‘Hotel Oranje’ as the Majapahit was originally called, was constructed in 1910 during the Dutch occupation of East Java. The Sarkies brothers, who were Iranian born hoteliers, built the Hotel Oranje, adding yet another luxury property to their South East Asian hospitality empire.

The entire project cost about $5 million dollars converted into todays currency, which is a steal of a deal considering how massive the grounds are.

Throughout the entire 20th century the hotel was expanded, renovated, occupied, sold, bought, and renamed many times. Expansions were made in the 20’s and 30’s with a new Art Deco flare that brought in celebrities and royalty from across the world, including Charlie Chaplin. In the 40’s the Japanese occupied Surabaya, renamed the building ‘Hotel Yamato’, and used it as their headquarters. In 45’, just after the war ended and the Japanese fled, the hotel was renamed once again to ‘Hotel Merdeka’, meaning ‘independence’. The Indonesian people of East Java didn’t want the Dutch rulers gaining back control after the Japanese occupation. They tore down the dutch flag and erected their own red and white flag, taking back control of the hotel. Throughout the 50’s until modern day, the hotel went through Dutch and Indonesian ownership, renovations, and was eventually made a National Landmark of Indonesia as the ‘Hotel Majapahit’.

The Majapahit Hotel is now an award winning destination resort managed by Accor Hotels, and will always remain an important part of Java’s rich history.