For many people, the way they start a New Year is symbolic of their dreams and aspirations for the following year. For some, it’s a time of setting new goals, making new commitments and starting a new way of life; so the choice of how and where they start the year becomes the first step in a new journey.
Certainly, starting a New Year on a beautiful tropical island would be attractive for most people; but it’s how you want to make your symbolic start that is important. For some, it would be greeting the first sunrise of the New Year from the top of one of the highest volcanoes in SE Asia – Mt Rinjani, on Lombok Island. For others, it may be the exhilaration of diving off a boat into crystal clear waters teaming with colourful tropical fish. For romantics, an evening of dining by candlelight with their special someone and waking up to a new year in paradise. For many, it is joining with a crowd to dance and party the night away, complete with midnight countdowns, fireworks and the shouts of “Happy New Year!” as the clocks ticks a new year into being.
Whatever your preferences, Lombok has the place and the atmosphere for all of these things and more. With a full moon (actually a “Blue Moon”, as this is the second full moon in December) and a partial lunar eclipse falling on the evening of 31 December, this New Year’s Eve will be a time to remember. Read on for ideas on where to spend your New Year in Lombok… for a once in a Blue Moon experience!
New Year’s Eve at the Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort is always a special occasion and a fun night for guests with a big party on the beachfront at the luxurious resort. Enjoy delicious festive foods at the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner and be entertained with traditional dancing, live music and entertainment at the Tropical Evening Party by the poolside. There are also lots of great door prizes to be won and, as the countdown begins, be entranced by the spectacular fireworks show on the beachfront. Price is Rp 1 199 000 ++ per person, including Gala Dinner and all entertainment.
Santosa Villas and Resort invites guests to celebrate the New Year with “The Sensational Party”! Special Indonesian guest star Tia Afi will be performing and is sure to draw a big crowd, plus there is live music by Yellow Jacket Band, a guest DJ performance and displays by traditional dancers. Tickets for dinner and the show are Rp 850 000 nett per person. It’s sure to be an exciting night with non-stop entertainment, door prizes, a midnight countdown and fireworks.
The Holiday Resort in Mangsit always kicks off the New Year with a fabulous night of wining, dining and entertainment and this year they celebrate with “New Year’s Eve in Kampung Lombok”. Dine on a huge array of local and international foods and scrumptious desserts from the talented kitchen team and enjoy a night of entertainment with Ida live band, traditional dancing and the Amos Magic Show. Price is just Rp 750 000 ++ and includes lucky draws and a fantastic fireworks show.
Square Restaurant is offering three different and tempting options for a stylish start to the New Year. There is a choice of two different gourmet 6 course set dinners for Rp 450 000++ or Rp 350 000++. Alternatively, get some friends together and join in the New Year BBQ Buffet, with a range of delicious foods for just Rp 200 000 nett per person. There will be live music at the BBQ Buffet, while set dinner guests will enjoy listening to live classic piano during their meal.
Marina Café, Senggigi’s most popular nightspot, is the place to celebrate New Year’s Eve until late. Dance the night away to live music by Hot Plate Band from Jakarta, great top 40 hits by guest DJ Nellodies from Jogjakarta, and on stage entertainment with casual dancers from Jakarta. The big New Year’s Eve Party draws crowds from around the island to dance and party ‘til the wee hours.
If you are on the south coast, the Novotel Lombok is the perfect place to celebrate with the “Nights in White Satin” party. The evening starts off with a cocktail party, followed by a Gala Dinner on the beautiful Kuta beachfront. Enjoy a fabulous fashion show, “Collaborations Traditional Dances”, a bar tender exhibition, and the chance to win prizes in the lucky draw. Entertainment is included, with live music followed by a DJ music party until late. At midnight, join in the countdown and celebrate with a champagne toast, while watching a special Boat Parade and an amazing fireworks show over the beach. Dress code and party theme is white. This is sure to be a special evening to remember at the south coast’s most stylish resort.
Lastly, for a different and special way to start the New Year, why not escape to your own secret island? Every year Secret Island Resort on Gili Gede (just off Lombok’s beautiful southwest coast) celebrates New Year’s Eve with an exclusive and intimate party far from the madding crowd. Enjoy a traditional roast turkey dinner and drinks for just Rp 250 000 per person and afterwards gather under the stars for a fantastic fireworks display over the water. There are only two small resorts on this large, peaceful island, so it’s easy to relax into the quiet charm of this lovely place. Simple but comfortable accommodation starts from Rp 200 000 per night. In the morning, watch the sun rise over the Lombok mainland, walk along the deserted beach, or charter the Resort’s speedboat and go fishing, snorkelling and island hopping around the stunning secret islands of the southwest.
For many, there’s no better place to be on New Year’s Eve than on Gili Trawangan, the most popular island off the northwest coast of Lombok. Famous as a party island, the last night of the year sees almost the entire island become one big party, as all the crowds and parties merge together along the beachfront. Join in the fun at any of the numerous hotels, restaurants and bars or choose to celebrate in style at one of the island’s top venues below:
The Beach House needs no introduction as one of the most popular beachfront restaurants and bars on the island. For New Year they are offering their famous and spectacular BBQ with fresh lobsters, imported Australian beef, fresh whole local and imported fish and complimentary salad bar. There will be imported Champagne and sparkling wines to toast in the New Year and at midnight enjoy the fireworks show in conjunction with the Irish bar, Tir Na Nog.
ko ko mo Resort offers guests an evening of fine wining and dining, with a special 4-course gourmet menu with a glass of Lychee Champagne Cocktail for Rp 500 000++ per guest. Relax at elegant tables on the beachfront and enjoy a feast of delicacies such as fresh imported oysters in a variety of styles, Foie Gras, Beef Tartare, Sashimi, Beef Wellington, Lobster, Veal and decadent desserts created by the in-house bakery. After a fine feast, join the happy crowd at The Beach House for midnight toasts and fireworks.
Stylish Scallywags Resort, between the Beach House and Vila Ombak, is offering guests a romantic seafood dinner right on the white sand beachfront. Dine by candle light on fresh scrumptious seafood with your special someone, with a million stars overhead and the music of the waves at your side. From 23 December right through to New Year, Scallywags is also offering a Roast Meat Carvery right on the beachfront, under their new “Aladdin Marquee Tents”. Top quality meats, complete with traditional accompaniments… who doesn’t love a real roast dinner?
Party central, Horizontal Lounge, is sure to be packed with movers and shakers at “The Party”. Start the night with a special Gourmet Gala Dinner for Rp 200 000++ per person, then party from sunset to sunrise with non-stop music and entertainment. Dance to music by international DJ’s, including a special exclusive DJ set by top International DJ Hazy (UK), be entertained by dancers, gather around the bonfire on the beach and watch the laser show and fireworks. Party animals will enjoy free cocktails, free canapés and snacks, and free shots, as well as lots of free giveaways throughout the night. In true Horizontal style, the party will continue into New Year’s Day, with an all day beach party!
New Year’s Eve at top Gili T resort, Hotel Vila Ombak, is legendary with the “Big Bang Party” and a full night’s entertainment on the beach in front of the resort. Start with cocktails by the pool before indulging in a sumptuous banquet at the Lombok Heritage Gala Dinner, with an amazing variety of foods including lots of fresh seafood, roast carvery and delicious international dishes prepared by the award-winning kitchen team. There will be a parade of traditional instruments and music, traditional dancers, a live band, DJ performances and sexy dancers performing on the specially constructed stage. Price is US $100 nett per person and includes the chance to win fabulous door prizes. At midnight, be spellbound by the huge fireworks extravaganza Vila Ombak provides for the island every year.
