At the heart of Bali Pecatu Graha, on top of a very strategic hill overlooking the ocean, sits a heavenly sanctuary like no other: an unparalleled all-in-one destination that promises to set a new standard for luxury hospitality. This new resort will be operated by New World Hotels from the world-renowned Rosewood Hotels group and will have features never before seen and some of the island’s most spacious high-end accommodations built with only the best materials by brilliant engineers and architects.
This new, highly anticipated property is called the New World Grand Bali Resort. Asia Dreams sat down with Djoni Hasjim, President Director of PT Mugie Bali Indah, and as he shared his vision for the ambitious project, we were constantly amazed at its magnitude and why it is important to maintain good momentum and positivity throughout. Read on for an exclusive up-close and personal chat with Djoni Hasjim himself regarding the New World Grand Bali Resort.
Q: First of all, congratulations on the rapid development progress of the New World Grand Bali Resort. We’ve heard a lot of great things about this project, but could you please tell us in your own way the core vision of the New World Grand Bali Resort?
A: We actually bought this beautiful land about four years ago. The land is located on the peak of Bali Pecatu Graha and is about 10.8 hectares. We believe we can create an amazing resort in this very strategic location. Of course, a lot of thoughts came into this project — we spoke to a lot of international hotel operators and, after a very lengthy consideration, decided to go with New World Hotels.
The idea is to build another level of the renowned New World brand. It will be a luxury five-star resort in the Pecatu area bearing the vision of creating a new concept of resort — different from the many luxurious and beautiful resorts in Bali — that’s taken in input from a lot of prestigious international hotel operators and design consultants, resulting in what we think will be a very distinct resort altogether. Obviously we don’t have time to disclose everything in detail, but it will be something that will certainly amaze.
Q: We all know that in property development, location is key. What do you think are some of the competitive edges that the New World Grand Bali Resort’s physical location in Pecatu has to offer, both in the long run as well as in the immediate future?
A: That is true. Location is key in property development. We are setting ourselves apart in that we are not necessarily offering the very common “beachfront” perk. We are offering instead a location so perfect that each and every single accommodation will have an unobstructed, unhindered panoramic view of the ocean. This is achieved through meticulously careful planning and efficient use of our location.
Q: Having a total of 416 luxurious units across different types of suites and villas, what will be some of the main characteristics highlighted by each of these units that will be unique features of the New World Grand Bali Resort?
A: The New World Grand Bali Resort offers three products: suites, grand suites and we have the villas. All of the suites are in the main hotel building with sizes of no less than 60 sq. m. — considerably bigger than the starting suites of other hotels. Then we have the 80 sq. m. grand suites, which come with individual plunge pools and spectacular views of the ocean. In fact, every accommodation offers the same magnificent ocean view, only with slight variations in elevation. As for the villas, we have our one-bedroom at 250 sq.m., two bedrooms, 500 sq.m., three bedrooms at 750 sq.m. and the ubiquitous four bedrooms at around 1,000 sq.m.
Q: Tell us a little bit about one of the whopping 1,000 sq.m. luxury villas. What can we expect to see there?
A: Space equals luxury. We have a really huge piece of land and we’re not afraid to use it to generously provide that sense of ultra-luxury that people crave. This is one of the things that will set us apart from the rest. The 1,000 sq.m. luxury villa, complemented with our very spectacular sunset-facing view, will make our guests feel pampered and right at home. Add to that the luxurious materials that highlight the exclusivity of the villa and we are setting a new standard for ultra-luxurious, spacious villas.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the recreational, functional and F&B facilities planned for the New World Grand Bali Resort? Would it be possible to reveal which names and brands you are currently approaching to achieve this end?
A: First of all, the idea of a family resort is one of the focal points at New World Grand Bali. I’ll give you some examples. We are creating something that Bali has never seen before, a very beautiful dancing fountain, which I expect will be a very large attraction. We are also building an exclusive beach club surrounded with a beach-like pool with sand, waves and everything and we’re building a river pool, along with many other fun and exciting facilities that families can enjoy.
For F&B, we will have multiple thematic dining venues and options, including all-day dining, Chinese restaurants, Indonesian restaurants, a plethora of international F&B offerings, an after-hour lounge/nightclub. In total we plan to have about six F&B outlets and these will be open to the public, allowing non-guest visitors to enjoy our offerings as well.
At the heart of Bali Pecatu Graha, on top of a very strategic hill overlooking the ocean, sits a heavenly sanctuary like no other: an unparalleled all-in-one destination that promises to set a new standard for luxury hospitality. This new resort will be operated by New World Hotels from the world-renowned Rosewood Hotels group and will have features never before seen and some of the island’s most spacious high-end accommodations built with only the best materials by brilliant engineers and architects.
This new, highly anticipated property is called the New World Grand Bali Resort. Asia Dreams sat down with Djoni Hasjim, President Director of PT Mugie Bali Indah, and as he shared his vision for the ambitious project, we were constantly amazed at its magnitude and why it is important to maintain good momentum and positivity throughout. Read on for an exclusive up-close and personal chat with Djoni Hasjim himself regarding the New World Grand Bali Resort.
Q: First of all, congratulations on the rapid development progress of the New World Grand Bali Resort. We’ve heard a lot of great things about this project, but could you please tell us in your own way the core vision of the New World Grand Bali Resort?
A: We actually bought this beautiful land about four years ago. The land is located on the peak of Bali Pecatu Graha and is about 10.8 hectares. We believe we can create an amazing resort in this very strategic location. Of course, a lot of thoughts came into this project — we spoke to a lot of international hotel operators and, after a very lengthy consideration, decided to go with New World Hotels.
The idea is to build another level of the renowned New World brand. It will be a luxury five-star resort in the Pecatu area bearing the vision of creating a new concept of resort — different from the many luxurious and beautiful resorts in Bali — that’s taken in input from a lot of prestigious international hotel operators and design consultants, resulting in what we think will be a very distinct resort altogether. Obviously we don’t have time to disclose everything in detail, but it will be something that will certainly amaze.
Q: We all know that in property development, location is key. What do you think are some of the competitive edges that the New World Grand Bali Resort’s physical location in Pecatu has to offer, both in the long run as well as in the immediate future?
A: That is true. Location is key in property development. We are setting ourselves apart in that we are not necessarily offering the very common “beachfront” perk. We are offering instead a location so perfect that each and every single accommodation will have an unobstructed, unhindered panoramic view of the ocean. This is achieved through meticulously careful planning and efficient use of our location.
Q: Having a total of 416 luxurious units across different types of suites and villas, what will be some of the main characteristics highlighted by each of these units that will be unique features of the New World Grand Bali Resort?
A: The New World Grand Bali Resort offers three products: suites, grand suites and we have the villas. All of the suites are in the main hotel building with sizes of no less than 60 sq. m. — considerably bigger than the starting suites of other hotels. Then we have the 80 sq. m. grand suites, which come with individual plunge pools and spectacular views of the ocean. In fact, every accommodation offers the same magnificent ocean view, only with slight variations in elevation. As for the villas, we have our one-bedroom at 250 sq.m., two bedrooms, 500 sq.m., three bedrooms at 750 sq.m. and the ubiquitous four bedrooms at around 1,000 sq.m.
Q: Tell us a little bit about one of the whopping 1,000 sq.m. luxury villas. What can we expect to see there?
A: Space equals luxury. We have a really huge piece of land and we’re not afraid to use it to generously provide that sense of ultra-luxury that people crave. This is one of the things that will set us apart from the rest. The 1,000 sq.m. luxury villa, complemented with our very spectacular sunset-facing view, will make our guests feel pampered and right at home. Add to that the luxurious materials that highlight the exclusivity of the villa and we are setting a new standard for ultra-luxurious, spacious villas.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the recreational, functional and F&B facilities planned for the New World Grand Bali Resort? Would it be possible to reveal which names and brands you are currently approaching to achieve this end?
A: First of all, the idea of a family resort is one of the focal points at New World Grand Bali. I’ll give you some examples. We are creating something that Bali has never seen before, a very beautiful dancing fountain, which I expect will be a very large attraction. We are also building an exclusive beach club surrounded with a beach-like pool with sand, waves and everything and we’re building a river pool, along with many other fun and exciting facilities that families can enjoy.
For F&B, we will have multiple thematic dining venues and options, including all-day dining, Chinese restaurants, Indonesian restaurants, a plethora of international F&B offerings, an after-hour lounge/nightclub. In total we plan to have about six F&B outlets and these will be open to the public, allowing non-guest visitors to enjoy our offerings as well.
INVALUABLE PARTNERSHIPS
In undertaking the massive project that is the New World Grand Bali Resort, Djoni Hasjim has carefully screened and established strong partnerships with a number of international consultants, namely WOW Design Studio, Hirsch Bedner Associates and Belt Collins International. Asia Dreams was given the opportunity to approach key individuals at each firm for some crucial insights and about their take on this highly anticipated project.
Belt Collins International
Mr. Kerton, as chairman of Belt Collins, could you share your personal take on this colossal project of the New World Grand Bali Resort?
• The New World Grand Bali Resort is indeed an ambitious project, involving the full range of design study, from large–scale master planning down to the smallest of details and careful material and plant species selection. The large scale of the project will certainly be impressive and dramatic, but it will also be very important for us to create small–scale, private and intimate landscape spaces that guests are able to walk through, feel comfortable in to discover the unique experience of Bali.
In terms of design, how has the experience been so far in working with PT Mugie Bali Indah as well as the two other design consultancy firms?
• This is Belt Collins International Singapore’s first project with PT Mugie Bali Indah and there is certainly a shared vision and meeting of minds between us. We have extensive past experience of working together with both WOW Architects and HBA on projects. We always like to work in a collaborative, team environment on projects and there is certainly a synergy and mutual respect between our three design offices.
Tell us in brief what unique aspects and ideals Belt Collins International will bring to the table in terms of design and engineering.
• The starting point of all our projects is the site. No two sites are the same and we spend a lot of time understanding what the particular DNA of each site is, before we actually start designing. We always strive to create unique and memorable landscapes that have a strong sense of place and an inherent connection to the environment.
What are some of the strategic ideals of Belt Collins that go hand-in-hand with the vision of the New World Grand Bali Resort and how does this translate into implementing the design elements in practice?
• The creation of a unique luxury resort experience that is in harmony with the physical, cultural and historical environment is an important guiding principle for us. Bali is rich in design and cultural inspiration and the landscape for the New World Grand Bali Resort will draw heavily from the rice terraces, forests, mountain streams, artwork and culture of the island.
Hirsch Bedner Associates
With so many prestigious properties, both local and international, in Hirsch Bedner Associates portfolio, how does the company keep each project unique?
• The genesis of each project’s design is influenced by a number of factors that aid in creating a bespoke interior. Initially, many of Hirsch Bedner Associates projects are shaped by the operator’s brand standards, which give a very general direction to the design style and ambiance. Within this overall guideline, we further research the local culture, geography, history, etc. to create a concept story upon which the design can be hinged. With more than 1,700 designers globally, Hirsch Bedner Associates can also provide a wealth of diverse design solutions and perspectives.
What is the company’s approach in translating Hirsch Bedner Associates ideals to help support and realize the vision of the New World Grand Bali Resort?
• HBA’s approach to design is “being global by keeping it local”. For the New World Grand Bali, Hirsch Bedner Associates Singapore is working very closely with Hirsch Bedner Associates Indonesia to create a design that meets our brand standards, as well as Rosewood’s, but our aim is to also keep the design very relevant to the rich Balinese culture. Together, our common objective is to bring to fruition a bespoke interior that is unique and respectful to the Balinese tradition whilst also achieving the design quality standards associated with an Hirsch Bedner Associates property.
What are some of the main philosophies of Hirsch Bedner Associates in designing the interior of a property such as the New World Grand Bali Resort?
• The salient philosophy of keeping the design as relevant as possible to the local context has previously been touched upon. In addition to this, in a resort, creating a healthy synergy between the interior and exterior is extremely important. Unlike an urban hotel, in which the interiors can largely be planned with little influence on or from the exterior envelope, a resort typically has open areas that bleed out to the exterior. Therefore, Hirsch Bedner Associates approach to resort design is more holistic and we try to work as closely as possible with the appointed architect to ensure a seamless experience between the zones.
How has the experience been so far working with PT Mugie Bali Indah on this massive project?
• It is still early days now. We are gaining a momentum in communications and collaboration. However, now that we are entering the next stages of design development for the rooms, we hope a greater sense of collaboration and transparency will grow as the project enters coordination and review. The most successful projects are when all parties – consultants, operators and owners – can have frank, open and constructive discussions with each other with the common goal of creating a product that we can all be proud of upon opening.
WOW Design Studio
WOW Design Studio prides itself on integrating local economic and cultural context into its designs. How deep does the research go for a project as massive as the New World Grand Bali Resort?
• Balinese architecture is distinct and famous for its uniqueness and, to get beyond that, we have to be extra creative and yet not violate the basic rules of its proportions and style. We are using a very tailored approach that has been carefully tested to ensure we can retain the most fundamental values of this distinctive feature.
To satisfy this we explore the richness of Balinese culture from its social setting, character of the people, religion and arts. We integrate multi-dimensional meanings in the design so that we have very strong story line for each corner and detail in the entire building.
What are some of the key aspects in implementing a stunning design within an area with very strong and prominent local cultural values?
• In the masterplan we blend the building into a landscape that resembles a terraced paddy field in a unique geometry. Within it we built a focal point in the form of an iconic structure that could be the landmark of the entire peninsula. Hence this landmark stands out from afar as it appears reflecting the sunset in vast, landscaped hills. This architectural gesture was used by ancient Balinese to emphasize the importance of their temples.
Exactly how big of a team is needed to accommodate the design and architectural needs of the New World Grand Bali Resort from start to finish?
• We in WOW Design Studio work simultaneously amongst various teams within the organization. The design concept team continuously adjusts the design to suit various parties in the development of the project. The permit and compliance team produces drawings to be approved by various authorities.
The design development team produces details and provides selections of materials and its specifications. The production team produces documentation for construction and the project coordination and supervision team will ensure the quality as per the design intent. Each team requires two to four experienced designers and architects.
How has the experience been so far working with PT Mugie Bali Indah on this massive project?
• Together with our client, a team of experienced professionals, we have been working closely combining ideas, formulizing the design by maximizing the potentials of the sites, pushing it to the edge until we achieved the design that we have shown today. So the client should have the most credit for the development of the design.
Would you like to share a little bit about other major projects that the company is currently engaged in?
• WOW Design Studio just completed a 400-room hotel operated by The Hilton in Wenchang, Hainan, China. This is a very prestigious development that we are really proud to have been a part of. And by early next year we are expecting to complete The Autograph by Marriott in Sanya, Hainan, China.
These projects that we have are perfectly in line with New World Grand Bali Resort, and we are really proud to have been given the opportunity to play a significant role in the very ambitious project.
