Catappa Village Lombok

Getting here is easy, just a 5 or 10 minute ride in a little catamaran. Once there, we found a quiet, romantic place with sturdy bungalows, a gorgeous sea view, and the water just a few meters away. Our room was spotless and comfortable, with fresh drinking water each day. The staff even kept extra Nescafe packets there for our early starts, which suited our American coffee habit perfectly. We loved the restaurant menu, especially the fruit platter. The staff were so friendly, and the owner was thoughtful and kind. We also fell for the two sweet dogs, Choco Pie and Brandy. We went snorkeling with a wonderful, considerate guide, who helped me feel at ease since it was my first time. They took photos and videos of us in the water and gave them to us for free. This was easily our best stay in Indonesia, even better than places we had stayed in Bali and Java. We’re already hoping to come back soon.

The only thing I’d change is breakfast. More variety or a few extra local choices would be nice. Otherwise, my stay was very satisfying. The room was spacious, clean, and well cared for, with a comfortable bed. The garden and tropical design added to the calm feeling throughout the property. The staff were kind and ready to help whenever I needed something. Catappa Village is a lovely quiet escape in Lombok, especially if you want to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. Thanks for a nice stay!

We spent five nights here, and the kids had a great time with the private pool, soccer, swings, hammocks, and games. Alvin and the staff were kind and helpful throughout our stay. The food was fresh and delicious. It’s a beautiful resort, and I’d happily recommend it. We hope to return someday.

The restaurant food was fresh, well seasoned, and very good. We also enjoyed the trip to the secret Gili, which the resort organizes for guests staying more than four nights. The guide was great and took underwater snorkeling photos. Staff were friendly, though communication was sometimes difficult. The rest of the stay was disappointing enough that we cut our paid booking from four nights to two. We weren’t refunded for the unused nights, but we didn’t have to pay the restaurant bill. The photos on the booking site made the place look newer and better maintained than it was. The beach was smaller than expected and nearly vanishes at high tide. At low tide, we mostly saw silt. The bay was noisy, with ships passing constantly, including at night. Our cottage felt neglected. The glass door was smeared, and it shut with a clumsy rope that took time to fasten. We didn’t feel sure it was secure. Mice ran around inside at night, which made us feel unsafe. We knew the cottage was in the woods, but poor workmanship and unattended details made it hard to enjoy. The main pool water was green and didn’t look inviting. The resort’s isolation should be made clearer when booking. You arrive by boat, there are no other places in this part of the bay, and getting anywhere means taking a boat and then renting a scooter. It really is secluded. Not everyone on staff speaks English, and arrangements weren’t always reliable. We asked for a cab at an agreed time, but it was ordered for a different time. We had chosen a fixed price, but the driver didn’t know about it. He kept stopping, seemed to be trying to take us on a longer, much more expensive route, and called the resort. It was stressful, and left a bad feeling. If you care less about the accommodation and want something more like a hippie settlement than a resort, you might enjoy it. But there isn’t much to do, and there’s no alternative restaurant nearby. We weren’t expecting luxury, but the real conditions didn’t match the description or pictures. It felt like an old bamboo bungalow with a floor that seemed as if it might give way if you jumped, beside an ugly, noisy bay. The price was high for what you get. For that money, you could find a genuinely elegant bungalow on the coast.