Tugu Blitar Hotel Colonial Elegance Curated by Secret Retreats

Situated in the center of the peaceful East Javanese town of Blitar, Tugu Blitar is a charming old colonial mansion that has undergone several changes since it was first built as a family home in the 1850s. Now a luxury 19-room Java boutique hotel, the residence has been lovingly restored to its former glory with high ceilings, towering whitewashed pillars, splendid art-deco chandeliers, and furniture from the turn of the 19th century. Although every care has been taken to preserve the feel of a mansion from the era of the Dutch colonialists, Hotel Tugu Blitar has all the modern amenities one would expect from a luxury hotel. Each of the 10 air-conditioned Tugu Suites is a tasteful blend of whitewashed walls and warm tranquil colors creating a relaxing ambience and has a king-size four-poster bed and a separate semi-outdoor bathroom of old terrazzo tiles with an outdoor bathtub. The tasteful furniture and memorabilia in the rooms reflect the boutique hotel’s Javanese heritage that is celebrated throughout the building. There are eight Executive Rooms with a choice of king-size or twin beds, each with a separate bathroom and shower, most of which boast a gorgeous view of the well-tended tropical gardens at Tugu Blitar.

For those wishing to indulge in something special while staying at the Tugu Blitar, the Sang Fanjar Suite is the epitome of 1940s elegance. Once reserved for Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, the room is dominated by a magnificent emperor-size hand-carved bed, lounge, and en-suite bathrooms. A separate living area has been decorated with furniture, original photographs, and memorabilia that are a testament to the man who proclaimed independence for Indonesia from the Dutch imperialists in 1945. While this magnificent Java boutique hotel is conveniently located in the center of bustling Blitar, by the time you have entered the mansion via a tunnel created by a canopy of natural vines, the noisy, modern, outside world will already seem like a distant memory.

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Explore East Java’s Incredible History from Hotel Tugu Blitar

As one of the oldest residences in Indonesia, Hotel Tugu Blitar offers colonial elegance, history, and nostalgia. Formerly the home of one of the region’s most prestigious families during the Dutch colonial era, the property was converted into the Hotel Centrum after the Second World War, and later became the Hotel Sri Lestari and then the Tugu – Sri Lestari. Now the Hotel Tugu Blitar welcomes visitors seeking the romance and elegance of a time gone by. Still relatively undiscovered by Western tourists, the town of Blitar awaits those looking for an unspoiled East Javanese experience. The ancient and powerful Majapahit Kingdom is still in evidence for those staying at the Tugu Blitar and the Hindu temple ruins of Candi Penataran, a short drive from the hotel, boasts one of the largest collections of sculpted reliefs celebrating the life of Vishnu including depictions of the Sanskrit epic Ramayana.

The East Java countryside of richly verdant rice fields is just a short bicycle ride away from Hotel Tugu Blitar and the hotel team offers tailored excursions for those wishing to explore this part of the island including the not to be missed Pacuh National Park and Anak Kelud Volcano. Java is not known for its beach life but the beaches can be worth a visit, and Hotel Tugu Blitar are experts at organizing romantic beachside dining for guests. Tambakrejo beach is the largest and most popular with a charming fisherman’s village to explore, the white sands of Pehpulo beach offer a more secluded experience, and Pangi beach is another sandy beach where visitors can also enjoy an underground river adventure while exploring the nearby Embultuk cave. The hotel team at Blitar also organizes excursions to Kelud volcano, which was last active in 2014, offers further adventure and its lake filled crater is now easily accessible for families who fancy a picnic in incredible scenery, and the volcanic soils here are home to some wonderful coffee plantations. Penataran museum offers a more leisurely way to explore the history of the region with an impressive collection of artefacts from the Hindu era and a trip to Istana Gebang is a must for history buffs visiting Blitar keen on seeing the home of the late president Sukarno.

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Tugu Hotel Blitar – Where Tradition Meets Luxurious Living

Although there is plenty to see and do in this incredible still untouched part of Eastern Java, having the Tugu Hotel Blitar as a serene sanctuary to return to is an unforgettable experience in itself. The Colony Restaurant at the hotel is widely regarded as the best dining experience in town. Boasting many awards, visitors are offered a menu of traditional Indonesian, Chinese, and European cuisine. Experience traditional Javanese hospitality at Tugu Blitar in a Dutch colonial era dining room with its period furniture lit by candlelight beneath magnificent, whitewashed pillars. Guests are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and participate with a bit of traditional Indonesian cooking in a half-day culinary experience that includes a visit to the local market to choose fresh ingredients that they will then prepare beneath the ancient trees of the gardens of the Tugu Hotel in a setting inspired by the street-side food stalls of a Java of yesteryear.
For those preferring a spot of relaxation, the Lali Djiwa Spa at Tugu Blitar introduces guests to ancient Javanese spa therapies including natural herbs and spices and centuries-old healing techniques expertly administered by the Blitar Hotel’s trained therapists to achieve the perfect balance of mind, body and spirit. The two spa rooms are decorated with intricately carved Javanese furniture and one of the rooms even has an ancient tree growing through its roof! There is no better way to end the day than by gathering at Waroeng Jawa in the hotel grounds in the late afternoon where guests are encouraged to mingle while sampling a wide array of local teas, coffee, or herbal drinks while nibbling on traditional snacks and cakes by the light of Javanese oil lamps. The occasion is usually blessed by the presence of Mbah Man (Grandfather Man), who, now in his 80s, has been entertaining guests at Hotel Tugu Blitar with his irresistible smile and captivating stories since he first came to work here as a young lad.

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