The Best Hotels to Book in Lombok, Indonesia

Only a short speedboat ride away from Bali, the island of Lombok is home to The Oberoi Beach Resort, Lombok which stretches across the picturesque white-sand beaches and turquoise waters of Medana Bay, surrounded by 24 acres of coconut groves which gives guests the sense that they are staying on their own private island. On arrival guests can walk through the bright open-air lobby and see the 40-metre swimming pool with Oberoi’s signature adjacent reflective pools reaching out to the ocean and skyline beyond. Days can be spent around the glistening pool with discrete flags which guests can use so team members know when to serve you your next cocktail or leave you in peace to finish your book. To fully understand the magic of what makes The Oberoi Beach Resort, Lombok’s location unique, guests can explore the unspoilt coral gardens off the three Gili Islands, only a short 20-minute boat ride away. Home to one of the world’s premier diving regions where the world’s second largest patch of Blue Coral with its electric blue points stand out against unspoiled coral reefs, passing shoals of parrotfish, giant sea turtles, and underwater gardens teeming with colourful, vibrant marine life. The resort’s own onsite PADI dive centre with PADI qualified instructors from H2O Sportz offers fantastic diving and snorkelling expeditions to the beautiful home reef as well as the Gili Islands with its traditional outrigger and two motorboats.

Bright shades of fuchsia and rose cover the scene at PinkCoco Gili Trawangan, rendering the whole experience a decadent one. Set on Gili Trawangan, the most lively of the three Gilis, this hotel is close to all of the small island action and is trendy as can be. Prime sunset views along with postcard-like visions of distant Mount Agung make the perfect backdrop, and with a self-described ‘sexy atmosphere’, it’s definitely unique.

An impressively designed network of glass-walled pools and decorative waterways are just one part of what makes Katamaran one of the most iconic hotels in Lombok. With two plush seating areas, built right into the centre of the water, it’s the height of luxury. Located on the Mangsit beachfront, the property has 32 ocean view suites and 20 tropical pool villas. The open-air amphitheatre is usually occupied by the in-house band (yes, the hotel has a band) or a traditional performance.

Call a fully restored antique joglo (Javanese style house) your home for the night at Kuno Villas. Thoughtful touches, such as cast-iron bathtubs and bespoke furnishings, are easy on the eyes – not to mention photogenic. The pool is reminiscent of a lazy river, stretching long through low-hanging foliage and rock boulders that look like they were plucked right from the jungle. If you’re looking for an aesthetically pleasing stay, this is the place.

Cheerful and modern, Origin Lombok is a wellness-oriented hotel just east of Kuta, one of Lombok’s more popular areas among travellers. The grounds are equipped with a yoga shala surrounded by rice fields, a day spa with holistic treatments, and surf lessons to boot. Choose from multiple standalone rooms – each of them overlooking one of the two pools or the palm-shaded garden, offering plenty of space to kick back and hang out.

Arch-shaped lumbung roofs lend to a classic tropical getaway feel at the Pearl of Trawangan, a hotel with both private pool villas and quaint cottages on the island of Gili Trawangan. Two swimming pools – one with a cascading stone waterfall – are ideal for soaking up the sun with a fresh coconut in arm’s reach. Just steps away lies the beach, backed by crystal clear views of Lombok’s Rinjani mountain range when the sky is free of clouds.

As the name suggests, Trawangan Dive is one of the best hotels in Lombok for anyone looking to explore the island’s world-renowned marine life. Its award-winning dive centre offers PADI certifications from beginner through recreational instructor level. After you see the photos of manta rays around here, you’ll want to do it all. Rooms vary between economy, budget, and sea view – all fairly simple yet comfortable. You’ll likely spend most of the time underwater anyway.

The view of Lombok’s southern coast makes Selong Selo Resort and Residences unlike any other hotel on our list. Sitting on the mountainside above Selong Belanak Beach, this luxurious escape feels off-the-grid but spares nothing when it comes to indulgence. All of the two to seven bedroom villas come with their own kitchens, but you can also order hand-tossed pizzas via room service. Finish with an in-villa massage and call it a day.

Since many travellers opt for Lombok’s southern coast, the northwest shores are quite laid-back – and right where you’ll find Hotel Tugu. Like a museum of art, the hotel is filled with traditional Indonesian works, ranging from grand paintings to statues imported from countries such as Nepal, India and China. The rooms are no exception either. Intricate antiques fill the walls, complemented by deep blue plunge pools and outdoor ponds, shrouded in jewel-toned greenery.

Set on Lombok’s west coast, just north of Mataram City, the Jayakarta Lombok Hotel & Spa is well-suited for families and working professionals. On top of the giant pool that rubs shoulders with the beach, there’s also a spa, meeting rooms, and an on-site restaurant dishing up both Indonesian and western favourites. All rooms have a pleasant view, but the beachfront cottages are easily the best.