food and accommodations...

Eat

Given that the very word lombok means "chili pepper" in Bahasa Indonesia, the local cuisine isn't quite as spicy as you might expect. Probably the best known local dish is is ayam taliwang, although nobody seems to be able to agree on the exact recipe: most interpretations involve chicken topped with or stewed with a rich red sauce flavored with galangal, turmeric and tomato, which can be either mild or searingly hot.

In general, though, prices and food are much the same as anywhere else in Java or Bali. Senggigi has a few upscale international restaurants, the Gili Islands serve up banana pancakes and other backpacker favorites, and Mataram has Indonesia's easternmost McDonalds and KFC, but elsewhere it's Indonesian food all the way.

Drink

Alcoholic drinks are not available everywhere throughout the island, as Lombok is mostly Muslim. However, local supermarkets offer a variety of local as well as international beers. Note that beer is relatively expensive: a small bottle costs at least the same as a full meal in a "local" eatery.

The island's most touristic city, Senggigi, has numerous bars and clubs with the usual international favorites. The local favorite, though, is tuak, a red or white fermented palm wine with 2-5% volume.

Sleep

Nearly all of Lombok's better-quality accommodation can be found in Senggigi. Backpackers tend to travel to Gili Islands. See those articles for details; the following covers only accommodation elsewhere in Lombok.

Hotels

Mid-rangeNovotel Lombok, Mandalika Resort Pantai Putri Nyale Pujut, Central Lombok, tel. +62-370-653333, Fax +62-370-653555. Best hotel on the south coast & friendly for travelling with children - with interesting swimming pool design, good playing and sport areas for kids. The resort is located approx. 1h drive from Mataram. Rates: US$66-77/night.

Splurge

The Oberoi Lombok, Medana Beach, Tanjung West Lombok, Tel. +62-370-638444, Fax +62-370-632496, email: gm@theoberoi-lombok.com, [2]. The most expensive hotel in Lombok. An ideal hideaway due to its 'secluded' area. Rates: US$270-952/night (discounts available).

Hotel Tugu Lombok, Sire Beach, Email: lombok@tuguhotels.com or bali@tuguhotels.com [3]. . The upcoming Hotel Tugu Lombok is located on the northwest coast of the island. Neighboring the site is an 18 hole-golf course and virgin landscapes, traditional village houses and empty green fields where local life continues in today’s age much the same as it has done for centuries.

Tugu Lombok land comprises of approximately six hectares of mature palm plantations, facing the open ocean and the sunrise of Mount Rinjani. The clear blue water in front of Hotel Tugu Lombok is most ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving during the day.

Qunci Villas, Mangsit Beach, (email: stay@quncivillas.com), [4]. Qunci Villas: Peace, Tranquility and Style. Picked as Lombok's Hippest Hotel by Lonely Planet and called "Le Reve!" ("A Dream") by France's largest guide (Routard). A small resort where the staff know and greet you by your first name. Two swimming pools directly on beachfront which look as if they are part of the sea. The rooms dont have TV, in order to 'detach' the guests from the outside world. The restaurants serve very good food at reasonable price, and dinner can be enjoyed directly on the beach. Rates: US$70-95 for the hotel rooms to $135 for rooms with personal pools to $300+ for

luxury private villas.

Imaj Private Villas, Batu Layar, Sengiggi Currently has an amazing anniversary special which will save you hundreds of dollars, gorgeous villas from as little as US$10.00 per night, hurry and visit the website, special started 01/11/08 and will run until the allocated vouchers have been purchased and paid for.

Private villas

One accommodation option for which is becoming more popular, emulating what has has happened on its sister island of Bali, is private villas complete with staff, although not every place sold as a "villa" actually fits the bill. Prices vary widely: some operators claim to go as low as $30/night, but realistically you'll be looking at upwards of $200/night for anything with a decent location and a private pool, and at the top of range rents can easily go north of $1,000/night.

-Villas can also be found in Senggigi and, increasingly, the Gili Islands; see those articles for more listings. The following covers only accommodation elsewhere in Lombok.

The Anandita, Private luxury villa over 3 acres in size next to the Kosaido golf course and five minutes by boat from the Gili Islands. Nearby is the Lombok Oberoi. It boasts a 27 meter private swimming pool and a volleyball court. The villa includes four bedrooms, private pool and garden - comes with a full complement of 16 staff (private chef, maids, security, etc). Prices vary from US$830-1270 depending on season, for the entire villa.

Stay safe

Although Lombok is a safe and stable place, these tips may help you along the way: There is no written curfew, but when travelling in villages or non-tourist areas you are best to stay indoors after dark (if you're afraid of the dark, if you're not the whole world is still out there). Always have locks on the zips of your bags. Not only do they keep thieving hands out they also prevent people slipping prohibited substances in. Dress modestly in villages and religious sites; long pants or sarongs are suggested and a blouse that covers the woman's bust and shoulders should do the trick. This is not so much a safety measure, but it does save you and onlookers from embarrassment.