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."