2 Bali Hotels Accused of Building Permit Violations

(10/9/2010)

According to the Bali Post, the head of the Bali Zoning Board (Dinas Cipta Karya – DCK), Luh Putu Desi Dharmayanti, has conducted an inspection tour of a number of hotels suspected of failing to adopt Balinese architectural accents, resulting in the issuance of two violation notices. The results of that survey found two hotes have failed to conform to their approved official building permits (IMB) requiring the inclusion of Balinese architectural and finishing accents in their final construction.

Explained Dharmayanti: "We've checked, among those hotels found in violation are the Hotel Santika on Jalan Dewi Sartika and the Hotel Stones on Jalan Raya Pantai Kuta. Of these two starred hotels, Hotel Santika has failed to adopt a Balinese architectural style."

The DCK official said the architectural drawings presented to obtain a building permit (IMB) for the Hotel Santika met building and stytle requirements and were issued without any problem. Unfortunately, the final building did not match the approved plans, particularly as applies to the roof line. As a result, the Hotel Santika has received a formal letter of reprimand issued by the DCK.

According to Dharmayanti: "Indeed, a part of the roof which contains a Balinese architectural accent has not yet been built. We have warned the management to make sure the building conforms to the IMB." She continued, saying such violations are common. Investors claim mitigation, insisting the roof line of the hotel must reflect branding and trademarks of the subject hotel.

In the case of The Stones Hotel, which has also come under the scrutiny of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD-Badung), Dharmayanti says this is an old building which is currently being renovated but the renovations lack the required Balinese architectural finishes.