Owa Lodge

The room was spacious and comfortable, and the bathroom was clean and well maintained. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout, though service could be a little slow at times. Owa Lodge Lombok has a peaceful, green setting away from the busy tourist areas, which made for a pleasant stay. It’s not perfect, but it’s a good value option if you want a calm, laid-back place close to nature.

Such a peaceful stay, and everyone working there was very kind. I loved the massage, the location, and watching the water buffalo walk to the field and back each day. It’s also a good surf spot.

The beach here is clean and lovely, with plenty of surfers, and the small resort is nicely put together. We stayed four nights after six in Kuta, looking for somewhere quieter on the bay. Our villa was one of just two; my daughter slept upstairs, where it felt a little hot even with the extra AC. She liked the included breakfast, and I enjoyed the coffee. We only ate at the restaurant once since we explored other places in the countryside, but dinner was good and service was always great. You’ll want a scooter in this remote spot unless you’re fine staying put. Taxis are an option, though the costs add up quickly. We had a scooter and explored a lot. Getting there is the hard part: the roughly 1 km road from the main road is mostly unpaved and very rough, and badly needs some work, especially with rain nearly every day. Construction on both sides of the property was noisy, though the resort couldn’t control it; it may continue for another year or so. There are also two mosques quite close, and I never quite got used to the prayers five times a day. I’d have liked a small fridge in the room, since there’s space for one. The beds were comfy, but the bedding felt a bit heavy for the climate.

I meant to try lots of places on my short Lombok holiday, but after eating at Owa’s once, I kept going back there. The food really is that good, I’m not trying to butter anyone up. Whoever’s cooking has a real feel for flavour; the additions work beautifully instead of showing off. I didn’t even know I liked prawns until I had theirs. The Indonesian-style dishes are especially worth trying, each with its own twist. The chillies and herbs almost feel like part of a poem. They’ve got a good wine selection too, if my rather wordy review hasn’t made that clear. The setting is idyllic, and the music is good as well.