Time Magazine has named House of Tugu Old Town Jakarta into their World’s Greatest Places 2026 list, becoming the only property from Indonesia to receive the recognition this year. The annual list highlights destinations around the world noted for their cultural significance, authenticity and contribution to global travel.
Founded in 1923, Time Magazine remains one of the most influential international publications, known for shaping global conversation through features such as Person of the Year and the Time 100 Most Influential People.
For the Tugu family, the recognition marks a milestone in a cultural mission that began decades ago. In the 1960s, founder Anhar Setjadibrata started collection artefacts during his travels across Indonesia. Concerned by the loss of heritage items and traditions, he sought to preserve them as part of a wider effort to safeguard the country’s cultural identity. Together with his wife, Wedya Julianti, that effort eventually grew into the Tugu Hotels & Restaurants Group, built around the idea that hospitality can also serve as a platform for protecting Indonesia’s cultural heritage.
The vision continues under Lucienne Anhar, co-owner of the group. She describes the project as an effort to preserve cultural narratives that might otherwise have been lost, with each space designed to reflect elements of Indonesia’s historical and social heritage. “We never set out to build a hotel empire. We set out to protect a civilisation. Each space in House of Tugu tells the story of Indonesian people whose voices could have been lost.” she reflects.
Time highlighted the property for its role in presenting Peranakan culture, which for many years received limited public visibility. Through its architecture, collections and storytelling approach, the hotel serves as a platform for sharing this heritage with a wider audience.
In addition to accommodation, the property features several dining and cultural venues, including Jajaghu, which draws on traditional Nusantara recipes, and Babah Koffie by Kawisari, inspired by one of Java’s oldest coffee estates. Further developments are planned, including the opening of De Tiger, a poolside venue with live music, and The Huang Museum, which will display artefacts from the group’s private collection.
House of Tugu Old Town Jakarta’s inclusion in Time’s 2026 list points to a wider shift in global tourism, as travellers look more closely at destinations shaped by culture and history. This recognition also draws attention to Indonesia’s position beyond leisure travel, emphasising the country’s depth as a place with strong and varied cultural heritage.
House of Tugu Old Town Jakarta
Jl. Kali Besar Barat No. 26, Jakarta
+62 8118711248
houseoftugu@tuguhotels.com
@houseoftugujakarta
tuguhotels.com
