Flamboyant Sanur

The Tandjung Sari is arguably Bali's original hotel, and perhaps the first boutique hotel in Asia. Initially the home of Dutch-Indonesian artist, Wija Wawo-Runtu, the home later became a hotel and local hotspot in the island and soon attracted the likes of various Beatles, David Bowie, and a certain legendary hotelier by the name of Adrian Zecha. The hotel's storied past lives on as a small and quaint beachside hotel in the East-coast village of Sanur. 

This was initially a one night stay just to have easy access to a covid test before flying back to Jakarta, but was soon extended to a two night stay, and then another four more nights in Bali at Amandari. We booked an offer that includes breakfast and afternoon tea. We booked a Village Bungalow and received one as such.

Additionally, please accept my apologies for publishing this review before Amankila, I ensure that that review will be up soon! As always, thank you for reading and for your kind comments!

We arrived at Tandjung Sari from Amankila at around 13.30. Upon arrival, the kind receptionist sounded a Gong three times to denote an arrival of a guest - great intent although a bit too much for my liking.

Our check-in was quickly processed and we were soon taken to our room with our luggage pushed with a vintage style trolley. The ground of the hotel is very well keep and has a very quaint vibe. 

Tandjung Sari's beautiful lobby and gardens

We arrived in our room, a village bungalow with an outdoor gazebo. To put it mildly, the room was incredibly retro. I've not seen a place like this before, not at Raffles Singapore, or the historic Hotel Majapahit in neighbouring Surabaya. I say this with the best intentions, and I am frankly very fond of the rustic ambiance of the room. From the 'tegel' tiled floors to the antique rattan chairs, everything looked absolutely retro. Like Amankila, there isn't an in-room television, which really adds to the ambiance.

Apart from the air-conditioner, the room looked like it was straight out of the 60s, and if it weren't for my mobile phone, I would have thought that I was indeed in the 60s. Very nice.

The entire bungalow was very well kept and very clean, and we were welcomed with a nice fruitplate on the table.

Bed and Dining Table

Bed and Dining Table

Room from Sofa

Sofa

Desk

Bathroom

Sink

Oversized Bathtub

Bathtub

Shower Necessities

Frog Soap Holder

Courtyard/Outdoor Shower

Our Outdoor Gazebo

Room with Mosquito Net/Bed Canopy

Bungalow from Outside

Service is very warm and home like. Like what an Aman hotel was meant to be, everyone appeared to know who we were and where we're staying, as no one ever asked us about our room numbers or name. Although, we had to sign things when charging our meals to the room (which makes sense given the amount of non-hotel guests dining in the premises). Apart from the gong sounding, all our interactions with the staff was very family like and everyone were very courteous. I won't single out any names because everyone was exceptional. 

Likewise, the staff must have kept track of our movements because when we came back an hour after heading out for breakfast or dinner, our bungalow had been cleaned and turned down, respectively. This is very well done on their part. 

One time we left our afternoon tea snacks thinking that their advertised afternoon tea was literally drinks in the afternoon. When we returned at dinner, we received a call saying that we left our snacks and they had kept it for us and shortly delivered it to our room. Again, exceptional service. 

Food tasted very home made, and was of very high quality. The breakfast menu was a la carte, and the food was very good. We tried a few things, among them the classic Eggs Florentine, Nasi Kuning (Yellow Rice), and Avocado and Eggs Toast. 

Wonderful Fruit Plate

Eggs Florentine on Sour Dough with Ratatouille and Spinach on the side

Indonesian Nasi Kuning - yum!

Croissant

Avocado and Poached Eggs on Sour Dough Toast 

The complimentary afternoon tea snacks likewise was very nice and high quality.

Excellent Afternoon Tea Selection

Excellent Afternoon Tea Selection

During the evening there is a small 'marketplace' set up at the beachside that the hotel calls "Jajan Sore" which turned out to mean afternoon snack. It was a very quaint set-up and exactly how I'd imagine a small neighbourhood street in 60s Indonesia. It was a lovely set-up and just felt very cozy. The food again is of excellent quality and is very good.

Jajan Sore Set Up

Restaurant and Bar

Evening Set-up

Mixed Satay, and Crisps

Pizza Margaretha

Tandjung Sari is located in the northern part of Sanur Beach, near Sindhu Beach and is placed in a row of historic hotels (of which arguably Tandjung Sari is probably best) - including the old Bali Beach Complex and the Segara Village Hotel.

There is a local market 10 minutes away and during the weekends the beach is crowded with pop-up bazaars and food markets. Overall a very lively neighbourhood, although not the party kind. 

Swimming Pool and Restaurant Area

Hotel gardens

Overall, the old Tandjung Sari is an excellent boutique hotel and I would not hesitate to recommend it, particularly to those who are entertained by history. The hotel is by no means modern, but it has a wonderfully quaint setting and exudes a family-like warmth that other, larger hotels lack. 

The only reason to avoid Tandjung Sari is if one needs an exceedingly modern facility, or does not like being in Sanur. Otherwise, it is a near perfect hotel.