Lombok Essentials… Best Family Accommodation on the Gilis!
Every traveller to a new place needs to know the essentials… the best places to stay, where to eat, where to go, what to do, etc. In this sixth chapter of “Lombok Essentials” we bring you the best family accommodation on the popular Gili islands!
The Gilis need no introduction, as the famous islands located just off the northwest coast of Lombok attract thousands of holiday makers from around the world every year. Each of the small islands has a unique atmosphere, but they all share the benefits of clear blue waters, white sand beaches and superb diving locations just offshore.
The Gilis are suitable for all types of travellers, including families, as the waters surrounding the islands are generally calm and there’s plenty for children of all ages to do, whether it’s swimming in the pool or at the beach, snorkelling, discovering scuba diving or island-hopping on a glass-bottom boat. The dilemma for parents taking their children on holidays is always where to stay – a place that’s child-friendly, with plenty for the kids to do, without breaking the bank!
Since it first opened in the early 1990’s, Hotel Vila Ombak has set the standard for hotel accommodation on Gili Trawangan, being the first large hotel to hang out its shingle in this idyllic tropical paradise. Now the island’s largest resort is expanding again, to provide even more rooms and services, and to enhance its family accommodation.
Back in the early days, the hotel started out with a group of two-storey Lumbung Huts set down in the sand, facing a pristine stretch of beach on the south-east corner of the island. The huts were simple, but comfortable, with the traditionally inspired design of Lombok’s rice barns blending into the island environment. At that time, there were no gardens and no swimming pool; just cactus and other hardy plants, and simple stone paths set in the white sand leading down to the beach.
The hotel has come a long way since then and now comprises 60 guest rooms, with 12 Superior Lumbung Hut rooms, 12 Deluxe Lumbung Hut rooms, 12 Deluxe Family Bungalow rooms and 24 Deluxe Ombak rooms; all set in tropical gardens with a large sparkling pool on the beachfront.
The resort boasts a full range of guest facilities including a large 3-level freshwater swimming pool with a whirlpool, a two-storey restaurant and bar, a beachside bar, beachfront seafood restaurant, pizzeria, room service, a souvenir and gift shop, laundry service, money exchange, postal, facsimile and email service, and transfer and tour services. All guest rooms feature individually controlled air conditioning, in-room safe, mini bar and refrigerator, coffee and tea making facilities, satellite TV, international telephone and have large semi-open bathrooms.
The addition of the Deluxe Ombak rooms in 2005 took the standard of accommodation at Vila Ombak to the next level. The rooms are spacious and luxuriously appointed, with very large and modern semi-open garden bathrooms. In addition to extra large beds, there is also a built-in lounging area on a raised platform, with a mattress and heaps of cushions, set into the window nook of the room. This is a comfortable place to relax reading a book and looking out at the gardens, but also doubles as bedding for up to two children sharing the room with their parents.
The design of the Lumbung Huts has remained essentially the same, but the rooms have evolved in comfort and are very popular with guests, with an open living area downstairs and an airy bedroom and terrace upstairs. However, they are only suitable for couples or adults sharing, as the upstairs bedroom doesn’t have space for extra beds. To meet the needs of their ever-expanding market, Vila Ombak is currently building another 40 rooms, with 12 due for completion in time for July’s high season in Lombok.
The newly constructed Deluxe Terrace Lumbung Huts will feature a spacious downstairs bedroom with either twin beds (for families), or a queen bed (for two couples sharing), and a separate downstairs bathroom. Upstairs has a large bed and master bathroom for parents, with sun lounges on the roomy terrace leading off the bedroom.
In line with their commitment to family holidays, Vila Ombak’s “Family Plan” includes no charges for up to two children less than 12 years of age sharing the same room with their parents and using existing bedding. A baby cot is available on request. Baby-sitting services and special baby food can also be arranged.
As part of the latest revamp, guest services located near the swimming pool will be relocated and upgraded to more spacious and modern premises. The Vila Ombak Dive Academy, located at the hotel, is the only Dive Centre in Indonesia to receive an award for “Outstanding Commitment to the PADI system of education”, and is a fully accredited 5 Star Dive Centre and Gold Palm Resort. The adjoining Spa Centre combines Eastern and Western skills, offering professional beauty and body treatments, including facials and massages.
As if all this expansion isn’t enough, the Vila Ombak team plan to open a special steak house in the near future and to convert the upstairs level of their popular “Waves Restaurant” into a fine dining venue. The hotel is lucky to have over 200 metres of beautiful beachfront, overlooking the other Gilis and the Lombok mainland, and there are also plans to extend their beachfront restaurant later this year to provide more seating for diners at their nightly seafood barbecues.
No other resort on Gili Trawangan offers the range of accommodation and facilities available at Vila Ombak, which is probably why the hotel enjoys high occupancy levels all year round. With their latest expansion taking the total number of rooms in the resort to 100, Vila Ombak is easily the largest, and best value for families, resort on the Gilis.
