Lombok, an island off the coast of Bali and a little further north than Nusa Penida, is also a tourist destination. Part of the Lesser Sunda Islands archipelago, Lombok boasts unspoilt scenery and long sandy beaches. It attracts visitors for its relaxation in the sun and its water sports activities.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about staying in Lombok. In detail, you’ll find every good place to stay, with a summary of the atmosphere, the must-sees, how to get around, and so on. Finally, you’ll find a selection of hotels to suit every budget.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Lombok, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Lombok:
- $ A very affordable hotel in a heavenly setting,
- $$ This establishment, is just a 2-minute walk from Kuta Lombok beach,
- $$ This seafront hotel, boasts a wide range of facilities.
Map of different areas to stay in Lombok
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Lombok
Areas where to stay in Lombok
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Lombok.
Staying in Senggigi, the island's seaside resort
Senggigi is the place to stay in Lombok. This seaside resort is the most popular with tourists on the island. Its luxurious resorts face the ocean. A lively atmosphere is guaranteed with its restaurants and bars.
Because it's so busy, the atmosphere is lively and friendly. The biggest must-see in this area is the 14km long beach, where you can watch the sun set over the Balinese volcanoes. The main activity remains swimming, along with sunbathing on one of the sublime beaches along the coast.
For diving enthusiasts, you'll find Manta Point, near Nusa Penida, a world-famous spot for manta rays.
This is also where you can stay if you want to explore the Gili Islands, as the departure point is a little further up the coast at Bangsal. There are also departure points for trips to Mount Rinjani and traditional Sasak villages.
All along the coast, you'll find numerous hotel complexes where you can stay. Situated right on the seafront, they are very affordable and have a lot to offer.
Staying in Senggigi
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A heavenly setting for this very affordable hotel in Senggigi. The rooms are spacious and well decorated. There is an Asian à la carte restaurant. This is a great place to stay in Lombok, in one of the island's trendiest areas.
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A beautiful, comfortable and practical place to stay in Lombok. You can splash about in the lovely swimming pool bordered by all the bungalows. Facing the sea, this complex has a restaurant serving international cuisine. There is also a spa on site to pamper you. It's a great place to stay.
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A rather exotic setting for this hotel with a cosy atmosphere. The swimming pool, decor, friendly staff and large rooms make it a good place to stay in Senggigi. The restaurant serves traditional cuisine.
Accommodation in kuta lombok, surf spot
Kuta Lombok is also a popular spot for travellers, and should be included in the list of places to stay in Lombok. Different from the town of Senggigi, this fairly large area is located at the southernmost tip of Lombok, facing the sea. First there is Kuta Bay, which is very pleasant.
Less touristy than its neighbours, the island of Lombok attracts visitors for its more natural and wild aspect. This is true of this part of the island, where the atmosphere is more authentic than Senggigi.
There are plenty of white sandy beaches, and they are quite busy. Don't miss Selong Belanak, Mawi Beach or Tanjung Aan. This is above all a very famous surfing spot, and you'll see many surfers on scooters with their boards under their arms, heading for the various beaches. It is also possible to take lessons.
Apart from the locals, it's little frequented outside the tourist season, but you'll still find plenty of nature-seeking travellers here. Likewise, scooters are the best way to get to the various bays. Hotels are scattered throughout the area, and are very accessible.
Our choice of places to stay
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Hotel with traditional decor. It has a swimming pool and restaurant. Breakfast is included in the packages. Its greatest asset is its proximity to the beach, which is 500 metres away. A great address for those on a budget.
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This holiday village offers air-conditioned bungalows. There is an Indonesian restaurant and cocktail bar on site. The location is ideal, as you are just a 2-minute walk from Kuta Lombok beach. There is also a small swimming pool for you to enjoy.
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A large, fairly modern 4-star establishment with an outdoor swimming pool. It has a gym, bar and international à la carte restaurant. A good, affordable place to stay in Kuta on Lombok.
Stay at sekotong, the southern tip of the island
To the south, the Sekotong region is quieter but just as beautiful. It is particularly suited to relaxing and nature-oriented holidays.
Wild, isolated beaches, more discreet hotels, the sounds of nature and crystal-clear waters... you'll be totally immersedwhen you stay here for a few days.
Mekaki, Pandanan and Elak Elak Beach are particularly popular, especially the latter because of its underwater flora and fauna. Here you can go snorkelling and scuba diving.
You can also discover the local Sasak culture. Don't hesitate to visit the markets and sample the culinary specialities. Nature lovers will be delighted to discover the Gunung Rinjani national park or the Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu waterfalls.
Take advantage of boat trips to visit the many islands in the area, including Gili Nanggu, Gili Sudak and Gili Kedis. On a day trip, you can snorkel, admire the different islands, swim and enjoy the turquoise waters from the boat.
Accomodation in Sekotong
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This resort, located on the island of Gili Gede off the coast of Sekotong, offers villas with private pools. In addition to the large main pool, there are water sports activities, a golf course, a tennis court, a spa centre and a restaurant serving international cuisine.
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A heavenly setting for this relaxing waterside establishment. The large terrace with pool and bar overlooks the ocean and islands. You'll love the bike hire, the restaurant serving Indonesian cuisine, the boat trips for snorkelling, the spa and the gym. A great place to recharge your batteries.
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This 4-star establishment is quite luxurious: you can enjoy a relaxing setting, eat in the Asian restaurant, relax in the bar and spa and, above all, have access to the private beach. The rooms are spacious. The hotel's bohemian decor makes it one of the best places to stay in Lombok.
Alternatively, stay at Mataram in the city centre
The gateway to the island, Mataram town centre is a good place to stay if you want to spend the night in Lombok. It allows you to move around the whole island.
Senggigi is around 30 minutes' drive to the north, while Kuta is around an hour's drive away.
If you want to spend several days or a week here, we wouldn't recommend this area very much, as it's mainly the locals who live here and there aren't really any points of interest.
There are few resorts here and no beaches to sunbathe on, so it's not really a place to enjoy yourself, but rather a strategic stopping-off point before heading off to see the Gili Islands.
Where to stay in Mataram
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Very affordable address located in the centre of Mataram. A ten-minute scooter ride from the Islamic Center NTB. The rooms are clean and welcoming.
In short, the best places to stay in Lombok are Senggigi, a luxurious seaside resort, Kuta Lombok for lovers of water sports and Sekotong for those in search of serenity.