The Oberoi Lombok: A Short Stay in Paradise (and the One Thing Nobody Tells You)
- Suzana Lelic
- Oct 12
- 4 min read
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (9/10)
Peaceful, elegant, and deeply beautiful (just bring strong earplugs).
We stayed just one night at The Oberoi Beach Resort, Lombok, but that one night was enough to fall in love with the place.Originally, we were supposed to arrive earlier, but when we realised there were no more direct flights from Bali that day, we took the fast boat instead and honestly, it turned out to be the best choice.
Getting There — The Fast Boat from Bali
If you’re planning your trip from Bali, take my advice: always go for the fast boat. It’s clean, safe, and surprisingly pleasant. The seats were spotless, there was plenty of space, and they even played a movie onboard (a rare bonus). The one we took and highly recommend is Ekajaya Fast Ferry.
The journey was smooth and much faster than flying, especially since The Oberoi Lombok and Sira Beach Resort are both over an hour from the airport.Once we docked, our driver was waiting with a big smile and cool towels. In just ten minutes, we were driving through tropical green towards The Oberoi.
The Calm, Golden and Elegant Arrival to The Magical Oberoi Lombok
The lobby felt instantly soothing surrounded by greenery, soft light, and that familiar Oberoi serenity. We arrived right at sunset, when everything glows gold and still.Welcome drinks and homemade cake appeared as if by magic, and for a moment it felt like the world had stopped rushing.
The Room — Natural Beauty and a Dream Bathroom
Our Luxury Pavilion was huge, with high wooden ceilings and a sense of calm in every corner. The natural materials, warm tones, and the quiet rhythm of the space made it feel like a retreat within a retreat.
The bathroom was the star of the show — stone, wood, candles, and a deep bathtub with a wooden ladle. Oberoi understands that bathing can be a ritual, not just a necessity.
The bed was large and comfortable, with soft pillows and even a small step for climbing in. It had everything needed for a perfect night’s rest or at least in theory :) continue reading...
The One Thing Nobody Tells You About Lombok
Here’s something travel guides don’t tell you and why I absolutely can't stand some other sponsored blogs and vlogs that promote hotels without giving you the real picture. :
The morning prayers start at 4:30 a.m., the first call to prayer begins — long, melodic, and deeply spiritual. Lombok is known as the island of a thousand mosques, and at dawn, you’ll know exactly why.
Now, I genuinely admire and respect the beauty of this daily ritual — it’s part of what makes Lombok so special. But I’ll be honest: if you’re a light sleeper, this is not the place for a restful night.
The Oberoi provides earplugs, but they didn’t do much. Both G and I were wide awake by 4:35, and sleep was gone until sunrise.The architecture, with its beautiful wooden ceilings and open design, unfortunately lets every sound through.
So here’s my honest advice and I say this with love: If you’re sensitive to noise, bring the strongest earplugs you can find, or consider staying at Sira Beach Resort instead. The rooms there are soundproof, and I didn’t hear a thing.
That doesn’t make Sira a better hotel , not at all But when it comes to actually sleeping? Sira wins that round.
The Resort - A Tropical Masterpiece
With only 50 rooms spread across an enormous property, The Oberoi Lombok feels like a private paradise. The gardens are lush and full of life — frangipani trees, lotus ponds, and a quiet rhythm that makes you forget everything else.
Beauty rating: 10/10
Dinner Under the Stars
Dinner was lovely. The open-air restaurant faces the gardens, and a live band played familiar songs at just the right volume — enough to create an atmosphere, but still leaving space for conversation.
The food blends Indonesian, Indian, and Western cuisine. It was flavorful and aromatic, though a bit too spicy for us that night. G’s butter chicken had to make a return trip to the kitchen, but the staff handled it perfectly.
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Breakfast
Breakfast here is a dream. It’s à la carte and beautifully presented. The best we had in Lombok.
I ordered a fluffy egg-white omelet, dragon fruit yogurt, and local Lombok coffee that was so smooth it didn’t need sugar. When I asked for a slice of avocado, they brought half.
Little details, like free fresh coconuts all day and alcohol-free sangria, make it feel genuinely personal.
Breakfast: 10/10
The Beach & Gili Adventure
The beach is peaceful and well kept, with excellent service — cold towels, SPF, and water arriving before you even ask.
We booked a private boat through the hotel to explore the Gili Islands, and it was incredible. The crew spoke perfect English, and we snorkeled with turtles and underwater statues.
Lunch was at Bask Gili Meno, a relaxed beachfront spot with great food and an island vibe.
Final Thoughts
Oberoi remains one of my favorite hotel group. It's timeless, elegant, and soulful.And The Oberoi Lombok is a masterpiece of calm and beauty.
But honesty matters: if sleep is sacred to you, this might not be your best match. For those who can sleep through anything, it’s a slice of heaven. For light sleepers like me, maybe pack extra earplugs or consider Sira for deeper rest.
Price paid: €400 per night booked via Agoda.
Overall rating: 8/10
Pro travel Tips for Indonesia: always use the Blue Bird taxi, alwasy get your visa online to avoid lines upon arrival and don’t forget that prices at hotels for spa treatments and extras are without tax included, so expect to see the final cost for about 20% increased. ( not as bad as Maldives but still substantial)
If you taking Lion Air domestic flights, the baggage allowance for checked in luggage is only 10kg, and every extra kg is 40.000IDR. We learned this the hard way.
The best speed boat service for island hoping is Ekajaya Fast Ferry.
Comments