I’m relaxing into a chic outdoor lounge suite, the closest one to the ocean, overlooking the infinity pool and manicured lawn which meets our private beach. The light-dark blue of a cloudless sky above the Bali Sea fills out the entire panoramic backdrop. Waves lap the shore, and a traditional Indonesian fishing boat put-puts by 100m out to sea. A dozen palm trees cast a cooling shade, while a gentle cross-shore breeze belies the Lombok dry-season heat we experienced on our journey in.
Our private butler Nyoman, immaculately groomed, well-spoken and worldly, along with our private chef Ketut, are on hand to look after our every need. Throughout the day Nyoman will stop by wherever we’re relaxing or working on our laptops to recommend a snack or drink we might like – most recently this was his speciality jamu tea infused with ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, brown sugar and “stingless-bee honey”, accompanied by traditional local sweet, onde onde. Lots of little things make a big difference.
Your Private Beachfront Oasis
Lombok’s Private Villa Estate is an oasis of tranquillity, a private 5-acre beachfront estate amidst a stand of coconut trees and bordered by rice paddies on one side and the ocean on the other in the Tanjung district of northwest Lombok. The location is magical, the architecture exquisite, and the hospitality exceptional.
The villas carry on a tradition of providing the finest hospitality in all of Indonesia. Its sister property, The Lombok Lodge, has been awarded Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award every year since 2011, as well as ‘Top 10 Small Hotels Asia’ and ‘Top 20 Small Hotel in the World’. With such accolades, my expectations of the new private villa estate extension were high.
Step Inside Your Dream Villa
After an Instagram-worthy arrival passing through a wide swathe of rice paddies, the first major wow moment arrives after our golf cart shuttles us to our villa – a giant 2m-wide door cantilevers open to reveal a long corridor with a framed view of the ocean at the end. Among the most striking features about the design and layout of Lombok’s Private Villa Estate is that from the front door through to the beach, all living areas are entirely open – only the bedrooms and media room are enclosed.
There is plenty of space for parties of up to six to gather or spread out, with fixed concrete dining table alongside a serving table and enclosed kitchen; a lounge suite setting alongside; more sofas and cushioned concrete chairs overlooking the pool at the beach end of the villa; and another concrete dining table in this space too allowing for meals within arm’s reach of the ocean. A half a dozen beach chairs straddle where the lawn meets the beach.
Golden Hour for Hours
Golden hour here is truly spectacular. We were feeling very relaxed and spoiled throughout our first afternoon, however little did we know the real show was about to begin. As the day drew to a close the sun descended like a surreal glowing orb through the palm fronds, reflecting over the pool and slowly sinking into ocean as we enjoyed beers and cocktails. Meanwhile Nyoman lit a fire and prepared our private dinner table on the beach.
Dinner was a five-course, Lombok cuisine and culture-inspired feast. I’m not sure if Lombok’s Private Villa Estate arranged it, but a full moon rose above the palm trees just as dessert arrived – a decadent plate of chocolate ice cream, vanilla sauce, fresh mint and deconstructed apple crumble to top off a sublime evening.
When It’s Time To Retreat
While we spent almost all our time outside spread out across the villa, when it comes time to retreat the bedrooms are a sanctuary. Spacious and refined, the attention to detail that is enshrined in Lombok’s Private Villa Estate really stands out when you are looking for respite. The huge beds and pillows couldn’t be more comfortable, and electric black out blinds really black out, making it very easy to get an extra hour of sleep in the morning.
The bathrooms are out of this world, of particular note the showers with 3m-high walls clad with coarse, black volcanic rocks. An electric blind open and closes the ceiling depending on your mood – but with stars visible while staring up through the rain shower, I recommend you go with open.
Things To Do in Northern Lombok
While there is plenty of activities to fill a trip, we were having such a lovely time in the villa we didn’t want to leave. We spent our first full day relaxing in the pool, swimming in the ocean or lying on the beach chairs in between eating. We did duck across to the spa pavilion for a post-lunch, early afternoon massage and body scrub with the villas’ highly trained staff.
On our second day we were treated to a tour of the nearby Gili Islands, picked up straight off the beach out the front of the villa by Lombok’s Private Villa Estate’s beautiful private longboat, of course. Gili Meno is a smooth 15 minutes ride away, with snorkelling at Turtle Point a must. We then cycled around “the big T”, Gili Trawangan, before having a late lunch on the quiet but gorgeous Gili Air.
Why Choose Lombok Private Villa Estate?
Lombok’s Private Villa Estate epitomises the pinnacle of serene luxury. Its strategic location amidst the tranquil backdrop of Lombok’s natural beauty, combined with unparalleled service, makes it an ideal retreat.
Every aspect, from the exquisite villas, gourmet dining experiences, to the bespoke service, is curated to ensure an unforgettable stay. Whether it’s lounging by the private beach, exploring the surrounding natural wonders, or simply basking in the opulent comforts of your villa, Lombok’s Private Villa Estate promises a rejuvenating and exclusive getaway.
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