Imminent Closure of Iconic Balinese Course

Bali, Indonesia: Nirwana Bali Golf Club, one of Asia’s most iconic courses, is to close its doors.

A news release said following a decision by the owning company, PT MNC Land Tbk, to redevelop the site on which Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort is built, the property will cease operations and close on July 31.

Pan Pacific Hotels Group has managed Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort since April 2010.

Designed by Australian Greg Norman, the award-winning golf course is beautifully set along the dramatic coastline among manicured gardens and traditional Balinese rice paddies.

Described as the jewel of the Indian Ocean, the course included five ocean-side holes, three cliff-to-cliff tee shots and eight holes sculpted into the terraced rice fields. The signature par-three seventh hole overlooks the famous Tanah Lot temple.

Set in the tranquil village of Tabanan, this secluded luxury golf resort in West Bali is 22 kilometres from Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Speculation is rife that the existing course will be replaced by an entirely new layout sculpted by American Phil Mickelson. No time frame has been mentioned as to when it may open for play.

Over the past seven years, the Pan Pacific Hotels Group has provided management and technical expertise to the resort, leading it to achieve operational efficiency, financial success as well as significant industry and consumer recognition.

Notably, the Group oversaw Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort’s US$10 million refurbishment of its guest rooms, restaurants and facilities in 2011, successfully strengthening the property’s positioning within Bali’s highly competitive hospitality market.

Since then, the resort has been a three-time winner of the title of ‘Indonesia’s Leading Golf Resort’ at the World Travel Awards, and was named ‘Global Winner, Luxury Golf Resort’ for two years running at the World Luxury Hotel Awards.

Pan Pacific Hotels Group will continue to be represented in Indonesia with the Sari Pan Pacific Jakarta.

Indonesia continues to be a target growth market for the Group, which is actively pursuing development opportunities for both its ‘Pan Pacific’ and PARKROYAL brands in key gateway cities and resort destinations across Asia-Pacific.

“Pan Pacific Hotels Group is proud to have steered Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort to mark several considerable achievements over a short span of seven years, and this is a reaffirmation of the Group’s strong hotel management track record,” said Erik Anderouard, Senior Vice President Operations, Pan Pacific Hotels Group.

“We have enjoyed a mutually rewarding partnership with PT MNC Land Tbk and wish them every success for the future.

“Moving forward, we will be looking to capitalise on our extensive network of business contacts and brand equity to introduce more award-winning ‘Pan Pacific’ and PARKROYAL properties to our customers in Indonesia.”

The Group currently has four pipeline projects in China, Myanmar, Malaysia and the United Kingdom which are scheduled to launch over the next three years, starting with Pan Pacific Beijing in the second quarter of 2017.