Hi I am going to Java on Business and plan to take a week's holiday somewhere else in Indonesia at the beach. Other than Bali where would you recommend where there would be nice hotels.

Thanks Alison

Alison, there are literally hundreds of places you could go, but I would recommend that you go to Lombok. I'm sure other people have different favorites. I think you can get a flight from Jakarta to Mataram as cheap as 6-700.000Rp now with Merpati. On Senggigi Beach you can find some very nice hotels, and I guess you can get a good bargain as there are few tourists there now.

Also South Lombok is really nice, not that many hotels to choose from, but you will find some nice ones. If you like to go snorkeling the Gili islands outside the northwest coast of Lombok is a really good alternative, but the accommodation there is relatively simple. Go to the Bangsal village and hire a boat from there, you can also go from Senggigi, but that is usually much more expensive. You can read more about Lombok and the destinations I have mentioned on this site.

As you only have one week I think Lombok is a perfect destination, it is small enough to get around the island and see many interesting places, or just relax by the beach. It is also considered to be safe, there was some religious unrest here a few years ago, but that is now under control. I hope you enjoy your stay in Indonesia!

Other suggestions, anyone?

Any tips on Lombok would be appreciated as well as hotel prices and recommendations. We plan on going there next year.

mango, I have not been on Lombok since 1999, so I'm afraid I cannot give you any up to date recommandations. But the places I liked the best was Gili Trawangan and Kuta. On the Gili islands there is not much to do except snorkeling/diving, at least on Meno and Air, Trawangan has some nightlife. Maybe 3-5 days here is enough, depends what you like of course.

On Kuta I stayed at Matahari Inn, I think the price now is about 100.000Rp (15 USD) for the cheapest rooms, and up to 500.000RP (60 USD) for the best, airconditioned rooms. If you go at a time with few tourists, like now, I'm sure you can get a good discount. This hotel is not sitting on the beach, but have free shuttle transport to the best beaches on south Lombok. Much more expensive is Novotel, which sits along a beautiful bay not far from Kuta. If you travel on a budget there are also cheap losmen here. The accommodation on Gili islands are on the cheap side, and good value for money, no five stars hotels here though. Senggigi beach has something for everyone, and is also a nice place to visit for beach life, it can also serve as a base to explore the island. Rent a car, with driver if you prefer, and go explore! Lombok has a wide variety of landscapes for an island this small.

Read the articles about Lombok and see the photos on this site, don't hesitate to ask if you have more specific questions!