Why Lombok is Indonesia’s low-key gem

Left: Jo dips a toe in

When it comes to travel from Singapore, many expats often fall into the same habit. Book a flight, grab a Bintang, and boom – you’re in Bali! However, sitting just 35km to the east is Lombok – the cool, collected, tropical little sister. Quieter, calmer, and seriously underrated.

While Bali has soared into the spotlight, Lombok is one of the jewels of the Indonesian archipelago that leans back and lets its natural grace do the talking. There’s less noise, an abundance of rice fields, sprawling jungle, gentle coastline, and pockets of raw Indonesian life lived at a more soulful pace. Beauty and stillness meets depth and simplicity – it’s the slow living era you’ve been looking for.

Getting to Lombok from the red dot is easy. You can fly direct in under three hours, or hop over from Bali by air or fast boat in just over an hour. What hits you when you arrive isn’t just the scenery – it’s a whole shift. And I feel it the second I step off the fast ferry from Bali to the port at Senggigi. Still untouched by mass tourism, there are no crowds of people waggling placards and shouting “best price” at me. Instead, passengers file out calmly and within minutes, I’ve located my taxi, rolled down the window, slipped on my sunnies, and settled into 40 minutes of serene ‘Sunday driving’ towards the south.

Quality sleep incoming!

Peaceful & present

I’m heading to Amber Lombok Beach Resort, a laid-back beachfront property set on an untouched stretch of sand at Torok Bay. It’s the only hotel along this dramatic arc of talc-white coastline and is accessed via a winding descent through hillside terrain with the sparkling sea stretching ahead.

Rather than the property dominating the view, you could almost miss it. Situated against a mountainous backdrop, Amber Lombok Beach Resort blends into its setting so seamlessly that it feels like part of the landscape. With rustic textures, effortless design, and a cool dose of understated luxury, it gently reveals itself as the light catches the low rise rooftops shimmering like a quiet secret. Step inside, and the positive energy hums. This is a place that knows how to bring on a holiday vibe. Low-key elegance meets barefoot freedom, and I want to settle in fast with the crowd who are relaxed and well-heeled – families, honeymooners, and weekenders who know a good thing when they find it.

The open-air Bayside Restaurant & Bar is the communal heart of the resort. With a thatched roof, slate flooring, woven rugs, warm wood tones, and a mix of comfy sofas and proper dining tables, it’s hip yet cosy. Kids slouch low while playing board games; adults dust off sandy feet and order another cocktail. Staff are friendly, warm, and always ready to snap a selfie. The space fizzes not with chatter, but with the joy of people simply being peaceful and present in an unpretentious setting.

Dining here is chic yet casual. Breakfast includes an à la carte menu (sausage and feta on toast for the win!), a curated buffet, and egg station. Long lunches including the likes of Tuna Tataki and Garlic-Mushroom Risotto roll into golden-hour dinners of Beef Rendang and Snapper Fillet. There’s also a great kids’ menu. Some evenings feature live music or an acoustic beach set as you eat. During full moons, a fire is lit and guests sip and sway under the stars. At sunset, local farmers lead water buffalo across the beach – a daily spectacle and Instagrammer’s dream.

Next to the restaurant and bar, the infinity pool is a standout – expansive enough for laps, dips, or a paddle. Large floating cushions invite adventurous types to launch aboard (this writer respectfully declined), while cabanas and beanbags beckon for hours of lounging. If solitude is your thing, Amber Lombok Beach Resort’s private villas offer earthy seclusion.

With 65 spacious accommodations that feel more like a mini curated village than a hotel wing, guests can choose from suites and rooms with ocean, pool, or garden views, each featuring handcrafted furniture, calming neutral tones, and organic sophistication. Some villas include full kitchens, dining tables, and private plunge pools, which are fantastic for families looking to spend meaningful time together.

Let’s not forget about the activities. On-site, Mukti Wellness offers spa rituals and fitness sessions. There’s also beach volleyball, turtle conservation as part of the resort’s sustainable initiatives, and weaving workshops with local artisans practising nyesek – a manual heritage tradition. Day trips for surfing, snorkelling, paragliding, cycling, and more, can all be arranged.

Surf & yoga

Lombok itself calls to be explored. If you’re up for a challenge, the trek up Gunung Rinjani is one of Indonesia’s most rewarding climbs (rinjaninationalpark.com). Towering at 3,726 metres tall, it’s the country’s second highest volcano showcasing misty forest, crater lakes, and epic views – not for the faint of heart (or weedy of calves). Inland, waterfall-chasers will love Tiu Kelep, Benang Stokel, and Benang Kelambu, where turquoise pools sit beneath cascading jungle.

Head to the most southern tip and you’ll find Kuta drawing a crowd for yoga, boutique shopping, and surfing. With consistent waves year-round for beginners through to advanced levels, and boasting world-class point breaks to secluded reef spots, it’s easy to see why Lombok is becoming increasingly popular among surf seekers – and a mystery why it hasn’t happened sooner. To keep energy levels up, food in Kuta is fancy. Enjoy Mediterranean fare at El Bazaar Restaurant and Bar (elbazarlombok.com), Greek dishes at Elamu (elamulombok.com), or indulge in a taco or two at The Mexican in Town (facebook.com/themexicanintownkuta). Further along the coast, Selong Belanak is fabulous for surfing and sunbathing, with local warungs and restaurants watching from the sidelines. Laut Biru Bar and Restaurant (lautbirurestaurant.com) is a welcoming spot to see and be seen.

For culture hit, visit Lingsar Temple near Mataram in the west. Built in 1714, it’s one of the island’s most spiritual sites. Further north from here, the coastline offers scenic walks and quieter beaches. Batu Bolong and Mangsit are sleepy hideaways, while Senggigi is ideal for shops and cute restaurants – head to Puri Mas Beach Front Restaurant (@purimas_beachfrontrestaurant). Senggigi also remains a jumping-off point for the famous Gili Islands, Gili Trawangan, Meno, and Air, which offer a postcard paradise of no cars, white sand, and wonder.

Authentic energy

Lombok is often described as “Bali 20 years ago”, but that does it a disservice. It isn’t a throwback – in fact, its magic lies in what it hasn’t become. From arid, rugged escarpments that echo the drama of the Arabian Peninsula, to the wild southern surf coast and the spiritually steeped, mist-wrapped jungle of the interior, the island feels ancient, grounded, and proud. It’s also deeply connected to tradition. Home to the Sasak people, Lombok’s cultural identity is sacred, familial, and rooted in community. Like Indigenous cultures in Australia and New Zealand, Sasak traditions shape every part of life, from farming cycles to rituals, music, and craft. Villages like Tetebatu still practise traditional dance and weaving, guided by beliefs that blend Islam and animism.

As the sky turns crimson over Torok Bay, and I sit with my feet in the sand and a drink in hand, it’s clear that Lombok’s charm isn’t in the showy moments – it’s in her quiet confidence. Since my return, it’s this uncurated, authentic energy that has stayed with me.

The resort is the only property at Torok Bay

While development on the island inevitably grows, if the future follows Amber Lombok Beach Resort’s lead – embracing understatement, an ethical heart, and a deep respect for the land and its people – Lombok will thrive by deepening the very essence that makes it so unique. Break out of your travel rut and see it yourself – before the secret’s out.

Discover Amber Lombok Beach Resort at amber-lombok.com @amberlombok