The Tugu

At the end of a road lined with boutiques, food stalls and cafes on the surf beach that is Canggu you will find the exotic and eccentric Hotel Tugu. Tugu means monument in English and this vibrant hotel is indeed a monumental celebration of the ancient kingdoms of Indonesia from the lovingly restored 18th century Javanese palace and ancient Chinese temple, which houses the wonderful Japanese restaurant “Ji”, to it’s very own museum of historical artefacts. This fabulous gem was created more than 20 years ago, but the beauty of well executed design is that it never tires. Weird and slightly bonkers, it is a million miles away from the sterile designer builds found all over the world today. Of course, the Tugu Bali lives in a more modern Canggu these days, a place of surfer dudes, beach bars and nightlife but somehow the two manage to rub shoulders together and if you want real Indonesian style in a haven of tranquility Tugu is the place to go. Each of the 22 Javanese timber houses have been individually created and are set amongst lotus ponds and lush tropical gardens. Some have plunge pools and ponds teeming with koi, others have views over the tropical gardens to the beautiful Indian Ocean. There are a couple of truly breathtaking suites but whatever you choose you will not be disappointed by this art loving, romantic and quirky hotel that is Tugu.