In a world that seems to be forever rushing forward, Bali Hyatt in Sanur decided to take a quite step back. This classic Balinese style hotel, which welcomed its first guests in 1973, has undertaken an extensive US $12 million restoration programmed that is rejuvenating all guest rooms and restoring each of the hotel's public area to their original Balinese character.
Bali Hyatt has a fortuitous location to begin with, on the gleaming white sand of Sanur Beach facing a tranquil lagoon fringed as far as the eye can see by a coral reef. The hotel lies just 25 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport and ten minutes from Denpasar. The lobby is certain to impress first-time visitor, with its soaring pitched roof made from coconut beams covered with thatched elephant grass. From it hang chandeliers of carved coconut with gold leaf design.
One emphasis in the restoration is attention to Balinese customs of proportion and materials. Wood finishes are being taken back to their original hues. The removal of paint and varnishes has resulted in a far warmer and more natural look.
Intricate batik and ikat fabrics in a rich palate of colors are being used as upholstery and wall hangings. Specially commissioned art pieces grace each guest unit. Bathrooms also enjoy new fixtures and fittings. In additions, a televisions set will be installed in every room. All rooms have individually controlled air conditioning, IDD telephones, mini bars, refrigerators and access satellite television and extensive in house video programming.
The new Bali Hyatt will have 390 rooms in three courts, including 68 Regency Club rooms and five Duplex Suites. Bathrooms in 50 new Regency Club rooms will have been enlarge to include separate showers and built in hair dryers. The new Regency Club Lounge will offer complimentary Continental breakfast, coffee and tea throughout the day, early evening cocktails, international magazines, newspaper and games.
All the hotel's restaurants have been renamed, in keeping with their new looks, the beach side Pizza Ria offers Italian cooking and home made dessert in a casual setting. Wantilan is the hotel's shady café restaurant, where rijstaffel and table side cooking are crowd pleasers. Telaga Naga allows guest to dine in open air pavilions surrounded by lush tropical foliage; Szechuan and Cantonese dishes top the choice menu. Omang-Omang Grill, situated between two swimming pools, specializes in gourmet preparations of fresh-caught seafood, either grilled or steamed. The Cupak Bistro and Grantang Bar serve up snacks drinks plus live musical entertainment each evening. There is also a swim-up bar in the pool terrace area.
For many Bali Hyatt guests, the hotel's two large pools (with Jacuzzi and a cold dip) will be the number one spots to spend their free time. But there are lots of other choices as well: tennis on two courts lit for evening play, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and jogging on the hotel's own track. There is also a three holes short and putting course, with another nine holes course just minutes away. Windsurfing water skiing, outrigger sailing, deep sea fishing and scuba diving excursions can quickly be arranged by hotel staff; so can outings on the Bali Hyatt's two boats.
One of the Bali Hyatt's great glories, though remains virtually unchanged, its celebrated gardens, which are among the most glorious of any hotel anywhere in the world. They were designed by famed Australian landscape architect Michael White (Now known by Balinese name Made Wijaya ) and created through the labors of 55 hard working gardeners more than a decade ago. The delightfully wild look of the gardens is the result both careful planning and meticulous daily maintenance.
