Beautifully nestled on the hill of Dago Pakar, this InterContinental Hotel has become the pride of Bandung for its green design and natural surroundings, along with facilities that cater to those seeking leisure, MICE and wedding destinations.
Photo by Ricky Adrian
Heading northwest of Bandung will take you to a pine forest and natural park popularly known as Dago Pakar. This is where your eyes will be feasted on the beauty of nature all around. Just right inside it, in the Dago Pakar Resort complex, the InterContinental Bandung Dago Pakar stands sumptuously and is ringed by breath-taking mountains and greenery.
As you enter the hotel’s driveway, you will notice the spacious outdoor space with modern exterior elements, including the presence of a big fountain in front of the lobby entrance. And as you step inside the lobby, you will be comforted by the warm atmosphere that boasts contemporary design with modern tropical style. The entire property itself uses glass as the primary building material.
“We use a lot of glass so our guests will be able to see the beautiful nature from all directions, whether you are in the lobby, in the room, in the restaurants, in the pool, or even in the ballroom. No less important is glass building can take energy to heat and cool. We’re talking about sustainability, which is one important element of a green building,” explains Pascal Caubo, the hotel’s general manager.
Pascal adds that “the hotel is built and designed to give the maximum exposure from all the different locations.”
While he tours us around the property, our eyes are also directed to the hotel’s outdoor infinity heated swimming pool surrounded by lush green space, Mountain View golf course, and magnificent panoramic views overlooking Bandung skyline. What a beautiful scenery for a rejuvenated mind!
The five-star hotel boasts 225 units, comprising different types of rooms that include Classic Room, Premium room, Premium room with golf view, Club InterContinental room, Club Panorama room; as well as 19 Kembang villas, Keraton suite and Presidential suite.
With the room size starting at 41 sqm, you can expect the internationally standardised facilities of a five-star hotel, from in-room private bar, satellite television to free internet access.
The glass window in each room also exposes to the outdoor green scenery. The day bed installed by the full glass window in the room is one worth mentioning. “You can just lay down there, enjoying the outdoor scenery to unwind your day,” Nike April, the hotel’s marketing communications manager, adds.
The hotel’s restaurants also boast breath-taking views of greenery. Damai restaurant at the lobby level, functions as a main dining venue, features outdoor seats that allow you to enjoy the mountain and city views. This is a great place to spoil your palate with varieties of western and Indonesian fares, including Sundanese dishes.
Going to the top of the building on the 18th floor is Tian Jing Lou. This sky view dining offers Chinese specialties with stunning views of Mountain View golf course and the city panorama.
While Aedas Interiors was responsible for designing the entire interior, the exterior work is credited to DCM Jakarta. Both consultants have done a great job indeed to reflect the natural context of the site, which features warm contemporary vernacular aesthetic that allows the visual experience with nature as the focus.
For leisure travellers, especially those staying with their families, the hotel provides a comfortable access to greenery attractions, including Keraton Cliff for its beautiful view point, Maribaya waterfall, Tangkuban Perahu Mount and Ciater hot spring water.
Also the highlight of the hotel is the Grand Ballroom, dubbed one of the largest in Bandung. “It can accommodate up to 4,000 guests indoors and 700 outdoors, and is equipped with the largest built-in LED screen in the country, hydraulic stage, and floating gondola mounted on the ballroom ceiling, great lighting and sound systems,” Pascal further explains.
The beautiful glass-walled hall covered in lavish white marble is truly an ideal setting for any gathering. Additionally, they have just opened The Diamond, the hotel’s first unique semi-outdoor multi-function venue with the glass chapel. “We basically house all types of gathering here, whether you look for a wedding party, family gathering, or a MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) event,” Pascal says concluding the interview.