Where to Stay in Lombok
Lombok's growing popularity is giving Bali a run for its money, with an increasing number of travelers choosing this island for their dream vacation, making the question of where to stay in Lombok crucial.
Finding the best place to stay in Lombok depends on which side of the island speaks to you the most: are you the adventurer eager to climb Mount Rinjani? The sea lover ready to ride waves or snorkel at a pink beach? Or perhaps the romantic in search of a secluded retreat? We were all of them! So, we set out on an exploration from north to south to uncover the best the island has to offer and, along the way, discover where to stay in Lombok for an unforgettable island getaway. Ready to get in on all our findings?
Best Hotels in Lombok: Quick Picks
Short on time and just looking for the names of some of the best Lombok hotels where you are guaranteed to have an amazing time? We’ve got you covered!
Here are three of our all-around favorites and some of the best hotels where to stay in Lombok:
If these options don’t match your budget, you are looking for a hotel in a specific area, or you would like to read useful tips about the island, keep reading. We will break down the different areas to help you find the perfect one and provide great tips and accommodation suggestions on where to stay in Lombok, catering to all budgets and preferences.
Lombok Main Hubs
Lombok is a low-key paradise, just about 2 hours by fast boat from Bali, that is slowly gaining interest from international travelers. Most of the island is still quite rural and lacking advanced tourism infrastructure, but it boasts an impressive paved road that circles the entire island.
Among all the areas where to stay in Lombok, two have developed into the main tourist hubs: Senggigi and Kuta. These are where you will find the widest offer of accommodations, restaurants, and activity packages.
Kuta Lombok
Kuta is the best place to stay in Lombok if you are after the island’s most stunning hotels, cool hostels, and surf camps. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a complete beginner eager to give surfing a go, this is the place to be. With an array of restaurants offering both local and Western cuisine, plus calm and stunning beaches like Tanjung Aan just a scooter ride away, Kuta Lombok’s relaxed vibe is truly unbeatable.
Kuta is the ideal spot where to stay in Lombok for slow travelers and remote workers. We proudly call it our new official home away from home in Indonesia. The accommodation options offer great value for money, and all the essentials a traveler might need are easily accessible in the area – including laundry services, supermarkets, travel agents, ATMs, and more.
Its location on the south coast of the island makes it the best area to stay in Lombok for those who value convenience, with its close proximity to the international airport and connections to the main harbors.
Some of the best hotels in Kuta Lombok
If you are seeking more of a retreat, Porter Hotel* is one of the best hotels in Kuta Lombok that doubles as a surfing camp and yoga retreat, offering various packages to suit your preferences. You don’t need to select a package when booking, and members of the same group can choose different experiences.
Senggigi
Senggigi’s popularity stems not only from its wide array of beautiful resorts with white sand beaches at their doorsteps but also from its prime location. It is fairly close to the Gili Islands and near two major piers connecting Bali to Lombok, earning Senggigi the title of Lombok’s original tourist hub.
Senggigi is where to stay in Lombok for those with shorter itineraries who aim to explore as much of the island as possible through day trips. Chase waterfalls like Benang Kelambu and Benang Stokel, visit the rice fields of Tetebatu, or join a multi-day hiking trip to Mount Rinjani* with pickup from Senggigi.
The vibe here is quite different from Kuta, with more beach clubs and nightlife alternatives, multi-storey hotels and resorts, plenty of western restaurants and famous fast-food chains, and higher prices. However, beaches are often closer, reducing your dependence on a scooter.
Where to Stay in Senggigi
Best Areas to Stay in Lombok
Who says the best place to stay in Lombok has to be in a tourist hub? There are stunning areas where to stay in Lombok that are not yet as tourist-oriented – and that sounds like a dream as far as we are concerned! These areas may offer fewer (if any) luxurious hotels and only simple warungs (local restaurants) nearby, but their location – whether among peaceful rice fields, facing a deserted beach with the best snorkeling you will ever experience, or at the foot of Mount Rinjani – more than makes up for it.
The areas mentioned in this chapter, while amazing, might not be ideal for very long stays. Lombok is still not as developed as Bali, so outside of the main hubs, basic services may be scarce.
Finding where to stay in Lombok is not just about the hotel, but also the experience the area provides. With that in mind, here are the five best areas to stay in Lombok beyond the tourist hubs:
Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are among the most famous stops on Bali itineraries. So famous on their own that many people don’t even realize they are part of Lombok. These three beautiful islands offer stunning accommodations, quality restaurants, unique snorkeling spots, some of the best beaches in the area, and a proper laid-back island lifestyle – without motorized vehicles.
Choosing where to stay on the Gili Islands largely depends on which of the three islands best suits your needs, as each offers a distinct vibe that attracts different types of travelers.
Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan (or Gili T) is the largest and busiest of the three islands. Known as the party island for its vibrant nightlife, it attracts both backpackers and those seeking a more luxurious experience.
The nightlife scene is not overwhelming; most bars and clubs are concentrated in one area. With some planning, you can avoid it entirely and find quiet, secluded accommodation if you prefer.
Where to Stay in Gili Trawangan
Gili Air
We have a soft spot for Gili Air, our favorite of the bunch – the perfect balance between lively and quiet. Gili Air is the best place to stay in Lombok for travelers who appreciate slow living, biking around an island, and swimming with turtles by the shore, but don’t want to miss out on good restaurants and nice bars from where to watch the sunset.
Where to Stay in Gili Air
Gili Meno
Located in between the other islands, Gili Meno somehow manages to be the quietest of the three, often visited by travelers only during day trips for its unique underwater statues. However, those looking for a charming, secluded getaway, on a less developed island with a more local feel choose Gili Meno as the place where to stay in Lombok, if only for a few days.
Where to Stay in Gili Meno
Secret Gili Islands
Sekotong is home to the Secret Gili Islands and the best kept secret of Lombok. Day trips to some of the Secret Gilis from Kuta have become increasingly popular, but there is one that deserves more than a quick visit: Gili Asahan.
Gili Asahan is THE place where to stay in Lombok for the ultimate off the beaten path escape. Make the most of its great snorkeling and diving opportunities, or relax by one of the best beaches in Lombok. The cherry on top? There are only a handful of accommodations on the island, but the cost is not outrageous as such a private setting typically implies.
Where to stay in Gili Asahan
Selong Belanak
Just a 45-minute drive from Kuta Lombok, Selong Belanak is home to some of the best beaches in Lombok and stunning luxury accommodations. It is the perfect spot where to stay in Lombok for surf, yet it also welcomes those looking to bask in the sun and cool off in crystal-clear waters.
Most areas where to stay in Lombok will require you to rent a scooter or a car in order to move around and explore the surrounding area. Selong Belanak is no exception. Have that in mind when deciding the area in Lombok that suits you best.
This is the best place to stay in Lombok for those looking for a charming getaway immersed in nature. The area is gradually gaining popularity but remains off the radar for most travelers. Incredible new accommodations and beach clubs have opened here, promising an unforgettable experience.
Where to Stay in Selong Belanak
North Lombok
When it comes to where to stay in Lombok for the adventurous type, the north of the island takes the crown. Villages like Sembalun and Senaru serve as starting points to the Mount Rinjani hike, are home to some incredible waterfalls like Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep, and feature iconic viewpoints such as Pergasingan Hill.
Hiking Mount Rinjani is not something you can do on your own. Read more on the subject on our Lombok Itinerary Guide.
The north is the colder region of the island due to the high elevation, and the accommodations in these small villages surrounding Mount Rinjani are mainly homestays or small, simple lodges and guesthouses – but with views worth a million bucks!
North Lombok Where to Stay
Central Lombok
Staying in Lombok without visiting the stunning waterfalls and rice fields of Central Lombok is a crime. Tetebatu is the best place to stay in Lombok for a rural setting and to experience a traditional island village life, surrounded by fields and forests.
Even in the most rural settings, you will find mosques. There is no place to stay in Lombok where you won’t occasionally hear a call to prayer, so be sure to pack some earplugs.
Not many travelers spend the night in this area, mostly visiting it on day trips. Most of the time, we felt like the only foreigners in Tetebatu, but the welcoming atmosphere made us feel at home. The majority accommodations are homestays and guesthouses, but that just adds to the experience.
Central Lombok Where to Stay
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