Nusa Dua Hotel: Witness to many important talks

Nusa Dua Hotel: Witness to many important talks

By Benito Lopulalan

NUSA DUA (Bali): Only God knows how many important dialogs related to world affairs have been conducted within the rooms of the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel.

After it opened to the public in 1982, and since its inauguration by President Soeharto in 1983, the hotel has silently witnessed the private conversations of kings and presidents in their most private moments. Former US president Ronald Reagan and King Hussein of Jordan are among the international leaders of its VIP guest list. Not to mention New Zealand's David Lange, France's Francois Mitterand, Germany's Helmut Kohl and many others.

This same hotel has been under renovation for the past two years and will reopen on Jan. 14, bringing in a new radiance.

The hotel was the first five-star hotel in the Nusa Dua resort area.

"In 1980, Joop Ave, Wiweko and I chose the best location for the first five-star hotel in the Nusa Dua area," recalled Stanley Allison, a former vice president of the initial owner of the hotel, PT Aerowisata, a Garuda-owned tourism company.

Joop Ave, currently Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications, was then director general of tourism, and Wiweko was president of the national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia.

At the time, the Nusa Dua area was a newly developed government-built hotel complex, yet no hotel corporation had bid for the site. Effectively, the construction of the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel was designed to promote the birth of a new concept in Indonesian resort development. Exceeding expectations, the concept and its final product runs beautifully, with the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel as the first model.

"The hotel is undoubtedly successful, both conceptually and economically," Allison claims.

Thanks to the heavenly image of Bali, the beauty of the beach and the fully-facilitated privacy of an isolated Nusa Dua complex, the hotel's occupancy rate has been better than expected. The success is also attributed to another plus point, its architectural design, which is reminiscent of an elegant, traditional Balinese palace, constructed from mostly local materials. The designer, Kiki Dharmawan, brought in the aura of kings and presidents, as impressive as an authentic royal palace.

"These are the elements of success, especially the design, which often makes many guests ask about the previous owner of the palace," said Allison.

He proudly added that historically, the hotel is the most exclusive in Bali.

Exclusive

Naturally, the business potentials of the Nusa Dua resort complex attracted competitors. After government-owned hotels such as the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel were built, several privately-owned hotels were established in the area. The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel served as a magnet, offering internationalized glamour to Bali. Other prominent resort names, including Hilton, Sheraton, Hyatt and Aman, followed suit and built their hotel in the same area. Bali, which previously suffered from a scarcity of opulent accommodations, currently has thousands of luxurious room that cater to an up-scale clientele.

Recently, the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel was promoted to a diamond hotel.

"Exclusivity is the given advantage in our history," said Kevin O'Hagan, the hotel's general manager.

To create a new advantage, the hotel has just completed grand- scale renovations that started two years ago when the management embarked on a US$22 million refurbishment program to restore the hotel to its original, authentic Balinese palace-style design.

The transformation of 380 guest rooms and suites emphasize ethnic decor, larger bathroom facilities, and the first-class amenities expected from a deluxe hotel. The new Palace Wing ensures exclusivity and regal service, with sumptuous decorations, private gardens for Lanai guest rooms and butler service. All areas of the hotel have been rejuvenated to reflect their true Balinese character with the deployment of wooden hues and carefully selected fabric and handicrafts.

The renovation has created a palace with spa gardens, supported by a wide range of additional facilities. An exceptional Spa and Health Center, complete with a Lap Pool and Spa cafe, a new lagoon-style bather swimming pool and freshly landscaped garden, all serve to enhance the overall ambience of the hotel's grounds. The hotel is prepared for tourists from various origins.

"Our facilities cater for domestic, Asian or European, as well as American and Australian tourists," explained Kevin O'Hagan.

This is reflected in its nine food and beverage outlets, each featuring distinct cuisines from Indonesian fare to Continental pizza. A restaurant, the Wedang Jahe, serves buffet breakfasts as well as light-and-hearty meals around the clock. Named after the image of the hotel is Raja's (the King's) Table, which offers a tasteful selection of Southeast Asian cuisine in an open atmosphere, where meals are prepared before the guests.

With all these facilities, especially the Spa, the hotel's renaissance provides a friendly atmosphere for people to meet each other within a classy Balinese environment. Architecturally, the hotel becomes a place where one can choose to hide away or encounter friendly people.

"The new garden encourages friendliness from our regal exclusivity," said O'Hagan.

Several beaches in the area have been damaged by long-term erosion, yet the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel maintains a pristine beach, a facility provided by nature.

"The beach is the best spot for a beach party in the Nusa Dua area," O'Hagan added.

In addition, the new Business Center and refurbished function rooms will be able to cater for conventions and meetings for up to 500 persons.

There is another side to the renovations: a new improvement in service. Kevin O'Hagan insists that well-trained employees are not enough for the renovated Nusa Dua Beach Hotel. The staff should be fun-trained as well, "Because we should personalize a palace through good and friendly services," he maintained.

For that purpose, the hotel management implements the TIGER (Training In guest Employee Relation) motto.

"Everyone attracts their own costumer as they appeal to new friends," said O'Hagan seriously. "And to communicate better with customers, to absorb new ideas from guests, or to invent personal ideas about better services, and to communicate the ideas to management -- people need these skills."

"Employees will realize that it is enjoyable to give the best service they can for guest satisfaction."

The question is, is the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel really coming back?

"Yes, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel is coming back," said O'Hagan.

He added that the hotel will have its regular friends, the regular visitors.

"In the next three or four years, when the same names reappear in the guest list, then we know we have achieved the expected reputation, that we are really coming back."