Bali Hyatt Construction Delays & Possible Opening
A few years ago I was looking to take a last minute trip to Asia and when looking at cheap hotels, the Bali Hyatt stood out. Located on a nice beach near the town of Sanur, the Bali Hyatt was only a category 1 Hyatt property. I wasn’t a Globalist at the time so I transferred over some Ultimate Rewards points and enjoyed club access for only 7,000 points per night. I fell in love.
Spread across a massive amount of land, the Bali Hyatt had a giant open air lobby along with an fantastic club lounge located within the gardens. While the pools were nice and the beach was good, those acres and acres of gardens were the true standout. The one negative for some was that the hotel was getting old and dated. The buildings hadn’t changed much since opening and the rooms while nice, were not quite luxurious.
But something was about to change.
Goodbye After 40 Years
The Bali Hyatt opened on November 14th, 1973 and remained open for over 40 years before closing in late 2013. At the time, the hotel announced on their Facebook page:
Following a closing party to mark this special milestone, she will be closing for a major, two-year renovation project. The hotel is expected to reopen in the last quarter of 2015 sporting a fresh new plumage under the name of Hyatt Regency Bali.
As 2014 came, there was little news about the complete redevelopment of this property. Occasionally one of the hotel’s hardcore fans (of which there were many) would post about visiting the site and not seeing any work being done. In June, 2014 there was a post on Facebook saying construction was progressing, but that didn’t happen. Indeed the hotel sat shuttered for a long time.
Into 2015. No Opening. No Construction.
Come 2015 I continued to occasionally check their Facebook page, but nothing. Then on March 3, 2015 the following message appeared. The hotel was delayed until 2017. 🙁
Dear Friends of Hyatt Regency Bali
Thank you for all your continued support and interest in the renovation of Bali Hyatt, soon to reopen as Hyatt Regency Bali.
I would like to start this first post of 2015 by letting everyone know that the project is moving forward and aside from some delays things are progressing. Due to these delays we have had to push the re-opening of the hotel until early 2017 at this time.
While this was indeed bad news, it was something. We also learned a little later in March, 2015 that the hotel’s incredibly special and lush gardens were being maintained. Have I mentioned how much I LOVED the gardens?
As a Bali Hyatt superfan, I was once again getting excited. Some basic construction photos trickled in as well. This was actually happening. And then people began commenting that work continued to be slow. There were apparently permitting issues of some sort. That could just be a rumor, but it was apparent that the hotel would be delayed again. The hotel’s staff did continue to tempt us with even more garden photos in 2016, but little else.
Main Construction Begins
By late 2016 some good news finally came….sort of. The hotel confirmed that main construction was beginning, but then their social media account went dark for nearly a year. Finally, in mid-2017 another update appeared indicating that the hotel would reopen in the 2nd quarter of 2018. Then a couple of months later it was changed to the 3rd quarter 2018 before finally being changed to this:
A New Hope
While I was (and still am) skeptical that the hotel will open by the end of this year, a number of positive things have happened. The hotel’s social media team opened a new Instagram account and have been sharing a lot of information both there and on Facebook. In fact, just yesterday they shared an actual real photo of a finished room. It looks pretty darn good to me.
Hyatt Regency Bali Excitement
Few hotels have the loyal fanbase that the Bali Hyatt (Hyatt Regency Bali) has. After serving guests for four decades, the hotel closed 4 1/2 years ago for a 2 year renovation. While we still will have to wait awhile longer to see her open once again, the gardens are being maintained, the new room design looks very attractive and I am once again hopeful.
Have you ever stayed at the Bali Hyatt? Are you looking forward to its return or are you happy just staying at the Grand Hyatt located not far away?
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We went in 2013 and much preferred Sanur over Nusa Dua. We are going back next year and the booking is open and it looks like its category 1 for now. 2,500 + $50 are available
I saw that yesterday! Very exciting. I actually have a follow up post coming today. I’m shocked it is still a Category 1, but that makes it an incredible value.
one of my favorite hotels … we first stayed there back in the 1990s and fell in love with it and can’t wait to stay there again. it is mysterious why the opening date keeps getting pushed.
Have very fond memories of winter and spring breaks with my wife and two young sons as welcome respites from An expat assignment in Beijing between 1997 and 2001. While the kids loved the water slides at the Grand Hyatt we quickly evolved to staying at the Bali Hyatt and venturing to the Grand Hyatt only for afternoon water sliding
Can’t beat the 5k/night, hopefully it wouldn’t move up too high in category.
We have stayed there about a year before it closed. To me it was a great hotel! Especially the gardens and the location.
I was actually looking to stay at this one once it opens later this year. I am a globalist and I was planning and debating if I should go to Bali during summer break or winter break but ultimately it didn’t work out and I ended up going to Bali this summer (in 2 weeks) and booked few nights at Grand Hyatt Bali and then at the Viceroy Bali. if Bali lives up to the hype and if we decided to return, I will definitely chose this one.
Loved the Bali Hyatt and the Sanur neighborhood. In many ways, it kept alive Balinese traditions and reminded me of a Bali that has been lost in many other areas.
No longer category 1 I would imagine. Will you like new room at a high category better? Since I would be out more than in I’m not sure.
Which will win the race to open? Bali Hyatt or Coco Palm Kauai (slated to open late 2018, but after 20 years closed)?
The Coco Palm is an interesting story as well. My best guess is the hotel will be a category 2 or maybe a 3 when opening. The Grand Hyatt is a category 3. I absolutely think the property is world class when it comes to the gardens and charm. The rooms look very nice and I think compared to beach resorts elsewhere it will stack up, especially if it is only a 2, but even as a 3.