How long does it take to give a 45-year-old a facelift in Bali?

Photo of Grace Millimaci

By Grace Millimaci

Journalist
West Travel Club & The West Australian

The "grande dame" of Balinese hospitality has been treated to a makeover.

It takes five years to give a 45-year-old a facelift.

That’s how long it has taken to rejuvenate the “grande dame” of Balinese hospitality. Bali Hyatt reopened as Hyatt Regency Bali this month, after a multimillion-dollar upgrade and modernisation.

The original hotel opened in 1973, back in the days when Kuta was still a sleepy fishing village.

“Bali Hyatt was the very first international hotel to open on the island and, at a time when hotels were all advocating Western-style design, Bali Hyatt was the first to adopt Indonesian-style architecture,” a spokesperson says.

Duration: 01m13s
The original buildings and gardens at Bali Hyatt were considered among Indonesia’s greatest treasures, and an example of luxury Balinese design and landscaped tropical gardens. The redeveloped hotel integrates the interiors throughout with the external environment. Hyatt Regency Bali
The original buildings and gardens at Bali Hyatt were considered among Indonesia’s greatest treasures, and an example of luxury Balinese design and landscaped tropical gardens. The redeveloped hotel integrates the interiors throughout with the external environment. Hyatt Regency Bali
There are three swimming pools by the beach: a lap pool, a children’s pool, and a main pool where guests can swim through a replica of Goa Gajah — the ninth-century "elephant cave" temple near Ubud that is carved out of volcanic rock. Hyatt Regency Bali
There are three swimming pools by the beach: a lap pool, a children’s pool, and a main pool where guests can swim through a replica of Goa Gajah — the ninth-century "elephant cave" temple near Ubud that is carved out of volcanic rock. Hyatt Regency Bali
Modern rooms feature a private balcony. Hyatt Regency Bali
Modern rooms feature a private balcony. Hyatt Regency Bali
A standard twin room. Hyatt Regency Bali
A standard twin room. Hyatt Regency Bali

The beachfront hotel is set on 9ha — which includes the original site on Sanur’s main street — and remains the biggest hotel development in Sanur. It is considered one of Bali’s cleanest and most peaceful beaches.

Hyatt Regency Bali has more than 360 rooms that range in size between 27sqm and 81sqm, each with their own balcony. There are 39 one-bedroom suites with balconies.

The hotel is about a 20-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport and a firm part of the local community.

“When guests step outside, they will encounter daily Balinese life: fishermen with their daily catch, families on scooters as well as yoga studios, cafes and co-working spaces,” the spokesperson says.

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