First trip to Lombok. Need help!

Hi! I'll be flying off to Lombok with my partner for 8 nights early July and I have booked my first 2 nights at Novotel. We are planning to rent a car and do a bit of touring around the island. We are looking for quiet places to relax.

Should we base ourselves in Senggigi and visit other places like the gilis, Senaru, Sekotong... etc as day trip? Any accommodation recommendations (around Rp500k, swimming pool is not neccessary, preferably with parking lot)?

Anyone stayed at Puri Malimbu before?

Thanks in advance!

Senggigi is a good base for day trips. I cant suggest anywhere to stay there as I havent stayed in Senggigi for years but I am sure you will get some recommendations from Freo & Josi.

Novotel is a gorgeous hotel it is located a bit out of Kuta so you will need some transport. You can rent scooters (the roads are very quiet) or get drivers to take you into Kuta. Try to arrange drivers out of the hotel as Novotel drivers generally charge more. Scooters really are your best bet if you are happy driving them.

Whilst down south check out Mawun Beach and Ashtari cafe en route as well as Tanjung Aan beach which is only a few KM from Novotel.

Have a great stay

Hi tampines, welcome to lombok lovers

The best accom for your budget would be Beach Club Senggigi, although they only have 4 bungalows so you need to book ahead. (just google). They have a parking area, and the gate is closed later at night. Puri Malimbu (if I'm thinking of the right place) is a long way out of town in Malimbu - about a 15 min drive?? and built on the side of the hill. I like the Malimbu area, but it is pretty quiet. Other options closer to town for your budget would be Windy Cottages in Mangsit, they have a nice beach out front and are close to other hotels, and about 4km from Senggigi itself. Also Bulan Baru, although I am not sure what that is like now, it did go downhill a bit but may have improved.

For a first visit to Lombok, yes I'd recommend staying near Senggigi and doing day trips to Gilis, Senaru waterfalls, etc. Personally I prefer not to have to pack up and move too much on holidays, it is nice to have a place to come back to in the afternoon and enjoy a lovely sunset and cold drink. Watching the sun set behind Bali's Mt Agung from Senggigi/Mangsit is one of my favorite passtimes

Thanks Gemma & Freogirl