The Royal Ambarrukmo is more than just a hotel—rather, it is a documentation of the the rich history leading up to its modern transformation. Bearing witness to the turn of the Mataram Kingdom right up to the Indonesian Republic we know today, the hotel was initially a venue reserved for royalty and foreign dignitaries.
Notable names the hotel has proudly hosted are Herman Willem Daendels, who served as Governor General of the Dutch East Indies; Pakubowono X, the beloved Surakarta King; the Kings of the Yogyakarta Sultanate; and the first-ever Indonesian president, President Soekarno.
During the reign of Hamengkubuwono II of the Yogyakarta Sultanate, the hotel was just a simple Joglo—a uniquely Javanese house with a tapered roof that signifies economic status, typically reserved for aristocrats. By the 5th Sultan’s reign, the space was eventually renovated and expanded. Development continued with every generation as did its value. It earned the moniker of Kedaton (house of the king) and became the official residence of Hamengkubuwono VII after his abdication in 1921.
Now as a cosmopolitan space with 5-star amenities and world-class services, the Royal Ambarrukmo invited us for a regal stay in one of Yogyakarta’s top hotels.
THE ROYAL AMBARRUKMO
Jl. Laksda Adisucipto No.81 Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 55281
Telephone: +62 274 488 488
Email: info@royalambarrukmo.com
Instagram: @RoyalAmbarrukmo
Facebook: @RoyalAmbarrukmoYogyakarta
Website: www.royalambarrukmo.com
THE TRIP OF WONDERS INDONESIA SERIES 2016
• INDONESIA: Experience the Wonders of Indonesia on your Next Trip in 2017!
• BANDUNG: Top Must-See Destinations at The Weekend Capital of Indonesia
• BOROBUDUR TEMPLE: Experiencing the Most Wonderful Sunrise in the World!
• SASAK TRIBE OF LOMBOK: How Ancient Traditions Still Endure in the 21st Century
• KOMODO NATIONAL PARK: On Dragons, Terrific Treks & Pink Beach!
• THE ROYAL AMBARRUKMO: Rubbing Elbows with Kings & Presidents through History
• ALILA SEMINYAK: Bali’s Prime Luxury Resort Destination!
When I entered the Royal Ambarrukmo for the first time, I thought it was just another hotel. Little did I know that this exquisite place had so much history.
On our last day in Jogja, the staff gave us a tour of the hotel’s most treasured art pieces, the royal residences, the museum, and even bid us good will with a traditional tea ceremony.
Darlene of Point and Shoot + Wanderlust poses by a royal guard in front of a relief called “Untung Rugi Di Lereng Merapi” (The Good Life and Bad Times at Merapi Volcano).
Fabricated in in the mid ‘60s by a team lead by Harijadi S, the well-maintained andesite rock and poured cement relief can be found right at the hotel lobby.
President Soekarno highly encouraged the arts during his administration and helped pave way to many more masterful creations by Indonesian artists.
The masterpiece shows the daily life of citizens at Merapi—from artisans, farmers, women, children, and soldiers. I was impressed by the incredible and sheer scale of the work. The relief itself stands at at 700×1,500 cm.
Yogyakarta Palace soldiers are colloquially called “Lombok Abang” (because of their uniforms), literal for Red Chili in Javanese. The more traditional term for them are “Wirobrojo” (taken from the Javanese words for brave and sharp).
“Hehidupan Masyarakat Jawa Tengah” (The Life of Central Java Community)—Lobby Floor
This expansive mosaic was pieced together by a team of more than 6 artists from 1965 to 1966. The work uses more than 15 colors with tiles imported from Jakarta and Japan.
“Kehidupan Masyarakat Yogyakarta” (The Life of Yogyakarta Society)—8th Floor
This unifying work is a colorful depiction of how Ambarrukmo Palace coalesces the cultures of Yogyakarta and Central Java.
What makes this piece spectacular is not only the scale of work, but the fact that it is multi-dimensional.
The poolside is shaded by an array of flower-bearing trees and surrounded by numerous life-sized sculptures.
Among my favorite sculptures, called Mother and Child by Keluarga Artja. All these pieces were commissioned by President Soekarno himself; no major changes in position or presentation has been changed over the years
The royal garden beside the pool is a wonderful place to take a morning walk or relax with the family at the gazebos.
We were welcomed into parts of the royal residences by staff in traditional dress.
Bale Kambang (Floating Hut)—Royal Residential Wing
This sacred hut is where the royal family could relax, meditate, and escape all worldly distractions.
Should you want to go up the sacred hut, don’t forget to remove your shoes as a sign of respect.
One of the things our tour guide noted was the royal family’s love of symmetry, which indicated their appreciation of harmony in all aspects of life. Walking here made me feel so at peace.
At the Gandhok Tengen Site (the ritual spa now referred to as Nurkadhatyan), guests are welcome to use the royal bathhouse originally made for the princesses and honorary guests.
The hand-carved bathtub is made of pure volcanic stone. It is said you can “absorb” the revitalizing energy of the volcano!
Ndalem Ageng
The Ngalem Ageng was previously the King’s quarters. Now considered a sacred site, the building is maintained as a mini museum full of the King’s oil paintings as well as Batik and Keris collections.
The Patehan (hi-tea ceremony) procession begins with the Abdi Dalem (royal servants) at the Pendopo Agung.
The Pendopo was erected by the 6th Sultan of Yogyakarta. Aside from the striking details on the pillars, this platform is made 3 steps higher than ground level—symbolic of the royal Family’s position in society.
It is also at the Pendopo where we ended our tour with the royal tea ceremony.
Staff prepares the tea and snacks for the Patehan.
The tea ceremony is one of the ways The Royal Ambarrukmo shows its gratitude to its guests.
MY ROOM AND OTHER FACILITIES
The Deluxe Room is good for two people, comes with a balcony, and a view overlooking the cityscape.
RATE FOR 2 NIGHTS:
IDR 1,865,702
Subject to change. Rate is excluding Breakfast. Free Wi-Fi. Free entrance to Fitness Centre, Swimming Pool & Sauna. Free to use Bicycle (booking in advance). Free entrance to The Heritage Kedaton Ambarrukmo Museum (guided by Staff)
For more room options, please visit www.royalambarrukmo.com.
Your stay at the Royal Ambarrukmo is incomplete without an evening treat! This set of desserts are apparently the King’s favorite: Manuk Enom (creme brulée-like treat made with fermented sticky rice) and Geplak Bantul (traditional Jogja treat made with shredded coconut and cane sugar).
Rooms come with complimentary wi-fi, which is quite fast.
At the lobby is a commercial center where you can buy silk and Batik gifts, book flights, and more.
At The Royal Ambarrukmo, there is no shortage of love and hospitality. Travelers will feel like royalty with the amount of care the staff puts into making sure your stay is comfortable.
I liked how the Ambarrukmo takes utmost pride in its history and roots. The tour inevitably made me appreciate the hotel’s smallest details to its largest monuments. Unlike most commercial accommodations, the Royal Ambarrukmo had such a homey ambiance appropriate to Jogja’s historic vibe. It doesn’t just feel like a relaxing stay in the city, but rather a home away from home.
THE ROYAL AMBARRUKMO
Jl. Laksda Adisucipto No.81 Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 55281
Telephone: +62 274 488 488
Email: info@royalambarrukmo.com
Instagram: @RoyalAmbarrukmo
Facebook: @RoyalAmbarrukmoYogyakarta
Website: www.royalambarrukmo.com
INDONESIA TRAVEL
Sapta Pesona Building, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No.17, Jakarta
Website: www.indonesia.travel
Facebook: Indonesia.Travel
Instagram: @indtravel
Twitter: @indtravel
THE TRIP OF WONDERS INDONESIA SERIES 2016
• INDONESIA: Experience the Wonders of Indonesia on your Next Trip in 2017!
• BANDUNG: Top Must-See Destinations at The Weekend Capital of Indonesia
• BOROBUDUR TEMPLE: Experiencing the Most Wonderful Sunrise in the World!
• SASAK TRIBE OF LOMBOK: How Ancient Traditions Still Endure in the 21st Century
• KOMODO NATIONAL PARK: On Dragons, Terrific Treks & Pink Beach!
• THE ROYAL AMBARRUKMO: Rubbing Elbows with Kings & Presidents through History
• ALILA SEMINYAK: Bali’s Prime Luxury Resort Destination!
Live an Awesome Life,
SHEILA of Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Travel and style bloggers from Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, and Malaysia were invited by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism in the second run of #TripofWonders. During the course of our adventure, we experienced various destination highlights in Bandung, Yogyakarta, Lombok, and Labuan Bajo. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Royal Ambarrukmo’s location is mere minutes away from various places of interest in the city. I recommend going to Jalan Malioboro if you want to buy real Batik and Indonesian trinkets.