s throw away.

Service and Facilities

At the entrance to Hotel Tugu are two areas that are so well worth visiting. One is Bale Puputan, a collection of artefacts connected with the 1906 Puputan War, and the other is Bale Sutra, a 300-year-old Chinese temple that was dismantled and reconstructed at the hotel.

In keeping with the property’s focus on celebrating Indonesian cultures, the spa features health and beauty treatments based on Javanese traditions of wellness, while classes on offer include cooking and jamu (a traditional elixir) making. Activities such as surfing, horse riding, bike tours and gym sessions can be arranged. There is a beautiful pool on the property, and a rooftop yoga space.

  •  Parking
  •  Restaurant
  •  Bar
  •  Laundry
  •  Room service
  •  Pool
  •  Spa
  •  Wi-Fi
  •  Fitness centre
  •  Beach

Rooms

Every room at Hotel Tugu is different and each one bursts with character and interesting features, from sturdy old four-poster beds to stained glass or wood-panelled windows, antique timber walls, hand-carved antique day beds, hand-battered copper tubs and sunken mosaiced baths. The walls are painted in rich colours – deep blues, reds, greens – that show off the old art they display. There is nothing high-tech about the rooms but they do all have a television, minibar fridge and a kettle.

Food and Drink

While the hotel does have a restaurant – Ji, a Japanese fusion eatery – the hotel’s focus is on dining experiences. Guests are invited to enjoy breakfast “wherever their heart desires”, and meals (including complimentary afternoon tea) will be served anywhere on the property: in the garden, beside the pool, over a lotus pond.

Some of the dining experiences include Babah Peranakan (Indo-Chinese cuisine served in historic Bale Sutra), Waroeng Tugu (a casual Balinese family-style meal served in a rustic open-air hut) and “aphrodisiac picnic on bed” (dinner on an antique bed on a rooftop).

Value for Money

Double rooms from 2,758,000 Indonesian rupiahs (£146) per night in low season; from 3,258,000 Indonesian rupiahs (£172) in high season. Rate includes breakfast, afternoon tea and antiques collection tour. Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?
Not suitable.

Family-Friendly?
Yes. Classes such as Balinese dancing, cooking and flower arranging can be arranged.

Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, Pantai Canggu, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia.
00 62 361 4731701

tuguhotels.com