The editor of Indonesia Expat recently had the chance to spend three days and two nights at Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas. This is his review of the resort.
It was a Monday, late afternoon. The sun was slowly setting, caving in amid the descending silver clouds. As I was enjoying a sweet me-time reading a murder mystery novel on one of the beach’s sun loungers, a fascinating scene simultaneously unfolded. A few metres nearby, several lively guests—a colourful mix of expatriates and Indonesians—were having such palpable fun playing volleyball. Their joy, admittedly, was infectious. Each smash and block was followed by cheers and giggles, with the sound of the sea’s longitudinal waves serving as the soothing background music. When all these positive ions were put together, the word “joy” felt like an understatement.
That moment alone was potent enough to illustrate the magic of Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas. Being one of the first resorts that descended upon the virgin pearl known as Lombok Island, this resort has not lost any of its sparkle in the eyes of both domestic travellers and foreign vacationers. That sparkle, as I have come to witness and experience during my stay at Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas, does not come from clichéd decadence. Instead, as embodied by that heartwarming moment, this resort’s sparkle comes from the power of shared, authentic bliss. And isn’t that what a tropical getaway is supposed to be all about?
Green and breezy
The commute to Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas alone had already made me excited to see firsthand how this resort would blow my mind.
I must admit—after checking on Google Maps, the reported distance between Lombok International Airport and this resort made me feel initially anxious: approximately 24.2 kilometres. Lucky for me, however, 24.2 kilometres in Lombok are not the same as 24.2 kilometres in the hyper-congested Jakarta. On this island, those kilometres can be easily conquered by car in mere half an hour—and the scenic routes to the resort would make the passing time easily forgivable as well. Native trees, wild-growing flora, and emerald highlands that I used to be able to see only on Pinterest feasted my eyes, left and right, during the drive to my destination. Just looking at the passing greenery alone made me believe that my city-bogged lungs had already been cleansed.
And then, there was the Mandalika complex. All the travel articles that I had read on the internet before this trip turned out to be accurate: the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, indeed, stands expansively and majestically, complete with several passers-by having jolly time doing afternoon jogging on the pedestrian paths. Being a motorsports racetrack, Mandalika was not as rambunctious as I had anticipated; it was, instead, peaceful with zero note of noise pollution.
When I saw a lovely neighbourhood occupied by beautiful Sasak-style cottages, I knew I had reached my new home away from home.
Adorably relaxing
The first thing that I noticed about Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas was the staff. It was genuinely remarkable to see with my own eyes how this esteemed resort employed a lot of Lombok locals as part of the resort’s operational team. At the end of the day, the locals would always know best about this island and all its wonders, as many guests—myself included—would definitely like to get acquainted with those distinctive characters. Kudos to Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas for greatly contributing to the local empowerment as well.
The second thing that I noticed was the private villa, in which I had the lucky privilege to stay for the next three days and two nights. Call me old-fashioned, but I was immediately over the moon when I discovered that the bed was traditionally styled, adorned with a regal and highly ornate headboard, and white-as-doves valances that, when pulled down and enclosed the whole bed, gave such a royalty vibe.
The staff, after I settled in my villa, served me a yummy plate of fruits, cookies, and macaroons to welcome my stay, which was a perfect snack to accompany my next activity: going to the backyard and marvelling in admiration at my private villa’s swimming pool. The villa’s backyard was also directly connected to the beach.
As both a travel writer and an experienced staycationer, I always believe that the property’s swimming pool tends to say a lot about whether the property genuinely understands its guests’ needs and sensibilities. This private swimming pool, spread elegantly in the villa’s backyard under the swaying, falling petals of blooming plumeria, was as blue as an aquamarine gemstone, with the length ideal for both lazy dips and quick swimming laps. On top of that, Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas totally nailed it by having the private swimming pool *not* too shallow for its depth. A private swimming pool, after all, is not supposed to be an open-air bathtub, and this resort commendably understood that.
The resort’s shared swimming pool, meanwhile, exuded charm as well as family-friendly romance. How could it not? As the swimmers, once dipping their toes into the pool, would immediately be greeted by the unbroken vista of the radiant Lombok sunshine and the sweeping Indian Ocean. During my stay, I noticed an elderly couple sharing an adorable moment soaking in the pool, their heads resting on each other’s shoulders, as they watched the seawaves gently dancing and oscillating on the coastlines. This resort is genuinely recommended for honeymooners looking for a summer paradise.
Beach meals, comfy feels
Now, let’s talk about my favourite subject of all time: food!
It is safe to say that Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas’s secret weapon is the culinary delights, particularly the ones served at the Spice Market Restaurant. The meal selections are diverse as well as multicultural, and I was not shy in trying out this restaurant’s signature dishes.
My top choice? Definitely Ayam Taliwang. This savoury-and-spicy dish, a Lombok-style baby chicken grilled with plecing kangkung and steamed rice, was a more-than-ideal meal to restore my energy after a long day spent swimming and exploring the beach as well as the island’s natural spectacles. Another dish worth scooping one’s spoon into would be Nasi Goreng Spice Market: a classic Indonesian-style fried rice with fried chicken, shrimp, sunny-side-up egg, beef satay, shrimp crackers, and pickled vegetables. Sometimes, nothing beats the homey classics.
For those looking in the mood for non-Indonesian meals, the Spice Market Restaurant also knew how to work its magic. The restaurant’s Chicken Thai Green Curry, consisting of chicken breast, mixed vegetables, spicy coconut milk green curry, complemented with jasmine rice, was such a belly-warmer that elevated this classic Asian comfort food to an even higher, more comforting level. Lava Chicken Burger, with its mouth-watering combo of toasted milky bun, crispy chicken glazed in spicy barbecue sauce, and classic French fries, radiated a level of deliciousness that would even heal the mood of the most homesick American tourist.
The breakfast buffet, on top of that, managed to meet the same glowing quality as the restaurant meals. A table specifically dedicated to turmeric herbal drink (jamu kunyit) and rice and sand ginger herbal drink (jamu beras kencur) reminded me of why there is no resort comparable to authentic Indonesian resorts like Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas.
The hills and the seas
When all has been said and done, it was Lombok’s natural sublimity that still and everlastingly made Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas an iconic pearl of tropical getaway that is today.
There was no better way of beginning a Monday morning than hiking through Bukit Seger Putri Mandalika located next to the resort: a massively sprawling series of highlands that, the more one reaches to their peaks, the more one would be able to see the entirety of Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas, the Mandalika racetrack circuit, the colossal Indian Ocean, and the latter’s surrounding, untouched beaches.
The whole panorama, in my eyes under the glowing morning sun, felt ethereal as well as spiritual. If the timing is on your side, you could spend hours sitting on the top of these hills by yourself, simply admiring this God-given view while reflecting on the blessings of your life thus far. They say that nowadays, travellers seek an escape that heals the soul. Well, I reckon there is nothing more healing than the view from these incredible highlands.
Down on the beach, there stands a swing, fit for one person only, interestingly installed and positioned facing the horizon between the sky and the Indian Ocean—another healing spot for travellers who are part of the so-called ‘galau generation’.
The seawaters and the entire shoreline especially glittered during the day’s golden hour, as the water levels subsided and the marine realm underneath became more visible than ever. The sand and the water were warm under my toes, with the onshore breeze playing with my fluttering hair. A lovely setting to clear one’s head and channel one’s gratitude for what life and this earth have to offer.
To heal and be happy
Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas has become the pioneer of Lombok’s resort scene today *not* simply due to luck. As proven by the care, service, and experience that I had at this resort, every sense and memory created here was a result of this resort’s perceptiveness as well as ability to understand its growingly dynamic guests. Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas knows very well what to elevate, what to preserve, and more importantly, who to charm—which is, quite literally, as many people as possible.
Going back to that volleyball moment, I couldn’t help but notice that the guests’ joy and the resort’s overall vibe inadvertently fed each other off. The entire beach came alive, and so did I, even though I was just a mere casual spectator. That magical circle of energy was not something that I would even necessarily be able to experience at a five-star hotel overseas. It was, simply put, pure happiness. And thanks to Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas, I returned to Jakarta not only a healthier person, inside and out, but also happier.
All images are courtesy of Felix Martua. You can also find out more about the resort by visiting its official website www.novotellombok.com and its Instagram account @novotellombokresortandvillas.