The Birth of Segara Village Hotel

For tourism industry in Sanur, Segara Village Hotel has played a significant role in bringing the vibrant little village to the forefront. It began in the early 1950's when Mr. and Mrs. Kompiang scraped up everything they had and bought a large seaside property in Sanur, which was mostly covered with Pandanus trees and largely inhabited by coconut groves.

The Segara Beach Hotel, a 35-room hotel was erected there. It was the first of such establishment in that area. The Kompiangs also paved the way for locals to run their own international standard hotel. The couple formulated their own brand image and management through keen observation of what their guests want.

In a thriving tourist destination like Sanur, Segara Beach Hotel was quick to become a favorite to International visitors. Employees of companies like Shell and Caltex, Dutch workers from Bali and Java, and other visitors from Europe and United States were regulars to the hotel in its early days. Then as its popularity grew the hotel began enjoying visits from dignitaries the likes of foreign ambassadors, government officials from Jakarta and the family of former president Soekarno. The Kompiangs took every single one of them as their personal guests.

Some time in the 1960's, Mr. Kompiang had to relinquish his already successful business by a request from the late President Soekarno. The whole family then moved to Jakarta as Mr. Kompiang was to resume the position of the president director of Bali Beach Hotel.

He brought his family back to Bali in 1967 and began on rebuilding his hotel business. The new establishment is called Segara Village Hotel. It is situated right across his old hotel and consists of 10 bungalows. With years of experience in the industry, Mr. Kompiang based his last project on a breakthrough yet indigenous concept of village community of Sanur. It actually enhances the unique local quality that is the reason Sanur becomes what it is today.

The project immediately took off. It gained praises from the tourism industry. Yet the self taught entrepreneur did not stop there. He initiated a nightly soiree at his hotel where guests are entertained with live Balinese dances and music while enjoying a meal from a typical Balinese buffet, namely "Bali Night". It is now a fixture at fine hotels through out Bali.

Mr. and Mrs. Kompiang can look back to all the difficult years they have gone through and sit back to enjoy the fruits of their hard work. Now the Segara Village is a 5-hectare property consists of 117 bungalows equipped with international standard facilities. Segara Village comprises 5 distinct villages within the hotel complex, with their own wonderful architecture, modern yet stays true to the Balinese ambiance.

"It is very important for us, as proud Balinese, to maintain our true identity against the corrosion of our culture and values", says the fully retired Mr. Kompyang. He stands behind his philosophy and even more it is reflected on his pride and joy, Segara Village Hotel where the real Bali can still be found.