When I first came to Lombok in the early 1990’s, there were hardly any large hotels in Senggigi. On the beautiful large bay that forms the centre of Senggigi sat three hotels – the Senggigi Beach, the Intan Laguna and the newly opened Sheraton.
Never having been to Lombok before, we were apprehensive about how primitive the place might be and what standard of accommodation we were likely to find. We’d booked the Intan Laguna from Australia, having chosen the hotel from a travel brochure that boasted a total of five hotels in Lombok. Our choice was based solely on the photo of the pool… however bad the rooms may be; the pool looked great. We needn’t have worried – the Intan Laguna was a fine hotel.
The bungalows were spacious and comfortable, with fabulous views over Senggigi Bay. The location was excellent, being right in the centre of Senggigi and within easy walking distance to the shops and restaurants, and the art markets were a short stroll along the beach at sunset. The pool was everything promised in the brochure and many an evening was spent at the swim up pool bar, listening to the gamelan players who came every night to entertain us as the sun sank behind Bali across the Strait.
We returned every year after that; sometimes twice a year if we could escape from our jobs. We always stayed in “our” bungalow at the Intan Laguna and the staff got to know us, as did the managers who came and went over the years. Senggigi grew, new hotels and restaurants were opened, roads were paved and, by 1995, Lombok was riding high on a tourism wave that looked like it was set to end up the same as Bali.
In late July 1995 we stayed at our favourite bungalow at the Intan for a couple of weeks, before venturing off on a two week boat trip to Komodo and Flores. We checked out of our comfortable Lombok “home”, leaving our bags in storage at the hotel. Two weeks later we returned, tired and in need of air conditioning and a good shower, only to find that every room in the Intan was booked. Silly us – we didn’t reserve a room, as we didn’t know when we’d be coming back from Flores. Such was the high season in Lombok that year; almost every hotel was fully booked for the month of August.
Tourism in Lombok was booming and the Intan Laguna had grown to be one of the most popular hotels on the island. Over the years, more facilities had been added and, in 1995 a new two storey wing of rooms was built to accommodate the endless stream of holiday makers. All over the island, development was booming and it seemed investors couldn’t build hotels fast enough to meet the burgeoning demand. Then came the Asian economy crisis of 1997.
Almost overnight the wave came crashing down. The tourism industry was hit hard and investors were left with properties that had decreased in value by up to 80%. The Indonesian rupiah was barely worth the paper it was printed on.
For many hotels in Lombok, the economy crisis sounded the death knell. They struggled to keep afloat but the outbreak of rioting in 2000, followed by the Bali Bombings in 2002 did too much damage for many to ever recover.
I had moved to Lombok permanently in 1999 and watched in dismay as tourism ground to a halt and the lovely Intan Laguna gradually declined over the years. The new two storey wing was only ever partially opened, but then was shut down to economise. As things got worse, rooms were closed and facilities downgraded. Even the glorious gardens seemed to wither and look neglected.
By 2007, Lombok was well in recovery and tourism was on the way back up, but it was obvious the Intan Laguna was finished. Then the Intan Group exercised a stroke of genius, selling off their three hotels in Bali and re-branding with a change of management and image. All of a sudden there was a new focus at the Intan Laguna. A temporary wall went up, screening the hotel from the street, and the sound of masonry crashing, drilling, grinding and hammering went on for many months.
When the veil was lifted a few months ago, the reborn Santosa Villas and Resort was revealed in all her glory. The majestic entrance is crowned by a large pool and fountains, fronting the magnificent lobby (to be unveiled later this month). Adjacent to the fountains is a state-of-the-art complex housing the huge conference room, which is capable of hosting up to 1000 people in theatre formation. With smaller meeting rooms available and a clever design that allows various configurations, the resort boasts seven different meeting room options: nicely positioning itself for the growing MICE market.
Rooms and bungalows have been demolished or totally remodelled, including the two storey wing, which now houses 109 superior and 48 terrace rooms. Some of the bungalows were remodelled to create 30 super-stylish deluxe suites. Best of all are the 7 private villas, each featuring walled courtyards and private swimming pools. Inside, the furniture and fittings are luxurious, with liberal use of marble and natural stone providing a cool and chic atmosphere. Every amenity is taken care of, from the delightful “rain showers” to the huge 42” theatre-style satellite televisions. A separate living room, tea and coffee making facilities in a mini kitchen alcove, walk-in robe and dressing room, plus the two decks lining the pool, create plenty of living aspects designed for relaxing in style. The private villas are a home away from home that few would want to leave.
Renovations have just been completed on the Nusantara Restaurant, while the poolside Seaside Restaurant is a gorgeous space created from stone and wood, overlooking the beach. When the lobby is completed in the next month or so, the lobby lounge will create a third venue, complete with fish ponds and sparkling water features.
So is the cycle of life, death and rebirth that permeates the Indonesian psyche. While the Intan Laguna may be dead, from the ashes has risen the Santosa Villas and Resort… a monument to smart business and a jewel in the crown of Senggigi.
