Our founders, Blaise and Zohra, embarked on a life-changing journey to Bali with their three-month-old daughter, Balquisse. The island's charm, rich culture, and welcoming spirit left an indelible mark on their hearts. Two months after their arrival, in August 1995, they rented a traditional Balinese home, transforming it into a warm, welcoming space embodying Balinese hospitality. It was during this time that the idea for the hotel took shape.

Zohra's interior design talents soon expanded the traditional Balinese house into neighbouring homes, slowly taking shape into a hotel. Villa Balquisse had officially become a guest house with four charming rooms, each reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Bali. Guests loved Zohra’s designs, marking the beginning of her journey as an interior designer.

Blaise and Zohra, along with their friends, opened their first restaurant, Khaima, on Jalan Kayu Aya. This restaurant quickly became a favourite spot for locals and tourists, offering a unique blend of traditional and modern flavours. At that time, both Blaise and Zohra were already working as buyers for decor shops.

They had expanded Villa Balquisse to six rooms and introduced their restaurant, Asam Garam, along with their spa, Henna Spa. The spa offered traditional Balinese treatments, creating a serene sanctuary for guests, a project close to Zohra's heart, emphasising the importance of self-care rooted in Balinese culture.

They launched their first boutique, Haveli, specialising in linens under the Shahinaz Collection. The following year, Blaise began his collection of outdoor furniture, Hishem Furniture, establishing a factory in Java to ensure each piece was crafted with the highest quality and care.

During this period, they also operated small boutiques for decor, linens, and outdoor furniture. Zohra worked as a buyer and decorator, creating beautiful spaces that captured the essence of Bali, while Blaise managed furniture production in Java, overseeing more than 500 employees. These years were filled with hard and passionate work, leading to the beautiful and welcoming Balquisse Heritage Hotel that guests experience today. Naming the hotel was a tribute to their profound experience and their daughter, they named the hotel “Balquisse Heritage Hotel,” honouring their daughter and Indonesian heritage, a testament to their respect and love for Indonesia.

Blaise opened his Hishem Furniture boutique, showcasing unique designs blending modern aesthetics with traditional craftsmanship. That same year, they commenced the construction of The Shaba, a private residence reflecting their dreams and family homage, completed after 18 months.

Inspired by their continued growth, Zohra opened her first boutique, Balquisse Living, in 2006. This boutique offered a curated selection of home decor items, each piece telling its own story.

Marked the opening of their restaurant, Balique, a tranquil place providing a memorable and traditional dining experience of the Indonesian Archipelago. Chef Made, the first person to join their family in Bali, still works with them today, creating beautiful cuisine that fuses Indonesian heritage.

Two years later, in 2010, they inaugurated The Bistrot, a chic restaurant that quickly became a go-to spot for gourmet lovers, offering Indonesian fusion and classic Parisian brasserie dishes like Mie Goreng with Duck Confit.

Balquisse Living on Jalan Sunset had opened its doors, expanding its unique brand of hospitality and design.

In 2020, the jewellery brand Soaliah from Bali to Paris was created with Zohra’s daughter: A brand that marries the beauty of vintage charm with the timeless elegance. Founded by the passionate mother and daughters trio, their creations in matte gold bring a unique touch where each piece tells a love story, highlighting vintage piece jewellery.

In 2021, Yema Kitchen in Canggu was born; a paradise house offering a boutique-styled cafe and restaurant, serving wholesome food, bespoke coffee, freshly baked pastries, and more. Today it is renowned for its exquisite pastries that have become a staple in Bali.

The Shaba Shala took shape; nestled within the Balquisse Heritage Hotel, is a serene and sustainable holistic centre designed to nurture mind, body, and soul. Built entirely from recycled wood and surrounded by a lush lemongrass garden, this two-story sanctuary offers a variety of enriching activities such as yoga, meditation, art classes, and traditional Balinese rituals. With its open doors and windows seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces, The Shaba Shala embodies the perfect fusion of natural beauty and cultural heritage, providing guests with a unique and transformative experience.

The family is working on a new passionate project all together, all while continuing to venture in these beautiful projects together - Zohra, Blaise, Shahinaz, Balquisse, and Nicolas - Balquisse’s partner.

All of these businesses weave together and showcase each other in each venue - Balique's cuisine at the hotel, Hishem's Furniture in the outdoor areas, Zohra's antiques from Balquisse Living in every corner, linens from the Shahinaz Collection in each room, desserts from Yema Kitchen  in our hotel menu, and jewellery from Soaliah within the boutique. Each step of their journey, each new venture, is a testament to their love for Bali and their commitment to preserving and sharing its rich culture and heritage.