Lombok boutique hotels: best accommodation in the south

During our trip to Bali and Lombok, we discovered a few absolute dream hotels on this beautiful island, which we would like to share with you here.

All of the accommodations are smaller boutique hotels located on beautiful beaches and are mostly in the upper price segment. We have a total of three recommendations in the south of Lombok, all of which we have visited ourselves and found to be very good.

We spent a total of three weeks on Lombok in the fall of 2023, after first visiting Bali and then Nusa Lembongan. As we like surfing, we spent most of our time in the south, where there are lots of great beaches. The three hotel tips are all close to Selong Belanak beach, where there are perfect waves for beginners.

Boni Beach Boutique Hotel

Our first hotel on Lombok was the Boni Beach Hotel, which was built in 2022 and was therefore still very new. The hotel has eight rooms, four of which are on the first floor by the beautiful pool and four more on the second floor with a view of the hills. There are also three separate, larger villas, some with their own small pool.

So much in advance: The Boni Beach Hotel was definitely the most beautiful accommodation of our entire trip to Indonesia. Everything was just right here: It was extremely beautiful and lovingly furnished, modern and minimalist. The beach was just a three-minute walk away, the food was heavenly and the entire team was extremely friendly and attentive without being overbearing.

Rooms at the Boni Beach Hotel

We first had a room on the first floor with a view of the pool. The downstairs rooms seem a bit bigger and have slightly nicer bathrooms than the upstairs rooms. The shower and toilets downstairs are half open-air and nice and big. While showering, you look out over green plants and can even see the blue sky.

However, the balconies in the upper rooms are a little nicer: you have more privacy here than down by the pool.

On the other hand, the bathroom is inside and somewhat smaller – but no less beautiful. As everywhere in Indonesia, you should not drink the tap water. Instead, there were always large bottles of drinking water in the room, which were refilled regularly.

Restaurant at Boni Beach

The food at the Boni Beach Hotel was so good that we even came back later for dinner when we were actually already staying at another hotel. After breakfast, you can choose from a small but very fine menu all day long and order both traditional and western delicacies. Apparently, the hotel manager is a trained chef and is often in the kitchen himself.

You can eat both during the day and in the evening down by the pool or up on the roof terrace, from where you have a view of the hills and the sea.

On the roof terrace there is a small bar, a few tables and chairs and small, cozy lounges for chilling out or for a sundowner before dinner.

Surroundings of the Boni Beach Hotel

The hotel is around an hour’s drive from the capital Mataram, 40 minutes from the airport and 90 minutes from the port of Senggigi, where ferries depart for Bali and other islands.

The area around the Boni Beach Hotel is very quiet: there are a few other small hotels and restaurants and a few villages where you can buy water and food. The area is still a long way from the mass tourism we know from Bali.

The beach directly in front of the hotel is just a few minutes’ walk away: It is beautiful and extremely secluded, there are no beach bars and hardly any people. The sand here is very soft, so walking can quickly become tiring.

Rent a scooter

Like most accommodation in Indonesia, you can also rent scooters at the Boni Beach Hotel for a few euros a day. This is also necessary here, as the hotel is in a really secluded location.

We experienced big differences in the quality of the scooters, especially in Bali and on the Nusa Islands, sometimes the brakes didn’t even work properly and the helmets weren’t there.

But here too, the Boni Beach Hotel scored highly: The rollers were brand new and very modern, and there were even different motorizations to choose from.

Surfing at Selong Belanak Beach

You can also take a scooter to Selong Belanak beach in around ten minutes. The beach is perfect for anyone who wants to start surfing or improve their skills. The waves are small and long, there are countless small surf schools and boards can be rented on every corner.

However, the beach is not only good for surfing: You can also enjoy a relaxing swim here, as the beach slopes very gently into the water. Many surf schools also offer comfortable sun loungers that can be rented for a few euros a day, including a coconut.

There are also a few small restaurants on this beach where you can watch the sunset perfectly. We were at the very end of the beach in the Laut Biru restaurant, where you can have dinner with your feet in the sand.

A special feature of the beach are the herds of buffalo, which are led along the beach several times a day by local shepherds. This event has become so famous that you can hardly see any buffalo because of all the people with cell phones.

Amber Lombok Resort

Our second hotel on Lombok was the Amber Resort in the south of the island. It is around 15 minutes by car from the Boni Beach Hotel described above. The area is also extremely quiet, and a scooter (can be rented at the hotel) is also highly recommended here.

Compared to the Boni Beach Hotel, the Amber Resort is significantly larger and therefore also a little more impersonal: almost 40 rooms are spread across the large grounds. You can either rent a room on the first floor or on the upper floor, there are different categories, some even with a private pool.

We had a standard room with a small terrace on the upper floor. Unfortunately we were a bit unlucky with a broken shower and partly cold water, but otherwise the room was very nicely furnished.

As you are not allowed to drink tap water in Indonesia, you should also use separate drinking water to brush your teeth. There were two small bottles in the room, but they were only refilled on request during the day. This was a little inconvenient: you had to write to reception via WhatsApp, whereupon the empty bottles were first collected and a few minutes later brought back to the room full.

The highlight of the hotel is its location directly on the long sandy beach. In the center of the complex is the restaurant with bar and lounge, from which you have a direct view of the sea. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here.

If you are looking for peace and relaxation, this is the place for you. We spent hours sitting on the comfortable sofas and lounges in the main building, drinking coconuts and gazing out to sea.

Next to the restaurant is a beautiful pool (also with a sea view) with lots of sun loungers and some four-poster beds. But the sea is also a good place to swim, unless the tide is low. Then the water at the front of the beach is so shallow that you can hardly get into the water deeper than your knees.

Suku Lifestyle Hotel

Unfortunately, we were only able to stay at the Suku Hotel for a short time as we had to cut our stay short due to a sudden illness and subsequent stay in hospital on Lombok.

The Suku Hotel is located almost directly on the Belong Selanak surfing beach and is slightly cheaper than the other two. It is run by a German-Indonesian couple, has a wonderful pool in the middle and a few small rooms with their own terrace all around.

During our short stay, the team lovingly looked after us and prepared fantastic food. Scooters are also easy to hire here, making it quick and easy to explore the island.

Map: Our hotels on Lombok

This article reflects my personal impressions. We booked and paid for the hotels as normal. The hotels did not know that we were writing an article about our stay.

Interesting facts about Lombok

Is Lombok expensive?

Compared to Bali or Sri Lanka, Lombok tends to be slightly cheaper. Prices for accommodation, food and transportation are generally affordable.

There is a wide range of accommodation options, from simple guest houses to luxury resorts, to suit different budgets. The costs depend heavily on personal preferences and the chosen lifestyle.

How long should I plan for Lombok?

The ideal length of stay depends on your own destinations and interests. For a comprehensive visit that includes the main attractions such as the Gili Islands, Mount Rinjani, the beautiful beaches and the cultural sights, we recommend at least one week.

If you want to take your time to explore the island thoroughly and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, 10 days to two weeks is also appropriate.

How to get from Bali to Lombok?

There are several ways to get from Bali to Lombok. The most common option is the ferry from Padang Bai on Bali to Lembar on Lombok. The crossing takes about 4-5 hours.

In case you’ve heard horror stories about high waves and chaotic ferries: We opted for the largest (and most expensive) company called Eka Jaya. The ships are large and seem safe. You can even sit up on deck and enjoy the sun on the crossing to Lombok. But beware: there is no shade up there, but they do sell beer and coke.

There are also flight connections from Denpasar, the capital of Bali, to Lombok. The flight time is only about 30-40 minutes. We chose this option for the return journey. These are small, quite narrow propeller planes for 50-80 people. If you don’t like traveling by boat, this is a good alternative.

Is Lombok worth a trip?

Absolutely! Lombok is a gorgeous island with breathtaking landscapes, secluded beaches, fascinating cultures and friendly locals. It offers a relaxed atmosphere compared to the hustle and bustle of Bali.

The island is perfect for nature lovers, hikers, beach vacationers and surfers alike. The variety of experiences that Lombok offers definitely makes it worth a visit.