editorial

Words by Leyla Rose 
December 19, 2024
On the Indonesian island of Lombok, a stylish beachside bolt-hole channels the laid-back vibe of its scenic surroundings.
<figure id="attachment_141134" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-141134" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-141134 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Sira-Lombok-Exterior-Aerial.jpg" alt="An aerial view of The Sira, a beachfront resort on the Indonesian island of Lombok." width="1200" height="900" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-141134" class="wp-caption-text">The Sira offers direct access to a white-sand beach on Lombok’s northwest coast.</figcaption></figure>
While fabulous new hotels pop up in Bali all the time, they’re a rarer breed on Lombok, its quieter neighbor to the east. So the opening of a top-tier Marriott property on the latter island’s northwest coast feels like something to celebrate.
Nestled along the soft white sands of its namesake beach, <a href="http://thesiralombok.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort &amp; Spa, Lombok</a> raises the bar for five-star stays in this up-and-coming destination. The resort’s main building contains just 46 suites, where full-length glass doors slide open to a big balcony with daybeds for gazing out at the coral-fringed Gili islets, seemingly within arm’s reach. Next door are 14 pool villas ensconced in flowering trees and tropical plants, some with direct beach access. All accommodations are united by a soothing contemporary feel, with cream-hued walls and teak herringbone floors, pops of marine blue, plus decorative elements borrowed from Java’s Hindu-Buddhist heritage and the indigenous Sasak culture of Lombok. Local materials like coconut timber, seashells, and crushed blue coral in the lamps and storage chests add a rustic touch.
<figure id="attachment_141135" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-141135" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-141135 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Sira-Lombok-One-Bedroom-Villa-Beachfront-Bedroom.jpg" alt="The bedroom of a beachfront one-bedroom villa at The Sira." width="1200" height="887" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-141135" class="wp-caption-text">Inside a beachfront one-bedroom villa.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_141136" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-141136" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-141136 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Sira-Lombok-Deluxe-Suite-King-Terrace.jpg" alt="Looking out from the terrace of a Deluxe Ocean View suite at The Sira." width="1200" height="882" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Sira-Lombok-Deluxe-Suite-King-Terrace.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Sira-Lombok-Deluxe-Suite-King-Terrace-300x221.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Sira-Lombok-Deluxe-Suite-King-Terrace-1024x753.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Sira-Lombok-Deluxe-Suite-King-Terrace-768x564.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-141136" class="wp-caption-text">Looking out from the terrace of a Deluxe Ocean View suite.</figcaption></figure>
Few places in Lombok do fine-dining to a truly global standard; The Sira serves what could be the best restaurant food on the island. Talented Indian chef Froosh Nur, who relocated here from The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, puts to good use a bounty of native ingredients such as honey, fruit, vegetables, spices, and seafood. South Lombok shrimp star in the feta-based saganaki at Medsa, the breezy Mediterranean venue near the beach, while honey mango, softshell crab, and passion fruit adorn the sublime tuna carpaccio at the all-day Island’s Table. Indonesian specialties prepared in the open kitchen include the spicy grilled chicken dish ayam taliwang, whose recipe you can learn through a hands-on cooking class. Asian restaurant Sija beckons for a romantic dinner backdropped by a fiery ocean sunset, and the book-filled Glassary Bar offers nightcaps that might feature the local palm wine.
Another thing that sets The Sira apart is the standard of service, and not only from the team of butlers that look after each villa. Across the board, staff members are attentive yet relaxed, and deeply knowledgeable about the food and local culture. The concierge can organize excursions to nearby coffee plantations, an apiary, and craft villages that specialize in pottery and weaving. One morning, I enjoy a picnic breakfast near a rainforest waterfall in the foothills of Mount Rinjani, the massive volcano that dominates northern Lombok.
If all that sounds too strenuous, a swim in the impressive two-tier pool or an hourlong Sasak massage performed in a serene treatment room (or a breezy gazebo) could be just the ticket. R&amp;R, after all, is what The Sira was made for.
<a href="http://thesiralombok.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">thesiralombok.com</a>; doubles from US$475
<figure id="attachment_141133" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-141133" style="width: 1380px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-141133 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Sira-Lombok-Sunset.jpg" alt="A sunset view of the main pool at The Sira, a beach resort on the Indonesian island of Lombok." width="1380" height="920" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-141133" class="wp-caption-text">A sunset view of the main pool at The Sira.</figcaption></figure>
This article originally appeared in the <a href="https://subscription.destinasian.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">December 2024/February 2025</a> print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Que Sira, Sira”).

A sunset view of the main pool at The Sira, a beach resort on the Indonesian island of Lombok.

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