It took us 3 years of living in Jakarta to finally visit Lombok. The first year, we mainly went to Bali because we thought that was easiest with small children, then we started exploring other places (Padang, Labuan Bajo) and finally Lombok, which is now our go-to place for a short beach holiday.
It takes the same time to fly to Lombok than Bali, but the airport is much smaller, which means getting out of it is much quicker. Accommodation is much cheaper than Bali and just as great, with everything from big resorts and luxury boutique hotels. We’ve stayed in quite a few places and here are our favorites picks:
The Holiday Resort Lombok
This is a very reasonably priced family-friendly hotel on Senggigi beach, about an hour from Lombok airport. A bit similar to what you’d find on Nusa Dua (Bali) but on a smaller scale.
The rooms are a little outdated but comfortable nonetheless and the hotel has everything we need for an easy holiday:
- connecting rooms, opening directly onto the swimming pool (just make sure you request it)
- a big garden to run around + a playground
- a big swimming pool (kids love being able to eat lunch INSIDE the pool at the bar)
- direct access to a quiet beach
- Other children to play with
The food is not great but we just walk to Qunci Villa whenever we want something nicer (5min). (especially on Monday evenings, when they have a local dance performance)
Book your stay directly by calling the Holiday Resort, they always have attractive rates.
Qunci Villa
This is a luxury boutique hotel located on the same beach as the Holiday Resort and if we were traveling as a couple or with younger children, we’d definitely stay here again.
It doesn’t work as well for us now as our kids are too big for us to stay in one standard villa (they have 2 bedroom villas and attractive KITAS rates) and although the hotel is located by the sea, the beach is very narrow.
What we like:
- The impeccable design and service
- The AMAZING food (Asian and Western)
Pearl Resort Gili Asahan
This hotel’s location is quite remote but the journey is worth it (2h30 by car from the airport + 20min by boat). The Pearl Resort is set on Gili Asahan, a small island on the south-eastern side of Lombok, with about 10 beachfront bungalows.
We stayed in the Villa with Garden and Sea View, which converts into a 2 bedroom villa (and actually has no sea view). We had an amazing stay, reminding us of our holidays at the Seraya in Labuan Bajo.
We love snorkeling and with small children, we’d rather avoid planning day-trips and lengthy boat rides. This was perfect for us, plenty to see right off the resort’s beach.
The food choices were limited so we looked forward to our daily italian dinner at Gili Asahan Ecolodge everyday (10-15min walk on the beach).
What we like:
- The feeling of being away from everything
- The simple but tasteful villa
- Great snorkeling just off the beach
- The stunning grounds and location
- Note: Wifi is terrible
What to pack? Check my packing list here
Next on our Lombok’s list is Sempiak Villa, which many friends recommended.