Wallowing in divine luxury at newly opened Bali resort

Wallowing in divine luxury at newly opened Bali resort

PT Bakrie Nirwana Resort recently invited The Jakarta Post
reporter, Sylvia Gratia Mirinda, to visit its new resort in
Tabana, adjacent to Bali's sacred Tanah Lot temple.

TABANAN, Bali (JP): As the rupiah continues to plummet, many
people are complaining over rocketing prices of food staples and
the struggle to survive. For a lucky few, however, it is still
business, and pleasure, as usual.

Those in the latter category may find themselves with more
opportunities to kick back and relax in the months ahead.

They may get the opportunity to tee off at sunrise against a
dramatic ocean backdrop, or sip a cocktail as they visually drink
in a breathtaking sunset.

Or they can indulge in invigorating pampering for body and
mind at a luxurious marine spa.

The promise of those heady experiences is found at Le Meridien
Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort, which opened last month.

Set against the lofty mountains and rice terraces of Bali's
Tabanan regency on the southwest coast, overlooking the Indian
Ocean and away from crowded beaches of Kuta and Sanur, this new
resort offers a natural retreat with world-class facilities.

Yet within easy reach of the hotel are all the attractions of
the famed island, including the beautiful sea temple, Tanah Lot,
one of the six holiest temples for Balinese Hindus.

The five-star, 278-room hotel is part of the Nirwana Bali
Resort. Spread across its 109 hectares is an 18-hole golf course
designed by Greg Norman, 184 exclusive resort homes, luxury
villas, cottages and estate lots, 180 time-share suites and the
marine spa, claimed to be one of Southeast Asia's largest.

Panoramic views from the hotel's lobby take in the crashing
surf beyond, as well as the rice terraces which form a stunning
backdrop of the entire resort.

Low-lying buildings incorporate traditional graceful Balinese
architecture, and local artifacts and art adorn both the
guest rooms and public areas of the hotel.

"At Le Meridien Nirwana, every effort has been made to retain
the Balinese heritage," said the hotel's general manager, Gerard
Hotelier.

He added that Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa was designed to
provide a true Balinese experience for its guests.

Visibly the accent is placed on natural indigenous materials,
in the ecologically sound idea which is rapidly gaining
popularity worldwide. Coconut palm wood, rattan, bamboo, reeds
and a specific grass from the area play a major role.

Entrances to the rooms are graced by ponds, contributing to
the impression that the buildings float on the water. Water is a
predominant feature and is incorporated throughout the hotel.

There are numerous ornamental pools in the grounds. There are
three Balinese swimming pools, a 54-meter water slide, and a
swimming lagoon with a man-made sand beach.

The US$300 million resort is owned and developed by PT Bakrie
Nirwana Resort, a jointly owned company of Bakrie Nusantara
Corporation and Bakrie Investindo, both of them are subsidiaries
of the widely diversified Bakrie Group.

It is designed by U.S.-based Wimberly Allison Tong & Go
(WAT&G), considered to be the leading architectural firm
specializing in designs for the hospitality and leisure industry.

It preserves the attractive natural features of its idyllic
site. Around 70 percent of the resort is dedicated to lush
landscaping and open green spaces.

Dorian P. Landers, CEO of PT Bakrie Nirwana Resort, said that
the developer spent about $6 million on landscaping alone.

The developer maintained some 20 hectares of rice terraces at
the resort, and locals farm and harvest them. Existing trees,
including around 3,000 coconut trees, barely untouched.

Other environmental measures include the treatment and
processing of all waste into clean water for use in watering the
golf course and the landscaped grounds. This cuts down on water
usage and at the same time eliminates the problem of waste
disposal.

An outstanding feature of the golf course is the presence of
paddy fields, many of which are used as roughs and hazards.

The rice is planted at different times of the year, and at
various spots, so golfers can enjoy the different stages of rice
cultivation on their round.

Each of the course's holes presents a different test. Holes
7,13 and 14 are located on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The 7th hole requires a combination of skill and
concentration. From a tee nestled on one cliff, the golfer must
use a middle iron to hit across to the green on another cliff.

Claiming to be the only membership golf course in Bali, it has
a limited membership of 550, currently offered at prices ranging
from $47,000 to $75,000.

The International Management Group manages and maintains the
course.

Controversy

The sense of peace, timelessness and special charm at the
hotel is a big contrast to protests which greeted the beginning
of construction in early 1994.

Controversy arose because it is within walking distance of
sacred Tanah Lot.

The central board of Parishada Hindu Dharma, the highest
Balinese Hindu body, had barred any development unrelated to
religious needs within a two-kilometer radius of Tanah Lot.

Landers said the problem was settled. The company has
renovated and maintained 12 temples within its boundaries,
including four located on the coast, as part of the resort's
commitment, he said.

"We currently employ more than 1,000 people, of which 75
percent are from surrounding villages and Tabanan regency."

Service by the young Balinese staff is generally efficient and
they are eager to please guests. The biggest problem for the
latter could be in tearing themselves away from its amenities to
see the rest of the island.