Hotel Tugu Lombok
 

When I was researching hotel options on the board some people expressed interest in hearing our opinion of Hotel Tugu on Lombok as it is new and markets itself as a "different experience". Different it is. Well, our reaction was mixed, but more negative than positive. First let me get some caveats out of the way that probably influenced our opinion. It was very hot and humid with very little breeze even though it is on the beach. Time of year, early December that is probably typical and not the fault of the hotel. The hotel design does not address this very well. I don't expect air conditioning everywhere and the hotels we stayed in in Bali did not have air conditioning in public areas but no ceiling fans anywhere including dining room?

Stunning architecture and design. Lots of artistic touches almost the feeling of an art museum. However, a lot of the antique furniture looked great but was completely uncomfortable to actually use.

Bagavaht Gita Suite was huge if you consider all the outside space that is part of your private area. The bedroom itself was very large with a huge canopy bed and sitting/dining area. The only air conditioned space is the bedroom itself with no ceiling fan. Nice bale daybed and very small plunge pool outside the door. Our biggest problem with the room itself was the bathroom situation. Everything is outside including the toilet. In cooler weather this may not have been an issue but when the simple act of brushing your teeth results in dripping with sweat it became an issue with us. During mid day it was an absolute sauna. We are wimps I guess but is something not expected for that kind of money. I think the hotel should mention this not just say you have an outdoor rain shower as a romantic selling point. No hot water either, not that we really wanted any.

The grounds are very sparse with not much lush vegetation thus very little shade. Lombok seemed much drier than Bali and the grounds may mature with time. The location is very isolated and you are kind of stuck there with no other dining options. The surrounding area was very poor farming areas and golf course appears to be not cared for anymore. Beach was nice for walking with aqua socks but the water is very shallow and not very good for swimming. No kayaks or hobiecats available and to do any water activities such as snorkeling you have to hire the boat to go to the Gili. Pool was very large with a very unique design but the water was very cloudy and made us a bit uneasy, not being able to see your feet in a swimming pool does not seem right to me.

Food and service were OK. A few times the food did not seem very fresh, stick with the grilled local fresh fish it was great. They let you know you can dine anywhere on the grounds at anytime but due to the heat it was not very appealing to dine outside. Even in the dining room without ceiling fans it was very uncomfortable. I am sure with a nice ocean breeze the dining would be romantic and fun. I wish we could have participated. They did do a very nice room service.

The Muslim call to prayer is an issue. Should have known when a hotel puts a set of ear plugs next to the bed. It was very loud and you can not sleep through it. Interesting part of the culture but you should know before booking you will be waking up at 4:00am.

Overall we thought the hotel was all about the design for the eyes and not so much for real comfort of the guests. A bit contrived and not very real. Just one opinion.

Thanks for your review. I find it very helpful.

Some parts of Lombok are hotter and drier than others (I'm thinking of the area where the Novotel is). I remember the Novotel as very hot, no shade. The other side of the island was lusher and cooler. Is Tugu located in the area near the Novotel?

I have stayed at the Tugu on Bali - sounds like a similar experience to the new one on Lombok - bathroom outside, huge bed canopy bed, dine anywhere on the grounds etc. We did not have a problem with the heat. In fact, since the area around our plunge pool was so shady, it was actually kind of chilly.

Thanks for reporting - we plan to visit Lombok next November.

The Tugu is on the west coast of island right across from the Gili. The Oberoi is on the other end of beach. I believe it is north of Seniggi (sp?) area. The other thing to mention about Lombok is the shocking difference between it and Bali. On Bali there is artistic expression to be seen wherever you look. The smallest village will have an amazing temple with all the stone carvings and intricate doors and woodwork. That is part of what makes Bali so special. We saw no sign of any artistic expression on Lombok the buildings were very plain and utilitarian. Other than the raw mountain scenery not much to gaze upon. Maybe we were not in the right place but something to consider before going to Lombok.

interesting observations....the only two things i disliked about the qunci were the bathrooms which had walls and a roof but also a 12 inche open area below the roof for air to circulate, making them hot.....and the fact that there were not steps into the pool....in the hot weather i think the bathroom situation might not be great...

i think of lombok as bali 30+ years ago before all the tourist structure was set up

Lombok is certainly well behind Bali in all the tourist infrastructure and lacks the crowds of Bali especially the beach areas. They are building a new airport and many developers are looking into building on Lombok. I am sure the current economy will slow that down. Not sure the cultural differences will change between the 2 islands. Bali's unique form of Hindu religion, mythology and art that permeates all aspects of life is what draws us back there even with the crowds. I would recommend Lombok at this point for a total escape type of experience.

No question, Bali and Lombok are completely different cultures. Most people on Lombok are Muslim rather than Hindu like Bali. So I wouldn't expect the cultural differences to change. There has been talk about more development for quite a while now, and I expect it will come eventually.

Lombok is more of a total escape expereince, I agree. The infrastructure has been compared with Bali many years ago. When I first visited Ubud in the 1980s, it has just gotten electricity. A fair number of the interior villages on Lombk still don't have electricity.

You crossed the Wallacean line on the Lombok Straits betw Bali and Lomobk and as Wallace noted so long ago, it denotes the change in flora and fauna which is so visible betw Bali and Lombok. It is such a pleasure to read your grand review of Lombok. May it serve well to keep the Gucci Chanel DG crowds of over-spending, shopping obsessed hordes away from Lombok. Lombok is a wonderful place. May it never have another five star hotel or shopping mall. May the real travellers use nature's own pool - THE OCEAN - for actual swimming - where you can see real black coral and giant sea turtles 200' off shore from where your hotel was. But stay away, please just go to The Pen and J.K. Marriots which are more comfortable.

I swam in the ocean (clearer water than Tugu pool) along with another guest and the coral was dead, dead and dead for a long ways out a lot further than 200 feet. I wanted to kayak out further but it was not available at this hotel. I hope Lombok does not suffer the duty free shopping and binge drinking party invasion too. I'll try to act like a real traveler the next time I spend all day finding a small village's full moon ceremony to participate in again when next in Bali. I will stay at the Pen as I did in Hong Kong this trip but never a JW Marriott, please!

Lombok is NOT Bali. Never was and never will be. The topography is vastly different (as merck notes demarcated by the Wallace Line)and the culture/religion is vastly different. Lush and tropical vs dry and desert-y. Hindu vs Muslim.

Lombok had a momentary upturn during the last boom in the early 90's but lapsed after the 98 meltdown. It seems to be recovering now and the success of a handful of resorts is heartening in what is an extremely depressed economy.

The beaches are good, but it's true that the coral and marine life have been decimated.

Culturally, it's also somewhat baren. There are a few indiginous crafts -- like pottery and basket weaving -- but as a general statement Islam just doesn't lend itself to a lot of overt religious ceremony the way Hinduism does.

Even within tropical Islam Lombok follows a conservative branch. Evidently it has recently received a huge infusion of cash from a Saudi group who plan to build a mega resort complex catering to middle-eastern tourists. That's where the money is coming from for the airport and infrastructure development. I don't find this particularly good news for Lombok.

Actually, the planned mega investment was from an arm of Dubai World, so it's probably off the table.

Thanks Marmot I think you expressed what we intuitively felt in Lombok, "Culturally, it's also somewhat barren". I'm sure Lombok is not if you have time to really travel and experience it, it's just not grandly on display around every corner the way Bali is.
Thanks and good travels.

I had something I remembered from another travel experience that relates to resort development and luxury vs. "real travel" and it has stayed with me. When in South Africa on a safari trip, I actually felt a little uncomfortable enjoying all the comforts and luxuries heaped on us at a particular lodge. When I had seen the relative poverty of the villages around the lodge. At the camp fire in the evening the subject came up and one of the local trackers told me the more staff per guest meant more employment more education and food on the table for his village and was thankful that people traveled around the world to see the beauty of his land. If we were self camping his village would not see near as much benefit. Was he kissing up to the guest, I don't know, but it is something that has stuck with me.

scf, I'm not a fan of the Tugus (though I've never been to the one in Lombok). As you describe, they're long on decor and short on function. I'm actually surprised that they would not offer an inside bathroom in addition to the outside shower. I LOVE the Balinese outdoors shower, but most contemporary resorts, especially in the Tugu price category, allow you the option of an enclosed, airconditioned bathroom --- with HOT WATER.