Most anticipated new hotels in Bali and Jakarta
New properties are flourishing in the first quarter of 2014. We picked six properties in Bali and Jakarta that are unique in terms of concept and style.
WakaGangga
This recently opened resort is located on a dramatic black sand beach in Tabanan area, just 45 minutes' drive from Seminyak. Surrounding the resort are some of Bali’s most fertile and protected rice fields.
Renowned landscaper, John Pettigrew, has brought the rice fields into the resort and created privacy around each spacious villa without the need for walls.
The 27 garden and pool villas are equipped with a four-poster bed, a day bed, desk and dressing room, finished with timber, tile and stone, high ceilings and abundant natural light. Each has its own unique view of the mountains, rice fields or the ocean.
WakaGangga is the signature resort of the new Waka Hotels and Resorts which also operates the WakaSailing Catamaran, NusaBay in Nusa Lembongan and the already popular WakaLandCruises.
Love F Hotel
The construction of Love F Hotel is one of the most interesting projects that is currently ongoing in Bali.
The hotel is inspired by the glamorous F brand known for their Fashion TV channel, thus every detail in the property reflects the alluring concept of the brand.
With the architecture being handled by the Marques & Jordy design firm of London, guests can expect to see plenty of diamond-shaped objects, as it is the symbol of the F brand. The hotel also features the ‘I Love Fashion’ clothing store and a long red carpet in the entrance area.
Legian has been chosen as the location for the hotel; a convenient option considering the area is known to be one of the most happening places in the island.
Chedi Sakala
Having opened recently to the public, Chedi Sakala joins Grand Aston in offering five-star comfort in the Tanjung Benoa area in Bali. The hotel houses 247 suites and 14 two-bedroom pool villas.
Despite being a new property, Chedi Sakala is standing on the shoulders of a giant as their main dining place, the Sakala Bali, has already been operating for two years on the hotel’s site. It has also earned quite a reputation for being one of the best fine-dining options in the area thanks to the supervision of executive chef Frederic Boulay.
Located at the beachfront of Tanjung Benoa, guests can also witness stunning sunrises that are the trademark scenery of the area every morning. The beach is home to plenty of water sports activities as well.
Bracha Villas
Being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bali, now Seminyak has a new addition to its already very colorful accommodation options.
Bracha Villas, which consists of 15 villas in its compound, was launched in early March.
Located on Jalan Braban, Taman Kerobokan Seminyak, Bracha offers 10 single-bedroom villas, four two-bedroom villas and one three-bedroom villa -- each includes a private swimming pool, living as well as dining area and a private tropical garden.
The property blends traditional architecture with a tropical rustic interior and comes with complete amenities and facilities such as spacious bathrooms equipped with rain showers, a large bathtub and Wi-Fi access. Massage, spa and beauty treatment services are also available upon guests' request at an additional charge.
Although the Bracha Villas' compound isn't equipped with a restaurant or public dining area, butler service is available and all food and beverages ordered will be served privately to guests' villas. Airport transfer and tour arrangements are required based on request.
Still in its soft-opening promotional program, Bracha Villa's rate starts from US$225 per night.
Discovery Hotel & Convention Ancol Jakarta
Scheduled to be fully operational in April, Discovery Hotel & Convention Ancol Jakarta (DHCA) nestles in a 24,602-square-meter site in the heart of Jakarta Bay facing the Java Sea.
Owned by PT Marina Ancol Green Hotel since 2011 and managed by Discovery Hotels & Resorts Group -- which also runs establishments such as Hotel Borobudur Jakarta and Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel Bali -- it was formerly known as the Raddin Hotel prior to the group acquiring the property to undergo a massive renovation that included removing the entire interior and adding more structure to the existing nine-storey building.
Aiming to lure business as well as leisure customers, DHCA offers a modern contemporary style concept and new features such as up to 257 rooms and suites with a starting rate from Rp 1,800,000 ($155), an open view all-day dining area, more than 10 meeting rooms, a grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,800 people and a sky lounge on the ninth floor overlooking the sea. It has also refurbished the existing facilities such as gym, health club, swimming pool, tennis court, spa, kid's club and shopping arcades to cater to all guests' needs.
A complimentary shuttle service traveling to various places is also available to guests with interesting nearby destinations including Dunia Fantasi theme park, Ecopark and Ancol Beach City shopping mall.
The Hermitage
Opening soon in May, The Hermitage occupies a 1923 art deco building in Menteng, Central Jakarta, which was once a Dutch telecommunications office and, over the course of several decades, served various functions from housing the Ministry of Education and Culture to being a campus of Bung Karno University.
Owned by PT Menteng Heritage Realty (a subsidiary wholly owned by the Wijaya Wisesa Group) and managed by Paris-based operator GLA Hotels, The Hermitage is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World Ltd., a company headquartered in New York, which represents over 430 of the world's finest hotels and resorts.
As for facilities, the nine-storey property boasts 90 rooms and suites with a contemporary intrepretation of 1920s heritage style with an opening rate starting from US$233, a brasserie and al fresco cafe, a bar and wine and cigar room, a rooftop bar on the ninth floor and four meeting rooms combined into a pillarless ballroom.
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