Anantara Bali in rooftop showdown

DENPASAR – Bali Update (www.balidiscovery.com), has quoted reports in the local press, alleging the recently completed Anantara Resort at Seminyak has committed building violations.

Violations listed include building too close to the high-water mark in contradiction of setback rules; building a structure that does not conform to the approved building plans; building a structure that exceeds the 15m height restriction; failing to provide sufficient on premises parking; and violating of local sound ordinances.

NusaBali on August 30 reported local Regent A.A. Gde Agung has issued an absolute deadline to the owner of the resort to remove the top floor by September 30. If not, he would dispatch a judicial team from the regency to do the job.

A page-one story in BisnisBali tells of how the chief of Bali’s Tourism Office, Gede Nurjaya, became angry prior to a dinner hosted by the Anantara Resort to welcome Dayana Mendoza, the reigning Miss Universe.

According to the report, Nurjaya arrived at the resort to attend the August 24 reception on the property’s rooftop bar.

BisnisBali said that upon entering the hotel, Nurjaya dispatched members of his staff to seek an explanation from the management over several outstanding violations, reportedly raising his voice while proclaiming, “This hotel has violated the beach set-back and height limits rules. That is not good.”

Nurjaya told the press that if the hotels were merely allowed to violate the rules, Bali’s reputation as a world tourism destination would eventually be ruined.

He said that hotels and other tourism businesses could not be allowed to disregard exiting rules.

At the same time, Nurjaya suggested that official events held in Bali must refuse to use properties found to violate Bali’s regulations.

This is necessary, he insisted, to show appreciation to those companies that do follow the rules.

Anantara Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa was cited by the Bali government earlier this year for violating setback regulations from the high water mark and disregarding the 15m height limit.

Cipta Karya – the zoning and building authority for Bali, issued warning letters to the owners and operator of the hotel following an on-site inspection by a team of local officials.

Bali Update reported that in May this year the hotel told the local press that a resolution had been made with local officials and the top floor of the resort would be removed within 30 days.

The self-imposed deadline had come and gone with no renovation of the property’s top floor.