Bukit Tiga Lima Boutique Hotel

We chose a more expensive place because reliable warm water mattered to us, but the room didn’t feel worth the price. It was nice enough and had a good view, yet the hot water lasted around five minutes before turning cold for the rest of our stay. That’s a real problem in chilly Sembalun, especially compared with the rest of Lombok. The towels were very dirty, and we had to ask for replacements. The receptionist was friendly and tried to help, though there wasn’t much they could do.

Food nearby is limited, so bring some snacks or eat early in the village before heading up. Once there, the quiet hills near Sembalun make a lovely place to unwind. We stayed in one of the cozy, minimalist A-frame cabins. It was clean, the bed was comfortable, the bathroom was modern and worked well, and we had hot water and surprisingly decent WiFi despite the remote setting. The mountain scenery was incredible, especially at sunrise as the fog lifted from the peaks. We also appreciated the fresh air, friendly and helpful staff, and the good value. It would suit couples, solo travelers, or anyone road-tripping through Lombok who wants a scenic stop. I’d recommend it for a Sembalun visit or a trip to Mount Rinjani.

The room was clean, the view of the hill right outside was nice, and the staff were friendly. We even asked the kitchen to cook vegetables we’d bought nearby, and they did. The room wasn’t ready when we arrived at noon, so we came back at 2 pm. It was extremely hot inside. There’s no air conditioning, which is understandable up in the mountains, but the design seemed to soak up the sun’s heat and hold onto it, with no ventilation. We couldn’t rest until around 5 pm, even though it was already cool outside and the sun was gone. The room stayed hot.

The sunrise in the morning was beautiful, and even though the hotel is beside the road, we didn’t hear much noise at night. The view is amazing too, with huge mountains behind the hotel and vegetable fields in front. I liked the modern, clean room alongside its vintage feel, and when we asked for an extra pillow, it arrived straight away. Breakfast wasn’t really my kind of morning food, so I think that could be improved. Still, I had an incredible stay in such a picturesque setting and would recommend it.