The Apurva Kempinski Bali: A Grand Staircase to Indonesia’s Power

A night shot of Apurva Kempinski’s grand staircase – a modern edifice that reflects mighty Indonesia

By Raini Hamdi, June 4, 2024

While grand staircases grace many Asian hotels – The Peninsula Hong Kong’s dramatic lobby ascent or the swirling masterpiece at the Island restaurant at Westin Maldives Mirihando come to mind – Bali’s Apurva Kempinski takes this architectural element to new heights.

A mere photo of this 2019-opened property sparked a yearning to see it in person. Finally, on a post-pandemic Bali trip, I stood before it, speechless. “Awe-inspiring” was the only word that fit.

Words struggle to capture the grandeur. Clichéd as it may sound, seeing is believing. For me, the Apurva Kempinski has joined the ranks of travel’s must-visits.

Keynotes of Grandeur

Rice Terrace Inspiration: The design echoes Bali’s iconic rice terraces, cascading in harmony with the natural landscape.

Water Feature Majesty: Inspired by Bali’s sacred Pura Besakih water temple, a 250-stair walkway cuts through the center of the resort, flanked by cascading water features and lush greenery.

Echoes of Ancient Temples: The hotel’s scale, symmetry, and intricate details evoke Indonesia’s grand palaces and temples, like Borobudur or Prambanan.

Modern Pendopo Lobby: Drawing from the traditional pendopo (an open reception pavilion), the main lobby features a soaring tiered roof in a vast 2,000-sqm space, offering breathtaking ocean views. It’s a fusion of modern and traditional.

Local Craftsmanship Meets Luxury: The opulent interiors showcase skilled Indonesian artisans’ work, blending rich fabrics, indigenous motifs, and exotic woods with contemporary design.

A “Powerful Indonesia”

My conversation with General Manager Vincent Guironnet revealed a deeper purpose for Apurva Kempinski: to offer guests a glimpse of a “Powerful Indonesia.” The hotel presents itself as a living “open-theatre” that pays homage to the Majapahit era, a mighty empire that shaped Indonesia’s cultural legacy through advancements in art and architecture.

Guironnet and his team are even using “Powerful Indonesia” as a global marketing slogan, not just for the hotel but for the entire country.

“We dedicate significant energy and resources to promoting not just Bali, but Java, Sumatra and other islands, highlighting the country’s diverse culture [‘Unity in Diversity‘] and its historical significance [Majapahit dynasty]. We have a team of 10 people working in this property working on marketing,” he told me.

Guironnet is transitioning from partnering with Indonesian companies to collaborating with international partners as well. “For example, collaborating with an Indonesian singer living in France. How can we leverage this network of Indonesians abroad to increase both our visibility and Indonesia’s as a whole?

“Because let’s face it, Indonesia remains somewhat of a secret to the rest of the world. People might say it’s wonderful, but what does that truly convey? We’ve adopted the slogan ‘Powerful Indonesia’ to emphasize its true strengths: a rich cultural heritage, diverse ethnicities that fuel its vibrant culture, and undeniable economic power. Everything you encounter in Indonesia exudes a sense of power – the art, the fashion, the furniture, the food… the list goes on,” said Guironnet, who has lived in Indonesia for nearly two decades.

Full of Surprises

I expected the hotel to attract mainly wealthy retirees with ample time, especially history and culture buffs. Surprisingly, it was filled with a younger crowd – couples, families, and friend groups, both local and international.

I anticipated a “classic luxury” experience – plush carpets muffling every footstep, gentle murmurs of conversation, a haven undisturbed by excitement. In short, sedate. Turns out this hotel, with all its focus on invoking the grand past, also caters to present and future. Apurva Kempinski may be steeped in traditional architecture, but it’s trendy, lively, and fun.

Modern Indonesia Breathes Here

Modern Indonesia comes alive in the form of “local-spotting” – the sight of a group of young adults celebrating graduation with a lunch at Pala restaurant, for instance. The hotel’s youthful staff embodies this spirit too, eager to serve and connect with guests. It’s also evident in the hotel’s innovative F&B concepts, such as Bali’s first aquarium restaurant, Koral, offering a delightful fine-dining experience alongside a mesmerizing underwater spectacle.

However, of the eight F&B options, my favorite was a seat at the beautiful Pala Rooftop Bar with its ocean views. We savored Indian food ordered from Pala Restaurant below, and it was one of our most magical evenings ever.

A Peaceful Paradise

With 475 rooms, suites, and villas, I expected noisy poolsides and bustling breakfasts. In reality, the property functions as a three-in-one hotel, each section with its own check-in, breakfast area, and outdoor pool (apart from the main pools, including a children’s pool).

Everything felt spacious, except, surprisingly, the gym. I I expected a larger gym, given the expansive lobby and my 100-sqm Cliff Private Pool Junior Suite (even the entry-level room is a generous 65 sqm, compared to the standard 45-sqm in many Bali luxury hotels).

The cardio machines were all occupied during my visit. But then again, the sun was shining and there’s the vast hotel outdoors to explore, including a shimmering 60-m pool. I ditched the gym and what a blessing in disguise that it was full, because it was exhilarating to be outside.

In fact, my entire stay was uplifting. Few hotels possess the power to convey the strength of their destination. Apurva Kempinski is a grand staircase that leads us to a profound realization: Indonesia’s immense potential.

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