The Yak sits down with the new Director of PR and Marketing of the recently refurbished InterContinental Bali Resort, Jimbaran – Andry Kurnyawan. We wanted to know more about the man, the hotel’s 30th Anniversary, and of course their brunch!!
Greetings Andry, congratulations on the new post. Quite a pinnacle in your career!
Hello! Thank you. I am so blessed for the achievements I have made thus far in my career.
You and I have known each other for way over a decade, can you give me a quick history of your younger years.
Yes indeed, I have spent my childhood pretty much on this island, then spent some time in East Java, before I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture Engineering in Malang city. After that, I continued to develop my career back home in Bali.
You have worked with the best, can you give me a list of the ‘brands’ that you have worked for that have brought you to where you are today!
- The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Marcomm Executive
- The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Marcomm Manager
- Hotel Mulia Senayan, in Jakarta, Communications Manager
- Join Pre Opening The Mulia Bali, Communications Manager
- Running Boutique PR Agency called “Absolutions” handling numerous clients including Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) as Media coordinator for 3 consecutive years, Bali Safari & Marine Park, Padma Hotels, Grand Nikko and many more.
- Cluster Marcomm for Impiana Hotels,
- Cluster Marcomm for Sudamala Resorts overlooking Bali, Lombok and Labuan Bajo resorts,
- Cluster Public Relations for InterContinental Bali Resort and Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach
- Director of Marketing of Jeevawasa (Adiwana, Inara and Amatara Hotels & Resorts)
- Director of Marketing of Alila Seminyak
- Director of Public Relations and Marketing of InterContinental Bali Resort (Present)
What are the positives and the challenges in this, your new position?
Positive:
I am familiar with the brand, property, as well as the associates, as I was with the resort back in the period from 2019 until 2021.
Challenges:
Even though I was with the company before, it doesn’t mean there were no challenges at all.
During the pandemic, we had ups and downs. However, we were lucky that the owner/stakeholder fully understood the situation and made a thoughtful decision to upgrade the facilities, making them fresher. They also built a new facility, including the new Jimbaran Convention Center, which turned out to be one of the biggest on the island.
After the refurbishment was completed last year, now is the time to reintroduce the resort and reposition the brand within the market, with marketing playing an important role to achieve the goals.
Tell us a bit more about the resort. What stands out for you, as you have worked in many resorts previously.
InterContinental Bali Resort is still showing its charm and timeless appeal as the legendary five-star resort on the island. Its beachfront location with breathtaking sunsets, adjacency to the airport, lush landscape, and peerless design and services, all contribute to the perfection and complement the exceptional hospitality of the InterContinental Life experience.
What do you think surprises and impresses the guests?
Its landscape, sunsets and hospitality
Anniversaries are always joyous occasions – 30 years to be exact. What has the resort created for this momentous milestone? (I heard about some rather incredible refurbishments, but I gather it has been way more than that!)
We celebrated our 30-year milestone this year with a humble and low-key celebration with Balinese purification and blessing ceremony, as a gesture of appreciation from the entire InterContinental Bali Resort family, including stakeholders, management, and associates, for the unwavering achievements.
We are ready to run with a new spirit and energy, repositioning the resort as one of the best on the island and in the country, as it is possible.
Will there be any gigantic celebrations, or did we miss them?
No other celebrations this year.
What would you like to tell us about the culinary side of the resort. Who is your chef and how many outlets does the resort carry?
The resort offers an endless possibility of a culinary journey through our 5 dining outlets: Taman Gita (Breakfast venue), Bella Cucina (Mediterranean Restaurant), Jimbaran Gardens poolside restaurant (International and Indonesian specialties), Sunset Beach Bar & Grill (Cocktails and grilled cuisines), and The Club (Lounge with entertainment). These outlets are led by Chef Marco, our Director of Culinary, who looks after the entire restaurants, and Chef Romain Lefevre, who serves as the Chef de Cuisine.
The signature restaurant Bella Cucina. Tell us more.
Is an upscale dining restaurant with an open kitchen concept serving Mediterranean cuisine and a seasonal Italian menu prepared by Chef Romain and team.
The opulent indoor dining of Bella Cucina offers a perfect setting for dinner or a casual lunch. The fully air-conditioned restaurant is divided into four distinctive areas, accommodating up to 150 guests. The main dining area on the first floor can seat 72 guests, while the second-floor dining area fits 32 guests. For more privacy and exclusivity, there is the Surya Room, designed as a glass conservatory and a haven of sophisticated elegance, adorned with chandeliers and gorgeous cutlery. The lavish Surya Room accommodates up to ten guests and is perfect for a dinner meeting or family gathering. Additionally, Bella Cucina also offers an outdoor area with 14 plush seats next to the resort’s tropical garden for those who wish to dine in with a touch of sea breeze.
Moreover, Bella Cucina is also introducing an exciting concept for its upper-level area. The upper-level space can be transformed into an event venue for indoor and outdoor exclusive private dining events, featuring a personalized menu from the chef. This room can accommodate up to 32 people for intimate occasions, surrounded by an elegant and luxurious atmosphere in every corner of the upper-level area.
About Chef Romain:
Romain Lefevre graduated from Le Lycée de Bazeilles, a hospitality school in Bazeilles, France. His career began in 2005 when he worked as a sous chef at Groupe Belle Rives in the charming town of Juan-les-Pins on the French Riviera. Since then, he has done various stints at restaurants in France, including opening his own restaurant, Brasserie Le Cap, in 2010 in Bourg-en-Bresse. In 2021, Romain achieved his expert diploma in French Pastry from École Nationale Supérieur de Pâtisserie Française (ENSP) of Ducasse School in Yssingeaux.
Lastly, what do you think the newly refurbished InterContinental Bali Resort Jimbaran adds to the current Bali tourism landscape?
The new look of the resort gives a different impression, especially for certain markets that have a preferred type of accommodation they like to spend their holiday or organize their events in a fresh and new-looking property, particularly the Asian market. This makes the resort potentially able to cater to a wide audience and various segments.
Thank you for your time Andry and see you for one of those famous sunsets moments that the InterContinental Bali Resort, Jimbaran is so famous for!!
You’re most welcome. Looking forward to taking you to enjoy our finest sunset. See you around!
IG: @intercontinentalbaliresort
FB: InterContinental Bali Resort
www.intercontinental.com