House of Tugu Old T own J akarta Brings Indonesia’ s Cultural Legacy to the Global Stage
J akarta, March 2026 – Time Magazine has named House of Tugu Old Town Jakarta to its prestigious World’ s Greatest Places 2026 list, an honor reserved for destinations around the world celebrated for their cultural significance, authentic guest experiences, and lasting impact on global travel. Proudly , House of Tugu Old Town Jakarta is the only Indonesian property recognized this year, a milestone that places Indonesia’ s cultural heritage squarely in the international spotlight.
Time was founded in 1923 and for decades has been one of the most influential publications in global media. Its recognitions — such as Person of the Y ear , the Time 100 Most Influential People, and more recently the World’s Greatest Places — often shape international public conversation.
For the Tugu family , this recognition is not merely an accolade in hospitality . It is a profound acknowledgment of a lifelong mission: to safeguard Indonesia’ s vanishing cultural soul. In the 1960s, founder Anhar Setjadibrata, then a young salesman journeying across the archipelago, saw history slipping away — antiques discarded, traditions fading, and stories forgotten. He began collecting these threatened artefacts not as a collector , but as a rescuer . Alongside his wife Wedya Julianti, that commitment became the foundation of Tugu: a love letter to Indonesia’ s identity , preserved through living history.
Today , under the leadership of Lucienne Anhar, co-owner of Tugu Hotels & Restaurants Group, that mission continues with renewed urgency .
“We never set out to build a hotel empire, ” she reflects.
“We set out to protect a civilization. Each space in House of Tugu tells the story of Indonesian people whose voices could have been lost. ” Lucienne Anhar , co-owner of Tugu Hotels & Restaurants Group.
Time highlighted House of Tugu Old Town Jakarta for offering something rare in Indonesia: a public home for Peranakan heritage, a culture once suppressed and now finding renewed visibility . Through its art, architecture, and storytelling, the property serves not only as a destination, but as a custodian of collective memory , a place where Indonesian heritage is preserved, celebrated, and shared with the world.
The property is also home to Jajaghu, a refined Nusantara dining destination inspired byancestral recipes, and Babah Koffie by Kawisari, a nostalgic café celebrating Java oldest colonial-era coffee estate. Building on this spirit of storytelling through experience, Tugu will unveil De Tiger in May 2026 — a poolside speakeasy and live music salon designed as a tribute to the golden age of Batavia’ s nightlife. Later , in June 2026, House of Tugu will reveal its most ambitious chapter yet: the opening of The Huang Museum, showcasing thousands of previously unseen artefacts drawn from Tugu’ s vast private archives.
More than a destination, House of Tugu Old Town Jakarta embodies a movement — one that invites the world to rediscover Indonesia not merely as a place to visit, but as a civilization to understand. This honor from Time Magazine reaffirms Indonesia’ s position as a nation of profound cultural influence and creativity , with House of Tugu standing proudly at its forefront.
This recognition carries deep significance for Indonesia’ s tourism landscape. At a moment when global travelers seek meaning and authenticity , House of Tugu stands as an emblem of how Indonesia’s living heritage can inspire the world. For a property built on conviction rather than commerce, Time’ s recognition is not an ending, but a beginning — a renewed call to preserve, champion, and share the richness of Indonesian and Nusantara culture with future generations.
