In 2014, the APAC office of MGM Hospitality (MGMH) pursued an opportunity for a large integrated resort development in Bali. A Jakarta-based owner had recently taken possession of an existing 300+ room hotel and 18-hole golf course and significant additional land, on a dramatic site on the west coast of Bali. The owner expressed interest in bringing in a new hotel operator that could support the redevelopment of the site with upgraded and additional facilities.

MGMH was able to offer the owner the ability to develop 2 hotel brands and associated branded residences. The hotel company’s strength in both the related MICE and Entertainment elements created additional interest, such that the Owner asked MGMH to prepare and present a Master Plan that would outline a vision for redevelopment.

Miller brought on an Australia-based architect, PMD, with extensive related experience, and worked together on the Master Plan. For the foundation, Miller worked with MGMH associates from Operations to develop a high-level Area Program, defining Room counts, sizes and mixes for two hotel brands - an ultra-luxury all-suite property, and a larger (by key count) more family-oriented, active hotel. This included basic concepts of the mix of centralized and decentralized support facilities.

PMD and Miller did extensive touring of the property to determine how to retain the best aspects of the existing golf course in the new development, as well as what physical elements of the site (undulating topography, dramatic coastal outlooks, long views through the site to the sea), could be best exploited. In the development of the Master Plan, Miller and PMD integrated the Entertainment elements, key to the brand, in new and different ways. A complete self-sufficient Wellness centre was planned. All of this then supported a unique way to tie it all together with a “Village Street” of F&B and Retail.

The Owner was very excited with the presentation; however business discussion failed to reach agreement, and the project was not pursued with MGMH.