I’ve found that accommodations generally fall into two categories when I’m holidaying. Some hotels are a base from which to explore a destination, whereas others are a destination in and of themselves. The quintessential Qunci Villas in Lombok falls into the latter category.
Only a few weeks ago I was talking to a friend about Qunci Villas and he said, “I don’t want to stay there this time. Every time I stay there, I never end up going anywhere else.” However, when I had a chance to stay at Qunci last weekend, there he was! Surely that is the mark of a great hotel… when the facilities, ambience and amenities are so complete there is no need to go elsewhere; all your wants and needs are met at one location.
And this is probably the key to Qunci’s phenomenal success ever since it opened (Qunci or Kunci is Bahasa Indonesia for “key”, by the way). The original Qunci Villas opened in Mangsit, just 5km up the coast from the main tourism resort of Senggigi, in July 2003. So great was the demand for this stylish type of accommodation, the owner began planning expansion almost immediately, opening Qunci Pool Villas in 2008.
So what does this pair of resorts have that others don’t? The key may be in the minimalist design; the Zen harmony of the buildings and the decorations used throughout. Using natural tones and clean classic lines, and combining woods, stones and flowing landscaping, nothing grates on the nerves. A smooth Teak tree trunk casually parked on the lawn as a garden seat, a slab of slate masquerading as a table top, a huge boulder hollowed out in the centre to create a unique bathtub… the taste is impeccable, creating a ambience that is at once as soothing as it is visually appealing.
The secret may also lie in the location of both hotels. The beach at Mangsit is a long sweeping curve of white sand bordering clear turquoise water, with a view across the Lombok Strait to the island of Bali floating on the horizon. The sunsets that paint the sky behind the island and silhouette the sacred volcano of Gunung Agung are sublime.
Laying on sumptuous padded lounges, gazing across the infinity swimming pools that perch over the beachfront at each property and taking in this natural splendour in the evening – or watching swimmers splash in the brilliant blue waves during the day – is a natural balm for any travel-weary soul.
Discreet waiters hover on the periphery, ready to take care of your every need. Another towel, a happy hour cocktail, a snack, a massage… it’s all on tap; poolside, beachside or in the air-conditioned serenity of your room.
Then again, it could be the rooms themselves that lure travellers into a blissful languor. Again, the understated minimal lines of design, spiced up with startling artwork on the walls, soft comfortable sheets and towels, luxurious beds, lounges built into the windows and private terraces that provide glimpses out to the ocean. The bathrooms with clean modern fittings and classic pale stone, open to the sky with huge rain showers, complete the picture of elegant comfort.
The Pool Villas provide still less reason to venture outside, even as far as the pool. Cunningly concealed behind discreet walls and clever plantings, the spacious one and two bedroom villas face onto their own private plunge pools. Sun lounges on wooden decking, draped with towels and pillows, await tired bodies. Room service is only a phone call away.
If you can drag yourself the few metres required to reach the beachfront restaurants at either resort, the effort is rewarded with delicious cuisine prepared with skill and beautifully presented. Fresh seafood is, of course, a main feature, but the interjection of well-prepared Thai dishes and local Indonesian specialties is a pleasing surprise. The wine list is small, but adequate and of good quality, as are the cocktails and fresh juices.
Enjoy the ambience of the restaurants from the comfort of padded banquettes with discreet lounge music playing in the background, or opt for the candlelit tables on the beachfront with the sound of waves as your music. For the ultimate in romance, splash out on a romantic dinner for two in a curtain-draped pavilion on the beach, surrounded by flickering candles and scattered Frangipani, while being served a delicious four course feast by your personal waitperson. Did I mention the ultimate in romance?!
As I said in the beginning, some hotels are a place to lay your head at the end of a long day exploring, and some places are a welcome destination at the end of a long journey. If the latter is what you are seeking, the quintessential Qunci may be the key: a study in chic… elegant, understated, but never pretentious.
