You know when people say “this place is what Bali was like 10-years ago”… I’m going to say it again. Lombok is like Bali was 10-years ago!
Lombok is an island in Indonesia situated right next to Bali. It has the same food, culture, surf and magnificent landscapes that Bali boasts but without the crowds of tourists. If you’re looking for an untouched, Indonesian paradise – head to Lombok.
Whether you’re up for hiking Mount Rangjini (go you!), surfing with turtles or just relaxing and eating incredible food; you can do it all in Lombok.
However, if you do not know the island, knowing where to stay in Lombok can be a bit confusing. There are loads of different areas that cater to different types of travellers – from luxury resort spots to surfy towns, you’ll want to choose the area that best suits YOU.
To help you out, I’ve put together this guide on where to stay in Lombok. You’ll find the best areas on the island, catergosied by interest or budget. No only that but you’ll discover the top places to stay and things to do in each area. You’ll be an expert on the areas of Lombok in no time!
So, its time to get scrollin’ as we find where in Lombok is best for you.
In a hurry? These are our top picks for accommodation in Lombok.
Sikara Lombok Hotel | Best Budget Hotel in Lombok
Sikara Lombok Hotel is a budget hotel located in Kuta, one of the main hubs of the island. It offers stylish and comfortable rooms for an affordable price, featuring a private bathroom, air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. Rooms have a view over either the mountains, the garden, or the sea.
Golden Palace Hotel Lombok | Best Mid-Range Hotel in Lombok
Golden Palace Hotel Lombok sits in the heart of Mataram’s city centre. The rooms are modern and elegant and have an ensuite bathroom. The hotel also features an outdoor pool, a wellness centre, and free Wifi.
Dewi Sri Guesthouse | Best Hostel in Lombok
This traditional guesthouse offers private and shared rooms, free wifi, and an onsite pool. It’s close to the city center and a short drive from the beaches, so you’ll be in a great position to explore the island.
Beautiful Bungalow near the Beach | Best Airbnb in Lombok
This tropical bungalow is an ideal base for exploring Lombok. You can rent a scooter from the owners, and there is a ferry nearby that stops at the Gili Islands. It’s also a short walk from Sengiggi Beach – THE place to go for nightlife.
Lombok Neighborhood Guide – Places to Stay in Lombok
Kuta
Kuta is located in the south of Lombok and is one of the more popular areas in Lombok. In Kuta, the sand is white, the water is clear and the surf is good. There you have it! The main activities in Kuta are enjoying the beach and the sun, and taking advantage of some of the best waves you will find in Indonesia.
Mataram
While Mataram is actually the largest city on the island of Lombok, not so many tourists actually stop there longer than an hour or two. As a consequence, accommodation tends to be cheaper here than other touristy spots on the island.
Senggigi
Senggigi is the most popular area for tourists in Lombok. Located in the north-west of the island, it is just a short ride away from the main city of Mataram, yet offers a much different scenery.
Gili Air
Gili Air is a small island off the coast of Lombok. It takes 15 minutes to reach the island by boat from Lombok. Visitors who love walking can hike around the island in approximately 2.5 hours.
Tanjung
Tanjung is a resort village located in the north of the Lombok island, facing the Gili islands. It is one of the more upscale areas of Lombok and, apart from a few resorts here and there, the neighbourhood remains largely unspoiled.
Lombok is often overlooked as a destination, with many travelers choosing to visit Bali instead. However, this stunning island has a lot to offer. It’s the same size as its sister island and has been spared by mass tourism, so many of its areas have remained untouched.
Lombok offers some epic scenery, pristine beaches, and great surfing spots. It’s also a cheaper alternative to Bali.
The town of Kuta Lombok is where most first-time visitors choose to stay. It’s packed with awesome villas set against great landscapes made of rugged cliffs and small mountains. With so much happening, it’s the best place to get a feel for the island.
The town of Senggigi is the main tourist hub on the island. It is a lively area filled with bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Its popularity comes partly from the presence of the Rinjani volcano, but it’s also a pretty wild party spot.
Mataram is the best place to stay if you’re backpacking Indonesia on a budget. Accommodation is cheaper here, and there are loads of activity options that won’t break the bank.
Just a short boat-ride away from the main island is the Gili Air. These boast paradise-like beaches with white sand, as well as great snorkeling and diving opportunities.
For a more exclusive experience, visitors will head to Tanjung, where 5-star resorts, private beaches, and golf courses dominate the landscape. It’s also full of family-friendly accommodation.
Still not sure where to stay in Lombok? Fear not, my friend – we’ve got lots more information on each area below.
Lombok’s 5 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
Now, let’s take a look at each of these areas in more detail. We’ve included our top activity and accommodation picks in each, so you know exactly what to expect.
1. Kuta – Where to Stay in Lombok for your First Visit
Kuta is located in the south of Lombok and is one of the more popular areas on the island. Here, the sand is white, the water is clear, and the surf is popping. It’s perfect for taking advantage of some of the best waves you will find in Indonesia.
There are many surf schools around the main village, and several surfing spots are located around the area. Some breaks are located a bit further away from the beach, but it is easy to catch a boat ride to reach them.
If surfing isn’t your thing, you’ll still be spoilt with stuff to do. The landscapes are absolutely stunning here, and are preserved from mass tourism. Expect rugged cliffs dramatically falling into the sea, mountains behind, and crystal clear waters. A real postcard!
Friends Beach Hotel | Best Budget Hotel in Kuta
This quaint hotel offers stylish accommodation for a super affordable price. Rooms are traditional and feature tiled floors and air conditioning to keep things comfortable. Guests can enjoy sea and mountain views, as well as activities including horse-riding and snorkelling. There’s loads to explore nearby, including Kuta’s white sand beach and plenty of restaurants.
Segara Anak Hotel | Best Mid-Range Hotel in Kuta
With its gorgeous pool, beachside location, and resort-style amenities – this is one of the bougiest (and affordable) hotels in Lombok. Rooms are decorated in a tropical style, with tiled floors to keep things cool. A stunning breakfast is included and served at the onsite restaurant, and the bar will provide you with cocktails throughout the day!
The Living Room Hostel | Best Hostel in Kuta
The Living Room Hostel is a cosy backpackers retreat in Kuta Lombok. The outdoor area includes a terrace with bean bags to relax in, a bar, a garden, and a swimming pool. Private and dorm rooms are available, which feature comfortable beds and free wifi.
Trendy Home in the heart of Kuta | Best Airbnb in Kuta
This room sits in a quiet area in the middle of Kuta. It’s very spacious, and ideal for long-term travelers or digital nomads. There’s a kitchen where you can cook your own meals, and the hosts provide banana pancakes and fresh fruit for breakfast. A scooter is available to borrow, which will have you at the beach in just two minutes.
Things to See and Do in Kuta
- Laze the day away on the beach.
- Get some surfing lessons on some of the best waves in the country.
- Catch the sunset on Bukit Merese.
- Taste some of the best food in Lombok at Kenza Café.
- Take a trip to Bangkang Cave, just ten minutes from Kuta’s main strip.
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View on Osprey View on REI2. Mataram – Where to Stay in Lombok on a Budget
While Mataram is actually the largest city on the island, not many tourists actually stop there longer than an hour or two. As a consequence, accommodation tends to be cheaper here than other tourist spots on the island.
Mataram is also a great place to stay in if you want to experience authentic local life. Streets buzz with motorbike traffic and roads are lined with market stalls.
Mataram has a couple of nice temples to visit. The Hindu temple of Pura Meru is the largest in Lombok and dates back to 1720. There, you can see three multi-tiered shrines made of teak wood.
Hotel Orizatha | Best Budget Hotel in Mataram
Hotel Orizatha provides modern accommodation for a great price. The rooms are fitted with a private bathroom, air conditioning, a terrace, and a view over the city or the hotel garden. A good breakfast is served each morning.
Golden Palace Hotel Lombok | Best Mid-Range Hotel in Mataram
Golden Palace Hotel Lombok is located in the heart of Mataram’s city centre. The rooms there are modern and elegant and feature a private bathroom with a bathtub, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV. The hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool, a wellness centre, and free Wifi.
Dewi Sri Guesthouse | Best Hostel in Mataram
Dewi Sri is a traditional house that’s been converted into a guesthouse. Choose from a cozy private room or a traditional dorm and enjoy a free breakfast, free wifi, and on-site pool. The hostel is close to the city center and a short drive from the beaches.
Clean Villa in Lombok’s capital | Best Airbnb in Mataram
Keep cool in the hot summer days staying at this brand new villa. This paradise space is bright throughout and offers an awesome panoramic view of the sunset. Spend your time basking in the sun on the garden terrace, or cooling off in the pool. Breakfast is provided, as well as free wifi and tropical furnishings.
Things to See and Do in Mataram
- Experience the local life in Lombok’s biggest city
- Try to find the remainders of the Dutch-colonial era at the port in Ampenan
- Visit the Hindu temple of Pura Meru
- Discover Indonesia’s Islamic culture at the Islamic Centre, a green and gold mosque which opened in 2016. Here, you can climb to the top of the tallest minaret, culminating at 114 metres.
3. Senggigi – Best Area to Stay in Lombok for Nightlife
Senggigi is the most popular area for tourists in Lombok. Located in the north-west of the island, it is just a short ride away from the main city of Mataram, yet offers very different scenery.
The beach is the main attraction here. The sand here is black due to the nearby volcanic activity of the Mount Rinjani. While you can get your tan on during the day, make sure not to miss the stunning sunsets in the evenings.
Senggigi is nothing compared to Bali in terms of touristic development, but hotels and guesthouses still line up the streets here. Restaurants serve local food for a bargain, and there are bars and clubs galore. If you want to experience some serious nightlife in Lombok, Sengiggi is where you’ll find it.
Jazz Senggigi Hotel | Best Budget Hotel in Senggigi
The Jazz Senggigi Hotel offers great budget accommodation in Lombok. Private rooms and dorm beds are available in rooms fitted with air conditioning, a bathroom, and a terrace. A continental breakfast is served each morning.
RedDoorz Premium Hotel | Best Mid-Range Hotel in Senggigi
Taman Unique Hotel offers a great Indonesian experience in Lombok. The spacious rooms are fitted with an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a tea and coffee maker. Some rooms have a view over the garden. The hotel restaurant serves pizza, barbecue specialities, and international cuisine.
Selasar Hostel | Best Hostel in Senggigi
The Selasar Hostel is the best hostel in Senggigi. It offers private rooms with double or bunk beds. In the morning, guests can enjoy an American breakfast at the hotel. The common areas include a shared lounge and an outdoor terrace. A free wifi connection is available.
Beautiful Bungalow near the Beach | Best Airbnb in Senggigi
This tropical villa is super close to the beach, and a short scooter ride from the town and ferry terminal. It’s beautifully furnished with all the amenities you’ll need for a comfortable stay, including free wifi and a full kitchen.
Things to See and Do in Senggigi
- Go scuba diving to meet some turtles and exotic fish.
- Experience a stunning sunset from the beach in the evening.
- Go surfing on the strong waves of the area.
- Enjoy local food like satay.
- Take in the views at Batu Bolong Temple.
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Photo: @monteiro.online
Gili Air is a small island off the coast of Lombok, about 15 away by boat. Visitors who love walking can hike around the island in approximately 1-2 hours.
Snorkelling and diving are particularly popular in Gili Air, thanks to the warm crystal clear waters. If you’re inexperienced or want some help, there are plenty of diving schools around. Underwater, you will encounter coral reefs, turtles, and exotic fish.
Although it is not as lively as some of the other Gili islands, Gili Air offers a good nightlife scene. The atmosphere is more laid-back around there, and it’s not unusual to find some fresh barbecued fish on the beach in the evening.
Gili Matiki | Best Budget Hotel in Gili Air
Gili Matiki offers budget accommodation in Gili Air. Each room is located in a little hut and fitted with air conditioning or a fan, an ensuite bathroom, a terrace, and a view over the garden or the pool. Outside, in the garden, guests can enjoy a swimming pool.
Samata Village Gili Air | Best Mid-Range Hotel in Gili Air
Samata Village Gili Air offers modern rooms with wooden roofs featuring air conditioning, a coffee and tea maker, a private bathroom, and a terrace. The hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool and a sun deck. Guests can enjoy a restaurant and a free Wifi connection.
Begadang | Best Hostel in Gili Air
Labelled a “big kid paradise”, Begadang is one of the best hostels in Lombok! It’s got everything to keep you entertained when you’re not exploring, from a mushroom-shaped pool to volleyball and ping pong. The hostel offers self-catering facilities, but also provides amazing food at their onsite restaurant and bar. Free high-speed wifi is available, and the rooms are a steal for the price.
Stunning Private Villa | Best Airbnb in Gili Air
This stunning Airbnb offers individual villas with a pool and garden. There are no self-catering facilities, however rooms have a refrigerator and breakfast is included in the rate. The whole island can be walked on foot, and the harbour is just ten minutes away so you can easily explore other islands.
Things to See and Do in Gili Air
- Snorkel in the crystal clear waters and explore the coral reefs.
- Learn to dive while meeting turtles and exotic fish.
- Chill out in one the bars of the island at night.
- Put on your walking shoes and take a hike around the island.
5. Tanjung – Best Area in Lombok for Families
Tanjung is a resort village located in the north of Lombok, facing the Gili Islands. It’s one of the more upscale areas of Lombok and, apart from a few resorts here and there, the neighborhood remains largely unspoiled.
Nestled here are some of the premier resorts in Lombok, ensuring a varied range of activities for your enjoyment. Options include golfing as some of the resorts boast their own golfing course, or getting a traditional Balinese massage in one of the resort spas.
Mount Rinjani, Lombok’s volcano, is located near Tanjung. Tours to climb the volcano can be organised when the seismic activity allows it. Guides will take you to the top and you can also arrange to have a proper carry your belongings. On top of the main crater, a volcanic lake boasting the same colour as the sea sits beautifully.
Rinjani Beach Eco Resort | Best Budget Hotel in Tanjung
Located just steps away from the beach, Rinjani Beach Eco Resort offers comfortable bungalows and villas in Lombok. Each room is fitted with a private bathroom, a fan and a terrace. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant serving Indonesian cuisine. A good breakfast is served in the morning.
Mina Tanjung Hotel | Best Hostel in Tanjung
This holiday park is the ideal base if you’re deciding where to stay in Lombok with your family. It sits right on the beachfront and offers stunning views of the coast. The hotel offers a lavish breakfast, as well as an onsite bar, swimming pool, and free wifi. It’s within walking distance of beaches, the harbour, and waterfalls.
Villa Sapi | Best Villa in Tanjung
This beachfront villa is the perfect base for a family vacation to Lombok. It sleeps 12 guests and features modern decor, with an indoor/outdoor design running throughout to get you back to nature. There’s a pool on-site, as well as a large kitchen and dining area.
Eco-living Bamboo Villa | Best Airbnb in Tanjung
Relax in this beautiful rustic home that has a creative, open floor plan. This home has a bamboo foundation with beautiful brick walls. It’s very spacious, with room for up to six guests. You’ll be in the perfect spot to appreciate the island vibes – surrounded by jungle, overlooking the mountains and sea.
Things to See and Do in Tanjung
- Get a traditional Balinese massage in one the resorts.
- Go golfing at the Kosaido Golf Club.
- Climb the neighboring Mount Rinjani volcano.
- Pack your beach bag and spend a day at the beach.
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Hide Yo’ Money!FAQ about Finding a Place to Stay in Lombok
Here’s what people usually ask us about the areas of Lombok and where to stay.
What To Pack For Lombok
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years..
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
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Final Thoughts On Where to Stay in Lombok
While it’s much less popular than Bali, there are lots of things to see and do in Lombok. Here, nature has mostly remained unspoilt and the beaches and the surf are some of the best in Indonesia.
If you’re still not sure where to stay in Lombok, we recommend basing yourself in Kuta. There’s a bit of everything on offer here, and it provides easy access to other areas mentioned in this guide.
Dewi Sri Guesthouse provides the best backpacker accommodation on the island. With an onsite pool, free wifi, and an epic location, you can’t go wrong!
If you’d prefer something more upmarket, we recommend the Golden Palace Hotel. Here, you can enjoy the conveniences and amenities of a hotel right in the heart of Mataram!
Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments!
- Check out our ultimate guide backpacking around Indonesia.
- Figured out where you wanna stay? Now it’s time to pick the perfect hostel in Lombok.
- Planning out an itinerary for Lombok is a great way to maximise your time.
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
- Our in-depth Southeast Asia backpacking guide will help you plan the rest of your adventure.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
