LANDSCAPE HYATT REGENCY BALI
Three decades later, in the late 2013s, Bali Hyatt announced its closing to commence a major renovation in its interior and landscape as an effort to stay relevant. This is where we began our journey when SHL Asia was trusted to design the landscape update to rebrand as a ‘Hyatt Regency Bali’.
Imagine walking down Danau Tamblingan road in the 1960s, in the morning, to catch the salt breeze of the Sanur coastline. Emerging from behind the grove of coconut skyline is the only high-rise structure, Bali Beach Hotel (now Grand Inna Bali Beach), stated as the kickstart of Balinese tourism. At the time, Sanur itself was already attracting tourists and artists to spend their holidays or even permanently stay there. Tourism in Southeast Asia was emerging as a promising prospect, so it is no wonder that Hyatt Hotel Corporation was aiming for expansion to Bali. The embryo took shape when Hyatt acquired a large piece of land originally purposed for a large hotel facility named Hotel Matahari and began the project in the late 1960s. The project was formally completed in 1973, becoming the first large hotel and resort to incorporate Balinese traditional design. This luxury was inaugurated under the brand of Bali Hyatt.
Bali Hyatt became the playground for various designers to witness their legendary touch. For instance, the grand design was crafted by Palmer and Turner, with Kerry Hill in charge of the project when he was still with their Hong Kong office. This resulted in the thatched roof long lobby and modern brutalist hotel block inside the bougainvillea garden. In the same decade, the design was finalized involving Geoffrey Bawa in the interior. In the 1980s, Made Wijaya and Bill Bensley provided their landscaping touch in Hyatt’s update. Three decades later, in the late 2013s, Bali Hyatt announced its closing to commence a major renovation in its interior and landscape as an effort to stay relevant. This is where we began our journey when SHL Asia was trusted to design the landscape update to rebrand as a ‘Hyatt Regency Bali’.
Taking a tour of the Hyatt, its entrance is already inviting from the very beginning. The entrance is full of vibrance and local materials indigenous to Sanur, much like the top of a Balinese offering adorned with flowers, signifying dignity in its local identity. If we look at Hyatt’s sister, Andaz, the contrast is very obvious as the latter prefers a simpler approach in terms of colorful ambience. The updates consist of rejuvenating the landscape ground cover finish with newer cobblestones and make it in pattern. Arriving at the roundabout of its drop-off, a thoughtful ‘Catur Muka’ sculpture signifies the four sacred directions – north, west, south, and east.
If the guest is familiar with the legendary Hyatt since the 70s, nothing has changed regarding the truest spirit of Hyatt’s Balinese tradition. The long hall designed by Kerry Hill remains intact, as does the modern brutalist hotel block with its cascade balcony. As landscape designers, we were led by the master plan from Tierra Design, responsible for the outdoor ambiance. Most of Made Wijaya and Bensley’s designs are left untouched, and we are working on a definitely new area closer to the coastline. The most obvious change will be the new swimming pool area adorned with majestic sculptures of ‘Goa Gajah’ and ‘Ganesha’ built-in local black stone. Around the pool, we still maintain the spirit of Balinese vibrance rich in flower culture.
The renovation work was completed in 2019, and the new face of Hyatt is surprising its loyal guests. A new generation of tourists is coming to Bali, expecting traditional hospitality with modern necessities under the rebranded entity: Hyatt Regency Bali. When we imagine how everything started in the 70s, with Hyatt standing as the pioneer of large-scale hospitality retreats, this update showcases that tradition and eternity lie in fluid adaptation to the generation. Joining forces with another top-tier designer of the world, SHL Asia leaves its mark on the legendary Hyatt.
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