A Phinisi Journey Through Indonesia's Ancient Maritime Legacy

Bali, 19 February 2026 - The Apurva Kempinski Bali announces a new partnership with Indonesian yachting specialist Yacht Sourcing to introduce the Spice Route Voyage, a seven‑day journey that evokes the ancient spice trade. This curated voyage serves as the flagship programme of the resort’s 2026 brand campaign, Powerful Indonesia: Spice Route Legacy. Reservations are now open, with inaugural sailings commencing in April 2026.

REVIVING INDONESIA’S MARITIME HERITAGE
For more than over 4,500 years, Indonesia's islands were the world's most prized source of spices - cloves, nutmeg, pepper, and sandalwood - connecting the archipelago to civilisations spanning China, India, Arabia and Europe. The Nusantara spice route shaped empires, facilitated the exchange of faiths and ideas, and positioned Indonesia as the heart of global commerce. Today, this Nusa Dua Resort seeks to revive this legacy by weaving stories of the spice route into guest experiences. The journey offers travellers not only material luxury but also a meaningful narrative rooted in heritage and cultural depth.

Over five immersive days, guests board traditional wooden phinisi schooners and navigate waters that once mirrored ancient trade routes. Seasonal itineraries explore some of Indonesia's most storied and rarely visited destinations. Routes are carefully positioned to align with the spice-producing heartlands of the archipelago, including North Maluku - the legendary Clove Islands of Ternate and Tidore; the Banda Islands - once the world’s sole source of nutmeg; and the maritime kingdoms of South Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara. Following voyage, guests retreat for two nights to the Nusantara Presidential Villa at The Apurva Kempinski Bali - where the Spice Route Legacy continues on land through a curated suite of experiences for up to six guests, including: daily breakfast, luxury chauffeur service upon arrival and departure, a Majapahit Imperial Dinner crafted by the resort’s culinary team, an Afternoon Tea experience, a Spice Route-inspired cocktail session at L'Atelier by Cyril Kongo, and a restorative treatment at Apurva Spa.

THE PARTNERSHIP 
Spice Route Voyage is exclusively crafted through the longstanding partnership between The Apurva Kempinski Bali and Yacht Sourcing - a partnership grounded in the shared belief that luxury travel must honour the culture and communities from which it draws its meaning.

Founded in Bali in 2016, Yacht Sourcing established itself as Indonesia's leading marine leisure company through its commitment to preserving the nation's maritime heritage. Its fleet of handcrafted phinisi yachts - built by skilled Indonesian artisans - reflects a dedication to nurturing the next generation of Indonesian craftspeople, sailors, and storytellers. Guided by professionalism, discretion, sustainability, and deep, genuine respect for Indonesia's natural and cultural landscapes, Yacht Sourcing brings integrity to the water that The Apurva Kempinski Bali brings to the land.

“Spice Route Voyage with The Apurva Kempinski Bali is a partnership we are truly proud of, as it reflects what we deeply believe: that the most meaningful luxury is one that gives back to the land, the sea, and the people who make Indonesia extraordinary. At Yacht Sourcing, everything we do is dedicated to keeping that heritage alive - in the vessels we build, the crews we train, and the voyages we design,” stated Boem Senous, Founder and CEO of Yacht Sourcing.

This synergy between the two brands is well established. In 2024, the two brands co-hosted an exclusive Gala Dinner at Bali's Black Stone Yacht Club, where a Michelin-recognised chef from The Apurva Kempinski's Koral Restaurant curated a private menu for VIP guests - an evening that exemplified what both brands do best: turning heritage into an experience.

POWERFUL INDONESIA: SPICE ROUTE LEGACY 
This year, The Apurva Kempinski Bali marks seven years of redefining luxury hospitality in Indonesia. Since opening its doors, the resort has remained guided by a singular vision: to deliver world-class luxury rooted in the richness of Indonesian culture, arts, wellness, and gastronomy. Year after year, this five-star resort in Bali has forged its identity beyond a majestic hotel -  as a guardian of Indonesia’s narrative.

The Powerful Indonesia: Spice Route Legacy campaign is the year-long programme of cultural activations, curated guest experiences, gastronomic journeys, and artistic expressions that trace the enduring influence of the Spice Route. Spice Route Voyage represents its most ambitious: extending the story beyond the cliffs of Nusa Dua and onto the open sea.

The campaign also reflects the evolving expectations of today’s discerning luxury travellers. Industry research indicates that guests increasingly seek destinations offering cultural authenticity and immersive depth, beyond exceptional amenities alone. The Apurva Kempinski Bali aligns personalised guest experiences, refined luxury service and cultural integrity as complementary pillars of its philosophy.

Indonesia’s Spice Route is one of the great untold stories of world civilisation – a network of seas and islands that connected humanity long before the age of exploration. At The Apurva Kempinski Bali, our role extends beyond offering a beautiful place to stay. We serve as a living bridge between our guests and the profound legacy of this archipelago. The Spice Route Voyage, together with our trusted partner Yacht Sourcing, is precisely that – a journey as rare and meaningful as it is unforgettable. This is Indonesia, as it was always meant to be discovered,’ shared Vincent Guironnet, General Manager, The Apurva Kempinski Bali.

THE PROGRAM

Spice Route Voyage is structured as two individually bookable experiences. The Phinisi Experience - 5 Days at Sea with Yacht Sourcing Guests embark on a handcrafted Phinisi schooner for a five-day voyage through Indonesia’s spice-route archipelago. Routes are seasonally curated across North Maluku, the Banda Islands, South Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara.

The Apurva Kempinski Bali Experience - 2 Nights at the Nusantara Presidential Villa. Following the sea voyage, guests continue the journey on land with a two-night immersive stay for up to six guests, including:
●    Daily breakfast for six guests
●    Luxury chauffeur service upon arrival and departure
●    One Raja Mangsa Imperial Dinner - a curated feast tracing the flavours of the ancient spice trade
●    One Afternoon Tea experience
●    One Spice Route-Inspired Cocktail session at L'Atelier by Cyril Kongo
●    One treatment at Apurva Spa

Spice Route Voyage is available for booking now, with inaugural sailings commencing in April 2026. For enquiries and reservations, please contact: Wayan Widhiarsa | Director of Sales of The Apurva Kempinski Bali. Email: [email protected]

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About The Apurva Kempinski Bali
Perched on the dramatic clifftops of Nusa Dua, The Apurva Kempinski Bali is one of Indonesia's most iconic luxury resorts. Home to 475 Grand Deluxe, Suites, and Villas, the resort offers an unrivalled range of luxury accommodation set against the Indian Ocean backdrop. Drawing architectural inspiration from the grand terraced architecture of the Indonesian archipelago, every aspect of the property is a celebration of the nation's cultural depth: from its acclaimed arts and cultural programming and world-class gastronomic venues, to transformative wellness journeys, sustainable practices embedded into daily operations, and an experiential philosophy that turns Indonesia's living heritage into extraordinary guest moments. As part of Kempinski Hotels, The Apurva Kempinski Bali connects guests to a global network of exceptional properties while standing as one of Indonesia's most deeply rooted expressions of luxury hospitality. kempinski.com/bali

About Kempinski
Established in 1897, Kempinski Resorts is Europe’s oldest luxury resort group. Kempinski’s rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties. Kempinski now comprises a portfolio of 79 five-star resorts and residences in 34 countries and continues to add new properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Each one reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage. The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle resorts, outstanding resorts and prestigious residences. Each one imbues the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent resort brands. kempinski.com • kempinski.com/press • www.ghadiscovery.com

About Yacht Sourcing
Established in Bali in 2016, Yacht Sourcing is Indonesia's leading yachting company, offering bespoke charter services, yacht sales, and dealership representation for world-class marine brands. The company's fleet of handcrafted phinisi schooners celebrates the centuries-old shipbuilding traditions of Sulawesi, ensuring that Indonesia's maritime craftsmanship endures for generations to come. Guided by values of professionalism, discretion, sustainability, and deep respect for Indonesia's natural and cultural heritage, Yacht Sourcing is a trusted partner for brands that share its vision of meaningful, responsible luxury. https://yachtsourcing.com/

PRESS CONTACT
For all media and press enquiries, please contact

Charles Octoriano Seran, PR & Marketing Manager, 
+62 361 209 2288
[email protected]

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