Where To Stay In Lombok – The Best of Indonesia
Lombok, an island in Indonesia located east of Bali, is starting to get attention and attract more travelers. As Bali is getting increased complaints about the traffic and crowds, you hear a lot of travelers feel the magic of the island is fading. If you want a quieter yet equally beautiful option, look no further. Here you’ll find amazing spots like Mount Rinjani, Gili islands, Bukit Merese and the pink beach of Lombok.
In this guide we will explore the best places to stay in Lombok, the highlights and our stay recommendations to help you plan, decide and have the best time on your visit.
Don’t have time to read the full article? Here is a list of helpful links:
👉 Check out the best accommodations for your visit.
👉 Start exploring the best tours around Lombok and things to do in Kuta, Lombok.
👉 Book your flight to Bali and ferry to Lombok or your flight straight to Lombok.
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Kuta?
1. Gili Islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air
Why Stay Here?
If you’re visiting from Bali, it makes sense to visit the Gili Islands on your way to the main island. Both Serangan and Padang Bai port connects to the Gili Islands, and will be most traveler’s introduction to Lombok island.
Located just off the northwest coast of Lombok, the Gili Islands—Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air—offer a tropical paradise with crystal-clear waters, relaxed island vibe and plenty of underwater activities. If you’re looking for luxury resorts, developed tourism infrastructure and excellent diving and snorkeling tours, do not miss out on these incredible islands.
Highlights of the Gili Islands
Each island has its unique charm, catering to different types of travelers:
- Gili Trawangan – Known for its nightlife and social scene. Check out our Gili T travel guide.
- Gili Meno – Perfect for couples seeking a romantic and peaceful getaway.
- Gili Air – A balance between the lively atmosphere of Gili T and the tranquility of Gili Meno.
Where to stay in the Gili Islands:
- Gili Trawangan – Diversia Diving Club & Bungalows and Gili One Resort
- Gili Meno – Les Villas Ottalia Gili Meno and The Rabbit Tree Hostel
- Gili Air – The Koho Air Hotel and Pelangi Cottages Gili Air
2. Senggigi
Why Stay Here?
The Gili islands are connected to the mainland with Bangsal Pier, which will be your gateway to mainland Lombok. From the pier, Senggigi is a short drive away. Featuring several kilometers of beach front just outside the capital of the island, Senggigi is a popular destination not to be missed.
Senggigi is one of Lombok’s main tourist hubs (mostly local tourists), offering a mix of beautiful beaches, nightlife and dining options. It’s perfect for first-time visitors who want to experience the best of Lombok with ease and less crowd. The area features excellent beaches for swimming and surfing, great shopping and restaurants, and many picturesque resorts.
We were able to rent a scooter from our hotel and we had to learn it in just a few tries. We don’t recommend it to anyone, but its a good way to explore the island.
From Senggigi or from Kuta, you can also visit spots like Sembalun, Sendang Gile, Tiu Kelep, Gili Petelu and Pink Beach or the Gili islands, if you haven’t already.
Highlights of Senggigi
- Senggigi Beach – Ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and spectacular sunsets.
- Dining and Nightlife – Numerous restaurants and bars. For a better experience, find dining spot by the beach-side for dinner.
- Accessibility – Close to the island’s main port and well-connected to other parts of Lombok.
Where to stay in Senggigi:
3. Kuta
Why Stay Here?
Kuta, on the southern coast of Lombok, is a haven for surfers and beach lovers. It has several stunning coastlines and relaxed vibe, it’s a favorite among adventure seekers and those looking to unwind.
Kuta is an incredible surf town and a tourist hub. There are plenty of restaurants, shops and tour options. Also, you’ll see one of the best sunsets of your life when visiting Bukit Merese. Check out our travel guide on things to do in Kuta.
Highlights of Kuta
- Stunning Beaches – Mandalika Beach, Mawun Beach, Tanjung Aan Beach and Selong Belanak Beach.
- Surf Spots – Selong Belanak, Mawi, and Gerupuk are world-renowned surfing spots.
- Local Culture – Experience traditional Sasak culture and local cuisine, including the Sade Village.
Where to stay in Kuta:
4. Tetebatu
Why Stay Here?
Tetebatu, situated on the slopes of Mount Rinjani, shows a different side of Lombok with its greenery, rice fields, and traditional way of life. It’s perfect for travelers who want to be close to nature and experience local traditions. Great for avoiding the chaos of over-tourism.
Highlights
- Mount Rinjani – Trekking opportunities with stunning views and challenging trails. Note that treks to Mount Rinjani are multi-day and if this is in your list, do plan accordingly.
- Rice Terraces– Beautiful landscapes perfect for photography and leisurely walks.
- Incredible Waterfalls – Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu Waterfall are the best in the island.
Where to stay in Tetebatu:
5. Tanjung
Why Stay Here?
Tanjung is a resort village located in northern side of Lombok. It’s an upscale area and, apart from a few resorts here and there, the unspoiled region has some of the best landscapes on the island. It serves as an excellent homebase as you want to visit the waterfalls, beaches and mountainous landscapes in the northern part of the island.
At the base of this volcanic mountain, Sendang Gile, Tiu Kelep, and Mangku Sakti Waterfalls can be found. Take a trip to Sembalun, the Arabica coffee growing region of Lombok, as it offers some picturesque rice terraces, and temples such as Pura Penataran Agung Rinjani. This region is perfect for a less touristy and more nature-focused getaway.
Highlights of Tanjung
- Unwind and relax– Luxury resorts offer a perfect place to relax, observe the nature and enjoy a spa.
- Lombok Wildlife Park– This wildlife sanctuary gets you up close and personal with elephants and monkeys.
- Beaches and Mount Rinjani– Sire Beach and Lokok Piko Beach are the sandy highlights. If you have not seen Mount Rinjani from Tetebatu, set off for your hike here.
Where to stay in Tanjung:
- Al-Shifa Healing House Lombok
- Anema Wellness & Resort Gili Lombok – Diving Center PADI
- The Kori Sire
- Beach Villas Lombok
How to get to Lombok?
Most people who visit Lombok are from Bali. You can book a flight to Denpasar, Bali and take a ferry to Lombok. We suggest you start with the Gili islands as several boats come here from Bali and then continue onwards to mainland Lombok.
If you want to fly straight to Lombok, that is entirely possible as they have an accessible airport. Getting to your hotel, airport taxis are available but we recommend taking Grab so you don’t have to haggle with prices. Make sure you equip yourself with the best apps and useful tips travelling around Southeast Asia.
Final Thoughts
Lombok is a diverse island that offer something for every type of traveler – enjoy sandy beaches of Senggigi and Kuta to nature adventures of Tetebatu and Tanjung. We hope this guide had been helpful in planning your stay in Lombok.
Check out our guides on these travel destinations: El Nido, Palawan; Da Nang, Vietnam; Khao Sok Thailand and the 14 affordable cities in Southeast Asia for digital Nomads.
Curious which drone we have? We currently have the DJI Mini 4 Pro and we couldn’t recommend it enough especially for beginners as it has good stabilization and obstacle avoidance (because you don’t want to crash into a tree on day 1!)
Safe travels!
