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Tucked behind discreet walls in the up-market area of Mangsit, just a few minutes north of Senggigi, is Puri Mas Beach Resort.
Within those walls lies a hidden oasis of pretty rooms and luxurious villas surrounded by magnificent gardens meandering down to the beachfront.
Puri Mas is one of the longest established resorts on the west coast and today still wins international awards – such as the recent ‘2016 Best Luxury Boutique Hotel in Indonesia’ award at the World Luxury Hotel Awards – as well as accolades from guests, many of whom have been holidaying at the resort for years.
Puri Mas was founded by Lombok’s own “Father of Dance”, Marcel De Rijk – who lives in Lombok and is a past international dance champion and currently President of International Dance Asia (IDA), as well as being an adjudicator who travels the world judging international dance competitions.
Marcel originally purchased the land in Mangsit with the idea to build a holiday home for his mother, Ratna Wati De Rijk, who was also a dancing champion.
As luck would have it, the government then passed a law zoning the beachfront land for tourism development only. Marcel’s plans were changed to comply with the law and Puri Mas Beach Resort was born, with the hotel opening its doors for business in 1987.
Today the resort is a far cry from its small (but always luxurious) beginnings. The original rooms remain but the property was extensively expanded in 2005.
In the southern part of the resort, the quaint older cottages and garden rooms are each uniquely designed in a classic Indonesian style. Intricately carved wooden doors, exotic antique furnishings, romantic flowing curtains and sumptuous cushioned day beds on the terraces sit amongst the manicured gardens and fish ponds.
Down a small path bordered by statues of Indonesia’s traditional gamelan players, the newer villas combine modern facilities with the same opulent and luxurious flair for design that Marcel bestows on all his creations.
Statues gaze with dreamy expressions from amongst flowering frangipani, bougainvillea and other tropical plants. Teak, mahogany and stone vie for attention with hand-woven rugs from Morocco; delicate antique Wayang Kulit puppets from Java; carved doors and panels open onto vistas of rare collectibles and antiques from around the archipelago.
In this newer section are the expansive Royal Suites, which all boast ocean views, and the private villas, including the Presidential Villa, the Ratna Wati, Jacuzzi and Romantic Villas.
The Jacuzzi Villas are situated to the rear of the resort, a short stroll from the infinity pool, restaurant, and beach. High walls seclude the villas, reminiscent of the royal compounds in Bali and Yogyakarta.
Enter into a dainty private garden with shaded terrace, dining area, sunbeds and a beautiful Jacuzzi pool just for two.
The bedroom showcases a collection of Indonesian classical furniture, a Puri Mas signature bed decorated with romantic curtains and a cool marble floor. Double doors open to an indoor bathroom, equipped with a classic round bathtub and separate rain shower.
Nearby, the Romantic Villas offer similar luxury, hidden behind privacy walls encircling a lush tropical garden and a 25 sqm private swimming pool. Villas with garden bathrooms include rainforest showers and relaxing bathtubs inside a separate pavilion. Villas with indoor bathrooms offer spacious rainforest showers and classic bathtubs big enough for two.
On the beachfront are the larger villas, including the magnificent Presidential Villa, named following a visit from one of Indonesia’s former Presidents.
This palatial villa boasts Moroccan and Middle-Eastern influences with four large bedrooms opening onto the generous private pool and ocean views from the walled garden and courtyard sunbathing area.
Each of the bedrooms features a sumptuous en-suite bathroom with extensive use of marble and stone. An open air sitting room, dining area, kitchen, cloak room and staff quarters complete the facilities. Furnishings and decoration are exceptional, showcasing collected pieces from around Asia and the Middle East.
Nearby, the colonial-style Ratna Wati Villa was originally built by Marcel as a tribute to his mother, Ibu Ratna Wati. Naturally, the villa occupies the most favoured spot within the original part of the resort.
Secluded inside a walled garden, overlooking a charming kidney-shaped swimming pool, the three bedroom villa enjoys unobstructed views across the Lombok Strait to Bali’s Mount Agung. An elevated pavilion in the garden is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sublime views.
Occupying pride of place on the beachfront is the resort’s large infinity pool, framed by serene statues and offering incredible views out across the ocean to Bali.
At the southern end of the beach sits the beautiful Ballroom Restaurant, named in honour of Marcel’s family tradition of championship ballroom dancing.
Guests can dine inside at comfortable tables, or outside on the beachfront or can lounge on raised pavilions overlooking the sea. The menu is extensive and the cuisine routinely ranks amongst the top three in TripAdvisor reviews.
Other memorable facilities at the resort include the serene meditation and yoga garden alongside the herb garden, where guests can relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere or join in regular yoga classes.
The Puri Mas Gallery within the resort offers much more than normal resort shopping, featuring unique and collectible works of art, antiques, glassware and statuary.
There is also a ballroom where Marcel hosts weekly dance classes for students and a small collection of vintage jeeps on display.
Just minutes away is the Puri Mas Spa Resort – a dedicated spa facility with luxurious treatment rooms nestled in a peaceful valley – where guests can choose from an array of award-winning massages and treatments.
The essence of tradition, luxury and style, Puri Mas Boutique Resort stands the test of time as Lombok’s first iconic beach resort.