Billy Bagus
Aug 05, 2025
Long before Bali transformed into a world-renowned island of luxury resorts, yoga retreats, and bustling beach towns, there was just one hotel—built to host the first wave of foreign visitors. That hotel, known today as Inna Bali Heritage, opened its doors in 1927 and remains a living time capsule of Bali’s earliest days of tourism.
That hotel, known today as Inna Bali Heritage, opened its doors in 1927 and remains a living time capsule of Bali’s earliest days of tourism.
A Colonial Beginning
Originally named Bali Hotel, it was built by the Dutch-owned Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij (KPM), a shipping company that connected various parts of the Dutch East Indies. Located in central Denpasar on Jalan Veteran, the hotel was designed to host the ship crews and dignitaries traveling through Bali. When it opened, Bali was still relatively unknown to the outside world. The hotel was not just a place to sleep—it was the front line of introducing Bali to the West.
In 1928, just a year after its construction, the Dutch government handed over the hotel’s management to KPM, who expanded the facilities from just 12 rooms to 36. Amenities included a laundry building, staff quarters, water tanks, and even a dedicated stage for cultural performances. This expansion reflected the growing interest in Bali as a destination of exotic beauty and cultural richness.
A Gathering Place for World Leaders
Over the years, the hotel became a discreet but powerful backdrop to several historic moments and personalities. Charlie Chaplin visited with his brother Sydney in 1932, and the trip was even captured in grainy black-and-white footage. Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Queen Elizabeth are also listed among the hotel’s storied guests.
Perhaps the most meaningful patron was Indonesia’s first president, Ir. Soekarno, who frequently stayed in Room 77, a suite still preserved today. He was known to spend long evenings on the terrace, overlooking Veteran Street, sipping coffee and smoking cigars while pondering national ideas. That same room was later used for diplomatic events, including a notable visit from the President of the Philippines in 1952.
A Role in Nation-Building
The hotel’s significance goes beyond hospitality. In December 1946, it was the site of the Denpasar Conference, a historic political gathering that led to the formation of the State of East Indonesia. In that week-long meeting, leaders from 13 regions convened under the leadership of Van Mook to decide the political future of Eastern Indonesia. These walls have witnessed speeches, declarations, and ideas that shaped the nation.
From Bali Hotel to Inna Bali Heritage
After Indonesia’s independence, the government took over ownership of all Dutch properties, including Bali Hotel. In 1956, the property was transferred to PT Natour, a state-owned hospitality company, and renamed Natour Bali. Over time, the hotel underwent a series of upgrades—adding new rooms, a swimming pool, and eventually modern facilities like air conditioning and televisions.
In 1999, PT Natour merged with Hotel Indonesia International, forming PT Hotel Indonesia Natour (HIN). The hotel was rebranded again in 2001 as Inna Bali Hotel, and since 2017, it has proudly carried the name Inna Bali Heritage, reflecting its historical importance.
Recognized as a Cultural Heritage Site
In October 2019, the government of Denpasar officially declared the hotel a City-Level Cultural Heritage Site (Cagar Budaya Peringkat Kota Denpasar) under Mayor's Decree No. 1884.45/1092/HK/2019. This status ensures the preservation of the building’s architecture and its cultural significance, protected under Indonesia’s Cultural Heritage Law No. 11 of 2010.
A panel of cultural heritage experts evaluated the hotel based on its age, style, cultural meaning, and historical value. The hotel, now nearly a century old, met all the criteria. It continues to offer guests a unique experience and connection to the island’s early identity.
Where the Past Meets the Present
Today, Inna Bali Heritage Hotel remains fully operational, offering 76 rooms, a swimming pool, and several event spaces including the open-air Pendopo Mahapuri, often used for weddings and cultural events. While its facilities have been upgraded, the soul of the hotel remains intact. Guests can still walk the same halls where Soekarno once paced and dine in spaces where artists, politicians, and visionaries once gathered.
