The Story of Merusaka Nusa Dua

Our Journey: The Story of Merusaka Nusa Dua

 

The Merusaka Nusa Dua history is deeply intertwined with its profound name, a symbol of our core philosophy. In ancient Sanskrit, ‘Meru’ means ‘peak’ or ‘mountain’. This name reflects the majestic natural wealth of Indonesia, a country filled with volcanoes and mountains. In Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain cosmology, ‘Meru’ is even more significant, denoting the sacred ‘Center of the Universe’ and the abode of the Gods.

Drawing from this, the name Merusaka was chosen to symbolize the ‘first Nirvana’—a majestic and monumental dream destination. It represents purity, sacredness, and values that are both uniquely Balinese and universally understood. This guiding philosophy shapes our identity as a 5-star beachfront sanctuary within Bali’s exclusive ITDC complex, managed by Hotel Indonesia Group (HIG). Our story is one of continuous transformation, and we invite you to discover this journey.

The Early Chapters: From Bali Nusa Dua Hotel to Inna Putri Bali

Initially, our journey began in 1983 with the construction of the Bali Nusa Dua Hotel . Then, on December 2, 1985, former Indonesian President, Mr. Soeharto, officially inaugurated the hotel . To establish a unique identity within the ITDC area, the hotel adopted the new name Putri Bali Hotel in 1988 . Subsequently, following a corporate merger on October 13, 1999, our parent company became PT Hotel Indonesia Natour . As a result, we embraced the name Inna Putri Bali on March 19, 2001 .

Our next chapter involved a significant and complete transformation. Specifically, in 2012, the hotel was fully demolished to make way for a brand-new resort with completely new buildings . This ambitious two-year rebuilding project was directed by the then Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Mr. Dahlan Iskan . Eventually, this reborn sanctuary welcomed its first guests as INAYA Putri Bali in December 2014 . The official grand opening then followed on November 11, 2016, officiated by Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Ibu Rini M. Soemarno .

A Transformation: Reimagined as INAYA Putri Bali

A bold vision for the future led to a complete transformation in 2012. Under the direction of the then Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Mr. Dahlan Iskan, the existing Inna Putri Bali was entirely demolished to make way for a brand-new resort . This ambitious two-year rebuilding project culminated in entirely new structures, designed to offer an elevated and contemporary Balinese experience .

In December 2014, the newly rebuilt resort welcomed its first guests as INAYA Putri Bali . The official grand opening ceremony for INAYA Putri Bali took place on November 11, 2016, graced by the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Ibu Rini M. Soemarno , marking a new era of refined hospitality.

Becoming Merusaka: A New Era of Balinese-Inspired Hospitality 

Our most recent evolution occurred on April 8, 2021 . At this time, as part of a national initiative led by Minister Erick Thohir, we officially rebranded from INAYA Putri Bali to MERUSAKA Nusa Dua . This change also shifted the hotel’s ownership to WIKA Realty (under its branch HIPro) . Ultimately, this marked a renewed approach to our beachfront sanctuary, emphasizing a unique blend of modern craftsmanship and immersive cultural experiences .

A couple enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner on a beach in Bali during their honeymoon itinerary.

Our Enduring Philosophy: Nirvana, Culture, and the Five Senses

Throughout our transformations, our core inspiration remains constant. In Sanskrit, the name Merusaka is a compound word that beautifully evokes the concept of a “palace in a forest.” It is derived from two distinct words:

  • Meru (मेरु): In Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, Mount Meru is a sacred, mythical five-peaked mountain of the gods. It is considered the center of all physical, metaphysical, and spiritual universes. In this context, “Meru” signifies a sacred, divine abode or a peak.
  • Saka (शाक): This word can have several meanings in Sanskrit, but in this combination, it refers to a forest or a verdant, wooded area.

Therefore, when combined, Merusaka poetically translates to a sacred dwelling or a palace nestled within a forest or we intrepret this as “The First Nirvana”. This name was chosen for the Merusaka resort in Nusa Dua, Bali, to reflect its design as a sanctuary that harmonizes with its natural, green surroundings, much like a modern interpretation of a traditional Balinese village. The name encapsulates the spirit of the resort, which aims to provide a culturally rich and immersive experience connected to both the divine (Meru) and nature (Saka).

The Journey to Enlightenment

The concept of “The First Nirvana” is built by layering philosophical ideas from Hindu and Buddhist traditions onto the literal meaning of the words:

  1. The Goal (Nirvana): In Sanskrit, Nirvana (निर्वाण) represents the ultimate state of liberation, profound peace, and enlightenment. It is the extinguishing of suffering and the cycle of rebirth. It is the final, ultimate goal of a spiritual journey.
  2. The Path (Meru): As we know, Meru is the sacred, cosmic mountain—the abode of the gods. In a symbolic sense, the journey to the peak of Mount Meru represents the arduous spiritual path one must take to achieve enlightenment or Nirvana. Reaching the top is a metaphor for attaining that divine state.
  3. The Setting (Saka): The Saka, or forest, traditionally represents a place of retreat, tranquility, and introspection. It is where one escapes the distractions and attachments of the material world to meditate and begin a spiritual journey. A forest is the ideal environment to start the path toward peace and self-discovery.

Bringing It All Together: Merusaka as “The First Nirvana”

By combining these concepts, the name Merusaka transforms from a physical description into a brand philosophy:

The resort positions itself as the ideal setting (Saka) where one can begin the journey (Meru) toward ultimate peace (Nirvana).

It is not claiming to be Nirvana itself, but rather the first step or the initial stage of that experience. By staying at Merusaka, surrounded by tranquility and nature-inspired design, a guest is invited to disconnect from the chaos of daily life and experience a taste of profound well-being and serenity—the very beginning of a state like Nirvana.

The Pancamaya Concept

To make this experiential promise tangible, the Merusaka brand is built around the ancient Hindu concept of Pancamaya (or Pancha Maya Kosha). This philosophy describes the five sheaths or layers that conceal the true Self (Atman):

  1. Annamaya Kosha (Physical Sheath)
  2. Pranamaya Kosha (Energy Sheath)
  3. Manomaya Kosha (Mental Sheath)
  4. Vijnanamaya Kosha (Wisdom Sheath)
  5. Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Sheath)

The resort’s design, village-like layout, and wellness programs are crafted to guide guests through an experience that nurtures all five of these layers, leading them from physical well-being toward a state of inner bliss. This structured journey is how Merusaka aims to deliver on its promise of being “The First Nirvana”—a sanctuary where the path to inner peace begins.

The Merusaka Story Continues with You

The Merusaka Nusa Dua history is not just a record of the past but a foundation for our future. We believe every guest becomes a part of our evolving story. We invite you to explore Merusaka Nusa Dua further. Discover our exclusive accommodations and our diverse culinary experiences.

We look forward to welcoming you and helping you create your own cherished Bali memories.

Our Journey: The Story of Merusaka Nusa Dua

 

The Merusaka Nusa Dua history is deeply intertwined with its profound name, a symbol of our core philosophy. In ancient Sanskrit, ‘Meru’ means ‘peak’ or ‘mountain’. This name reflects the majestic natural wealth of Indonesia, a country filled with volcanoes and mountains. In Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain cosmology, ‘Meru’ is even more significant, denoting the sacred ‘Center of the Universe’ and the abode of the Gods.

Drawing from this, the name Merusaka was chosen to symbolize the ‘first Nirvana’—a majestic and monumental dream destination. It represents purity, sacredness, and values that are both uniquely Balinese and universally understood. This guiding philosophy shapes our identity as a 5-star beachfront sanctuary within Bali’s exclusive ITDC complex, managed by Hotel Indonesia Group (HIG). Our story is one of continuous transformation, and we invite you to discover this journey.

The Early Chapters: From Bali Nusa Dua Hotel to Inna Putri Bali

Initially, our journey began in 1983 with the construction of the Bali Nusa Dua Hotel . Then, on December 2, 1985, former Indonesian President, Mr. Soeharto, officially inaugurated the hotel . To establish a unique identity within the ITDC area, the hotel adopted the new name Putri Bali Hotel in 1988 . Subsequently, following a corporate merger on October 13, 1999, our parent company became PT Hotel Indonesia Natour . As a result, we embraced the name Inna Putri Bali on March 19, 2001 .

Our next chapter involved a significant and complete transformation. Specifically, in 2012, the hotel was fully demolished to make way for a brand-new resort with completely new buildings . This ambitious two-year rebuilding project was directed by the then Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Mr. Dahlan Iskan . Eventually, this reborn sanctuary welcomed its first guests as INAYA Putri Bali in December 2014 . The official grand opening then followed on November 11, 2016, officiated by Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Ibu Rini M. Soemarno .

A Transformation: Reimagined as INAYA Putri Bali

A bold vision for the future led to a complete transformation in 2012. Under the direction of the then Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Mr. Dahlan Iskan, the existing Inna Putri Bali was entirely demolished to make way for a brand-new resort . This ambitious two-year rebuilding project culminated in entirely new structures, designed to offer an elevated and contemporary Balinese experience .

In December 2014, the newly rebuilt resort welcomed its first guests as INAYA Putri Bali . The official grand opening ceremony for INAYA Putri Bali took place on November 11, 2016, graced by the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Ibu Rini M. Soemarno , marking a new era of refined hospitality.

Becoming Merusaka: A New Era of Balinese-Inspired Hospitality 

Our most recent evolution occurred on April 8, 2021 . At this time, as part of a national initiative led by Minister Erick Thohir, we officially rebranded from INAYA Putri Bali to MERUSAKA Nusa Dua . This change also shifted the hotel’s ownership to WIKA Realty (under its branch HIPro) . Ultimately, this marked a renewed approach to our beachfront sanctuary, emphasizing a unique blend of modern craftsmanship and immersive cultural experiences .

A couple enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner on a beach in Bali during their honeymoon itinerary.

Our Enduring Philosophy: Nirvana, Culture, and the Five Senses

Throughout our transformations, our core inspiration remains constant. In Sanskrit, the name Merusaka is a compound word that beautifully evokes the concept of a “palace in a forest.” It is derived from two distinct words:

  • Meru (मेरु): In Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, Mount Meru is a sacred, mythical five-peaked mountain of the gods. It is considered the center of all physical, metaphysical, and spiritual universes. In this context, “Meru” signifies a sacred, divine abode or a peak.
  • Saka (शाक): This word can have several meanings in Sanskrit, but in this combination, it refers to a forest or a verdant, wooded area.

Therefore, when combined, Merusaka poetically translates to a sacred dwelling or a palace nestled within a forest or we intrepret this as “The First Nirvana”. This name was chosen for the Merusaka resort in Nusa Dua, Bali, to reflect its design as a sanctuary that harmonizes with its natural, green surroundings, much like a modern interpretation of a traditional Balinese village. The name encapsulates the spirit of the resort, which aims to provide a culturally rich and immersive experience connected to both the divine (Meru) and nature (Saka).

The Journey to Enlightenment

The concept of “The First Nirvana” is built by layering philosophical ideas from Hindu and Buddhist traditions onto the literal meaning of the words:

  1. The Goal (Nirvana): In Sanskrit, Nirvana (निर्वाण) represents the ultimate state of liberation, profound peace, and enlightenment. It is the extinguishing of suffering and the cycle of rebirth. It is the final, ultimate goal of a spiritual journey.
  2. The Path (Meru): As we know, Meru is the sacred, cosmic mountain—the abode of the gods. In a symbolic sense, the journey to the peak of Mount Meru represents the arduous spiritual path one must take to achieve enlightenment or Nirvana. Reaching the top is a metaphor for attaining that divine state.
  3. The Setting (Saka): The Saka, or forest, traditionally represents a place of retreat, tranquility, and introspection. It is where one escapes the distractions and attachments of the material world to meditate and begin a spiritual journey. A forest is the ideal environment to start the path toward peace and self-discovery.

Bringing It All Together: Merusaka as “The First Nirvana”

By combining these concepts, the name Merusaka transforms from a physical description into a brand philosophy:

The resort positions itself as the ideal setting (Saka) where one can begin the journey (Meru) toward ultimate peace (Nirvana).

It is not claiming to be Nirvana itself, but rather the first step or the initial stage of that experience. By staying at Merusaka, surrounded by tranquility and nature-inspired design, a guest is invited to disconnect from the chaos of daily life and experience a taste of profound well-being and serenity—the very beginning of a state like Nirvana.

The Pancamaya Concept

To make this experiential promise tangible, the Merusaka brand is built around the ancient Hindu concept of Pancamaya (or Pancha Maya Kosha). This philosophy describes the five sheaths or layers that conceal the true Self (Atman):

  1. Annamaya Kosha (Physical Sheath)
  2. Pranamaya Kosha (Energy Sheath)
  3. Manomaya Kosha (Mental Sheath)
  4. Vijnanamaya Kosha (Wisdom Sheath)
  5. Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Sheath)

The resort’s design, village-like layout, and wellness programs are crafted to guide guests through an experience that nurtures all five of these layers, leading them from physical well-being toward a state of inner bliss. This structured journey is how Merusaka aims to deliver on its promise of being “The First Nirvana”—a sanctuary where the path to inner peace begins.

The Merusaka Story Continues with You

The Merusaka Nusa Dua history is not just a record of the past but a foundation for our future. We believe every guest becomes a part of our evolving story. We invite you to explore Merusaka Nusa Dua further. Discover our exclusive accommodations and our diverse culinary experiences.

We look forward to welcoming you and helping you create your own cherished Bali memories.