TIMES AUSTRALIA, JAKARTA – There are hotels built for leisure, and then there are places that breathe a nation’s soul. Tugu Hotels falls into the latter sanctuaries of art, memory, and quiet romance that honor the Spirit of Indonesia through design, storytelling, and heartfelt hospitality.

More than destinations to visit, Tugu properties are living archives where culture hums softly in every teak carving, every copper lantern, every whispered legend preserved in time.

In a world where luxury often means excess, Tugu restores its true meaning—connection, identity, and emotion. Inspired by love for Indonesia’s forgotten tales, each Tugu property immerses travelers in a rare universe where centuries-old craftsmanship meets thoughtful, intimate service.

It is a hospitality philosophy shaped not by opulence, but by authenticity, elegance, and sincerity.

This year, that soul was recognized on a global stage. At the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025, Indonesia once again shined among the world’s top destinations, with Bali crowned the Best Island in Asia, named alongside icons like Maldives, Bora Bora, and Naxos in The Best Islands in the World list.

Bali’s magic lies not only in its natural beauty, but in the way its communities continue to protect their traditions—balancing sacred rituals, timeless craft, and modern creativity with grace.

It is a place where volcanic-stone sculptors, architects inspired by ancient geometry, and chefs reimagining regional flavors all coexist in harmony, preserving a living cultural force that evolves without losing its soul.

Across the archipelago, this strength of spirit continues to redefine luxury. Indonesia’s true riches are not marble floors or gilded halls—but the warmth of a welcome, the comfort of a wooden joglo in a garden at dusk, or the way a cup of coffee arrives like a ceremony passed down for generations.

From Java’s batik artisans and Sumatra’s gold-thread songket weavers to Sulawesi’s silversmiths shaping ancestral motifs, the nation’s cultural tapestry remains a quiet triumph.

It is this philosophy—rooted, poetic, intimate—that Tugu embodies. In Bali, Lombok, Malang, and Jakarta, each hotel stands as a guardian of Indonesia’s heritage.

Guests dine beside ancient statues and royal heirlooms, learn traditional recipes passed down through noble kitchens, or watch shadow-puppet masters bring mythical epics to life. Every experience is personal, shaped not from template but from soul.

This distinction was recognized again as three Tugu properties i.e. Hotel Tugu Bali, Hotel Tugu Malang, and Hotel Tugu Lombok were named among Southeast Asia’s Top 10 Hotels, the only Indonesian brand to earn such honor.

Amidst celebrated addresses across Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, Tugu’s presence symbolizes more than excellence—it reflects Indonesia’s poetic voice in Asian hospitality. Where many chase spectacle, Tugu embodies grace. Where others design to impress, Tugu designs to connect.

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards honor places travelers remember not for grandeur, but for emotion. In that sense, Tugu’s recognition is not merely an award it is an affirmation.

It reminds the world that Indonesia’s beauty lies in cultural depth, craftsmanship, and warmth qualities Tugu Hotels has long championed and continues to preserve with devotion. (*)