Lombok : book your hotel

Lombok sits one narrow strait east of Bali, yet feels like a different country, culturally, geographically, temperamentally. It's roughly the same size as Bali but hosts less than half the visitors each year, a statistical gap that explains a lot about its energy.

This is a place where the soundtrack is still wind in palm fronds and the call to prayer drifting across fields, not beach clubs. Lombok is predominantly Muslim, home to the Sasak people, and its daily rhythms, architecture and etiquette reflect that difference in subtle ways.

The south coast unfurls into long, scalloped beaches where surfers chase reef breaks that have quietly entered the global circuit, while inland villages still weave songket textiles by hand. Tourism arrived here later, and it shows. Development clusters around places like Mandalika rather than spilling everywhere at once, which means the island retains a sense of space and more breathing room.

Mount Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-highest volcano, rises 3,726 metres from the centre of the island, creating its own weather system and feeding waterfalls, fertile farmland and a crater lake that is as pretty as desktop wallpaper. Mount Rinjani National Park dominates the island’s interior, drawing hikers for multi-day treks and day visitors for waterfalls and viewpoints. Base yourself near the coast and arrange transport rather than driving the mountain roads yourself.

The beaches of Kuta Mandalika and Selong Belanak anchor the south, with consistent surf and wide bays that stay calm outside peak season. The Mandalika International Street Circuit adds a modern counterpoint, hosting global motorsport events and accelerating infrastructure development. Nearby stays include Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort, which places you close to beaches, the circuit and the island’s main resort services.

Your base matters here more than other islands. Distances are short on a map but longer on the road, and evenings are quieter than in Bali. Choosing a hotel with good dining, transport access and thoughtful facilities turns downtime into part of the experience rather than a logistical exercise.

Booking through the ALL Accor loyalty program opens up benefits across the island, from member rates to dining credits and reward points redeemable worldwide. First-time visitors should explore membership via ALL Accor to unlock value across both luxury and midscale stays, especially when booking directly on ALL.com or through the ALL Accor mobile app.

Lombok’s luxury scene is still selective rather than sprawling, which works in its favour. Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort, a contemporary five-star hideaway, anchors the premium end of the market, pairing large, design-forward rooms with direct beach access, a full spa and polished dining options. The resort spreads along a quiet curve of Kuta Mandalika’s coastline, so you step from sculpted gardens straight onto a broad sweep of sand with uninterrupted Indian Ocean views.

Rooms and villas lean into space and texture rather than Bali bling. Clean-lined, design‑forward interiors softened by Sasak-inspired details, oversized beds, floor‑to‑ceiling glass and generous terraces that pull the outdoors in. Many categories add private plunge pools or direct pool access, so you can move between sun‑lounger, water and room in a few steps. Inside, small touches (pillow menus, smart TVs, well‑stocked minibars and good in‑room coffee and tea) skew it towards travellers who want resort ease but still care about design and functionality.

Shared spaces are built around a central pool deck that looks straight out to sea, backed by a full‑service spa, a decent‑sized fitness centre and relaxed, open‑air lounges that make it easy to linger between swims. Dining feels more “modern beach club” than old‑school hotel buffet: there are multiple venues, including two main restaurants, a lobby lounge and a swim‑up bar, with menus that mix Indonesian classics and broader international dishes so you can go from nasi goreng at breakfast to wood‑fired or grill‑style plates at dinner.

The scale suits travellers who want resort comfort without feeling sealed off from the island. Its Mandalika location places you close to Lombok International Airport and the island’s most developed tourism zone, making transfers straightforward while still delivering ocean views and a sense of retreat.

Novotel Lombok Resort & Villas sits in the sweet spot between holiday ease and room to move. The property fronts a peaceful curve of white-sand beach near Kuta Mandalika, so you get the proper feet-in-the-sand resort feel.

Rooms are generally spacious, with flexible bedding setups, simple contemporary decor and private terraces or balconies that work well for families who need separate zones to spread out toys, beach gear and suitcases. Villas add another layer of comfort for longer stays or multi‑generational trips, often including separate living areas and more privacy, so kids can nap or sleep early while adults still have space to unwind.

Around the resort, the focus is on easy, low‑key downtime rather than high‑gloss spectacle, with landscaped gardens connecting multiple pools (including kid‑friendly options), open‑air lounging areas and casual dining spaces where you can roll straight in from the beach. On‑site restaurants lean towards approachable, family‑friendly menus with a mix of Indonesian favourites and international standards, so it is easy to keep both adventurous and picky eaters happy without leaving the property.

For families, the layout does a lot of the heavy lifting as everything stays walkable, from rooms to pools to beach, and there are activity options like kids’ club-style programs or organised games that help keep younger travellers occupied. Because it is plugged neatly into the Mandalika area, you can pivot between resort days and low‑effort adventures, south‑coast beaches, surf schools and views are within straightforward reach, then be back in time for sunset swims and simple, on‑site dinners.