It’s that time of the year again, when we get together to celebrate the festive season, whether it’s a family-style Christmas, a romantic start to the New Year, or a week of partying in the tropics. This is the time when hotels and restaurants entice guests with special deals and festive fare not available at other times of the year, and this year Lombok turns on the celebrations with a fantastic array of choices to make your holidays extra special. It’s not too late to hop on a plane and enjoy the best festive season ever on our paradise isle…
THE SHERATON SENGGIGI RESORT, set in beautiful gardens right on the beachfront of Senggigi Bay, this 5-star resort has a range of festive season packages starting from Rp 3 325 000 for 3 nights, including dinner for two persons. Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner, including Smoked Salmon, Fresh Seafood, Baby Spatchcock, Grilled Lamb Rack, Roast Turkey and much more is Rp 350 000++ per person. Be entertained by a Children’s Choir singing Christmas Carols. Christmas Day has a full programme for families, including Santa Claus and prizes for the children, a real Gingerbread House, and Pizza Cooking Classes to keep the kids entertained. Christmas Dinner, at Rp 350 000++, features a delicious 5-course set menu at Kebun Anggrek Restaurant, with live acoustic music. On New Year’s Eve join “An Evening with Batik” Gala Dinner Garden Beach Party, with cocktails at the poolside, a Gala Dinner at Garden Beach View, Fashion Show, Live Band, Traditional Indonesian Dances, Fireworks and Door Prizes. Price is Rp 1 188 000++, including cocktails.
THE SENGGIGI BEACH HOTEL, a large landscaped property on Senggigi Beach which also comprises the luxurious Pool Villa Club for exclusive holidays as well as a range of garden and beachside bungalows, has great value packages for festive holidays. Stay in a Garden View room and enjoy the deluxe Christmas Eve Gala Buffet on the beachfront, or the “Table d’Hote” Christmas Dinner at the stylish Beachcomber’s Brasserie on Christmas night, plus breakfast, from Rp 900 000 per couple. Christmas Eve Gala Buffet on the beachfront is Rp 275 000++, while the Christmas Dinner “Table d’Hote” at Beachcomber’s is Rp 250 000++ for 5-courses, with delicious choices. The New Year’s Eve Party promises to be one of the best on the island, with a Gala Buffet Dinner and party on the beachfront with one of Lombok’s best live bands: “Not Bad Band”. New Year’s Eve Packages start from Rp 2 350 000 for 3 nights, including the NY celebrations, per couple. If you’re already in town, join in the big party on the beach and dance the night away with Not Bad Band for Rp 350 000 (including Rp 250 000 bar credits)!
THE SANTOSA VILLAS AND RESORT, a stunningly newly-renovated resort located on the beachfront between the above two properties with a wide selection of rooms and bungalows, as well as private villas and suites, is offering 2 nights accommodation, including breakfasts, a dinner at either of the Resort’s two restaurants, Cocktail Party at the newly-opened Gili Lounge, plus the New Year’s Eve party, from Rp 2 410 000 nett per couple. Celebrate on New Year’s Eve with “1001 Nights Party” for just Rp 125 000 nett per person, with DJ Dinno Lokollo (EARS Production – Jakarta) and live music by Yankees Band, MC and attractive dancers, Door Prizes and Midnight Countdown with Fireworks.
THE HOLIDAY RESORT, a beautiful property on the beachfront in Mangsit – five minutes north of Senggigi – with fabulous gardens and swimming pool, is offering families 2 nights/3 days in a Garden Chalet for just Rp 1 950 000, for 2 adults and 2 children. The package includes a special set dinner, airport transfers, breakfasts, pony rides for the kids, free use of the fitness centre and more. The Holiday Resort Christmas Eve Dinner is always great value and this year features a “Christmas Buffet Carvery Night”on 24 December at the poolside. Enjoy roast turkey and an exclusive menu with loads of festive fare, accompanied by live entertainment, for just Rp 135 000++ per person. The resort celebrates an environmentally-friendly New Year’s Eve with a special Turtle Release from their turtle hatchery and a tree planting ceremony, followed by a Cocktail Party and Gala Buffet Dinner, with displays of traditional and modern dance, live music, lucky draws and games… all for just Rp 650 000++!
QUNCI VILLAS AND QUNCI POOL VILLAS, two ultra-stylish properties on the beach at Mangsit with two equally good beachfront restaurants, Quah and Quali, have special festive Christmas Dinners at either restaurant for $45++ each, including cocktails and bottle of wine for two. Savour the tastes created by the talented Qunci chefs, with delicious 4-course menus with choices including Pan-fried Swordfish and Scallop, Island Spiced BBQ Chicken Breast, Grilled Beef with BBQ Orange Marinade, and more. On New Year’s Eve, dine in style with creative 4-course menus available at Quali for $60++ or at Quah for $50++, inclusive of a bottle of wine per couple.
SQUARE RESTAURANT, Lombok’s best fine dining restaurant located in the centre of Senggigi, tempts diners with a choice of gourmet Christmas Dinner menus from Executive Chef, Wayan (ex Mozaic) at Rp 300 000++ per person. The mouth-watering six course dinners each feature Amuse Bouche, Foie Gras and tropical sorbets, with choices of Ocean Scallops, Beef Tataki, Grilled Salmon, Tenderloin of Beef, Roast Turkey Breast, plus Square’s delicious Fallen Chocolate Cake or Orange & White Chocolate Souffle for dessert. Another delicious choice of 7 course menus are presented on New Year’s Eve, for Rp 375 000++ per person. Choices include Seafood Terrine, Fresh Tuna Tart, Norwegian Salmon, Yabby with Bok Choy, Lobster with Vodka Infused Spicy Sauce, Grilled Beef Tenderloin, and Roasted Lamb Rack, plus much more. Afterward, join the famous annual New Year’s Eve Party at Marina Café and dance the New Year in!
RESTAURANT TAMAN, Senggigi’s most popular restaurant, with relaxed garden dining and comfortable balcony dining overlooking the Senggigi strip, is always a good choice for Christmas. Traditional Christmas Dinner is available for Christmas Eve, as well as Christmas Lunch and Dinner. Dine on Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce, or Roast Lamb with Mint Sauce and Gravy, accompanied by roast vegetables and all the trimmings for just Rp 120 000++. The three-course menu includes smoked salmon or prawn cocktail entrées, plus a choice of Home-made Apple Pie with Cream and Ice Cream or Christmas Pudding with Brandy Butter Sauce. Price includes a complimentary glass of red or white house wine to accompany your meal. Celebrate a real Christmas with all your best-loved traditional fare in delightful surroundings!
THE BEACH HOUSE on Gili Trawangan, with its perennially popular beachfront bar and restaurant, is offering a “Traditional Buffet Style Christmas Lunch and Dinner” on Christmas day. Traditional Christmas fare includes Honey Glazed Imported Leg Ham with all the trimmings, Roast Turkey with Traditional Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce, Roast Potatoes and Baked Vegetables with Gravy and White Sauce, and Home-made Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce. The Traditional Christmas Buffet is unbeatable value at just Rp 100 000 ++ per person. Choose from a wide selection of beers, cocktails, spirits and imported wines from the special temperature-controlled wine cellar to complete your Christmas feast.
HOTEL VILLA OMBAK, on Gili Trawangan, does Christmas and New Year in grand style once again, starting with “Sweet Christmas on the Beach” on Christmas Eve. Enjoy the Festive Season Buffet, created by the award-winning Vila Ombak chefs, beachside for $55++ per person (children half price). Price includes pre-dinner cocktail, live entertainment, visit from Santa and gifts. The Vila Ombak New Year’s Eve Island Party has become a legendary celebration on the island, with traditional dancing performances, music by a top DJ and a live band, Go Go and Fire Dancers, and more. Price is $65++ (children half price) and includes two cocktails, a bountiful Gala Buffet with a mind-boggling variety of choices, complimentary Champagne Toast at midnight and fireworks over the ocean. NYE at Vila Ombak promises an unforgettable start to 2009!
For full details of Lombok events, where to go, how to get there and more, visit Lombok’s most comprehensive website at www.thelombokguide.com. Whatever you do, and wherever you go, to celebrate… Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year from those of us in Lombok!
