Hotel of the week: Sudamala Suites & Villas, Senggigi
Wednesday, 03 Dec, 2016
0
Ray Montgomery enjoys a well-earned staycation at Sudamala Suites & Villas, Senggigi in Lombok.
I am no stranger to Senggigi’s sprawling 10-km long beachfront. I’ve been coming here on and off for a dozen years or more and there is definitely a newfound buzz about the place. There are a ton of arty boutique resorts and villas now but I have found there has always been a dearth of genuine Indonesian options in the upscale to luxury segment. My faith has now been restored after a stay at Sudamala Suites & Villas, Senggigi.
My garden suite at Sudamala was generously proportioned with elegant colonial style furnishings embellished with flowing mosaic batik motifs. The interior was nicely illuminated, highlighting the contrasts in colour and texture.
Yet for me the bathroom was the big standout. In this part of the world, open air bathrooms are as ubiquitous as a plate of nasi goreng but the indoor-outdoor layout was a refreshing change from the norm. Most importantly it was huge with space to soak inside or shower under the stars among the lush foliage. Out front was a very private enclosed terrace and garden featuring an inviting daybed in the shade.
Personally for me, it is often the little details that make all the difference. The early evening turndown treats were a nice touch – warm homemade cookies and a ‘bedtime story’ from the colourful annals of Indonesian mythology.
The make-up of the resort is designed to make full use of available space. It’s not a big resort but neither do you feel hemmed in. From what I could determine after a little poking around, none of the rooms seem to be overlooked by another – even partially.
There is a subtle nod toward local Lombok ‘Sasak’ culture in the architecture, interior décor and notably the ambience. It also features an intimate spa, poolside restaurant and a small beachfront meeting room.
There was much to commend during my all too short two-night stay but top of the list was my favourite subject – the food. Olah-Olah restaurant seems to have got it all down to a fine art. The menu is chock full of inventive twists for the western palate alongside classy interpretations of Indo fare. I had the signature ‘Begibung’ banquet style sharing feast which was top notch.
Sudamala is located in a great spot. I spent the first early evening out on the breezy sun deck being lulled by the ebb and flow of the ocean, watching a hardy band of local surfers catch the final waves of the day. Although a little cloudy during my stay, I can imagine Lombok’s epic sunsets are a sight to behold from here. Service is available exactly where and when you need it but fuss-free and unobtrusive. This unhurried carefree vibe seems tailor made for an intimate function or perhaps a beach wedding.
With a little coaxing I also had opportunity to take a quick peek at Sudamala’s expansive private pool villa before checking out, which was a grand affair full of Instagram-worthy exuberant touches. While it follows the general template of locally inspired decor, you sense an artisan’s eye for detail at play.
Sudamala is not the only Indonesian born and bred hotel brand in Senggigi but is the one with the most defined ‘sense of place’ with unique cultural reference points rather than the usual pop art post-millennial leanings favoured by many.
The group’s flagship resort Sudamala Suites & Villas Sanur in Bali features its own gallery Sudakara Art Space, and follows the same path by showcasing local art, food and design characteristics (It’s on my to-do list for my next Bali trip). A third resort is being developed near the Komodo National Park and slated to open in 2017.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Clearing CSS/JS assets' cache... Please wait until this notice disappears...
Updating... Please wait...
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026