Tandjung Sari Sanur: Staying at Bali's First Boutique Hotel, Open Since 1962

In 1962, Wija Wawo-Runtu built a handful of bungalows on the Sanur beachfront as a place for his family to stay. Friends came, then friends of friends, and without anyone planning it the place turned into a hotel. Tandjung Sari is now described as one of Bali's first boutique hotels — and one of the earliest in Southeast Asia.

Heritage you can still sleep in

Instead of a glass tower, what stands here is a cluster of bungalows built like Balinese houses: paras stone walls, carved wooden doors, a kul-kul tower and old, dense gardens. The room count is deliberately small — roughly 26–30 bungalows, depending on the source — so the mood is closer to a private village than a resort. The design helped shape the “Bali look” that countless hotels later copied.

What you get

• Sanur beach right in front, linked to the coastal promenade that is perfect for a morning walk or a bike ride.
• An outdoor pool with a sun deck, a semi-open restaurant and bar facing the sea, and a spa.
• Air-conditioned bungalows with timber interiors, a terrace and a private garden, filled with the family's art and antiques.
• Historically, the hotel grounds have been used by children from the local banjar for dance practice, with periodic performances on the hotel stage. Schedules can change — ask when you book or check in.

Who it suits

This is not the place for anyone chasing glass, concrete and infinity pools. Tandjung Sari suits couples, design-history lovers and anyone who wants the older version of Bali: shaded, quiet, understated but still elegant. As a bonus, Sanur faces east — the sun rises out of the sea, something you rarely get on Bali's southern beaches.

Getting there

• About 30–45 minutes by car from I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport (roughly 15 km), depending on traffic.
• Sanur Port, the departure point for fast boats to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, is only some 5–10 minutes away.
• Restaurants, markets and shops along Jl. Danau Tamblingan are within walking distance.

Practical Info & Booking

• Location: View on Google Maps
• Hours: 24-hour reception; check-in is generally around 14.00 and check-out around 12.00.
• Prices: published rates usually start around IDR 2.5 million per night and rise sharply in high season; the restaurant and spa also welcome non-staying guests.
• Reservations: book your stay voucher through AccessiaPass, or contact the hotel directly; for July–August and the year-end period, book well ahead.
• Instagram: search on Instagram

Want to taste the 1962 version of Bali without blowing the budget? Check the AccessiaPass hotel vouchers before you lock in your dates.