Escape to Paradise: Rinjani Cottages & Resto Lombok - Unforgettable Indonesian Getaway
Escape to Paradise: Rinjani Cottages & Resto Lombok - More Than Just a Vacation (My Chaotic Love Letter)
Okay, let's talk about Lombok. Specifically, let's talk about Rinjani Cottages & Resto. Because, honestly? This place wasn’t just a vacation; it was… an experience. And I'm still trying to piece it all together, in a good way. So, buckle up, because this review isn't going to be some sterile, bullet-pointed checklist. This is a messy, honest, and hopefully, helpful account of my time there.
First Impressions (The Good, the… Well, Let's Say “The Lombok”
Arrival was… well, let's just say the airport transfer felt like a thrilling (and slightly terrifying) rollercoaster ride. But hey, it's Indonesia! And once we arrived at Rinjani Cottages, the chaos melted away, replaced by a sense of… ahhhhh. The lobby – and the property in general – is beautiful, with a real rustic charm. Plenty of that Indonesian wood and vibrant greenery, instantly making you feel like you've truly escaped.
Accessibility? A Mixed Bag (and My Slightly Imperfect Memory)
Let's get this out of the way: Accessibility isn't their strongest suit. I didn't see any specific ramps mentioned, and I confess, I wasn't exactly looking for them in the flurry of excitement. The information I have suggests some facilities for disabled guests, but best to check with the hotel directly to nail down specifics if accessibility is a must. I'm not sure if the walkways would be easy to navigate with a wheelchair. (Sorry! I was too busy staring at the view, it seems…)
Rooms & Comfort: Where Do I Even Begin?
My room? Ah, my room. I seem to remember a non-smoking room, with all the expected comforts: air conditioning, a safe box (thank goodness!), and – the holy grail – free Wi-Fi! (More on that later.) The bed was comfy, a real extra long bed, and the blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in after a long day of… well, doing nothing (the best thing ever!). The best part? The balcony view of the pool and the surrounding landscape. Stunning. Seriously, drop-dead gorgeous. One of those views that makes you actually breathe deeper. The slippers were a nice touch too. Who doesn’t like slippers? Oh, and the bathroom phone – I really didn't expect it, but it was there, along with bathrobes and complimentary toiletries. (And they had a proper hair dryer, too. No sad, useless air dryers here!). In-room safe box was there, keeping my things safe and sound.
Internet: The Constant Dance of Connection and Disconnection (and My Slightly Crazy Obsession)
Let’s be real. In the age of instant everything, internet access is a dealbreaker. And Rinjani Cottages? Well, they offer plenty. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes! Internet access – wireless. Yes! Internet access – LAN. Yes! So, I was ready to go. But, the Wi-Fi was spotty sometimes. I mean, it worked, most of the time. But those moments of internet bliss were balanced by agonizing waits for websites to load, and the dreaded buffering wheel of doom. I spent ages trying to connect to the Wi-fi, I felt like I was a hacker in a movie. Maybe if I walked around to find a perfect spot to get the best signal, what a quest! It kind of made me want to stay even longer just to master it. Still, the free water bottles they gave you made up for everything.
Things to Do (or Not Do, and Be Perfectly Okay With It)
Honestly? The best "thing to do" was to do nothing. Sit by the swimming pool (outdoor), and just… be. The pool with view overlooking the lush landscapes was the star of the show. Perfect for a swim, or just lounging with a book.
But, if you're feeling slightly active, there's a fitness center and gym/fitness. I thought about it. Once. But then, I decided the effort required to get there was just too much. Priorities, people! For those seeking more pampering, there's a Spa, a spa/sauna, steam room, massage, foot bath, body scrub and body wrap. I got massage, and it was a dream. The masseuse was phenomenal, working out knots I didn't even know I had. Seriously, pure bliss. Worth every single penny.
Cleanliness & Safety: Reassurance in the Time of “Stuff”
This is where Rinjani Cottages really shines. Rooms are sanitized between stays. They had anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas and you get a sanitized kitchen and tableware items. There’s also staff trained in safety protocol – so I felt safe and sound, even given the current situation. I was happy to see the hand sanitizer everywhere. They even offered the opt out on room sanitization. I was pleased with all the safety and security aspects they had put in place.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food! (And My Slight Over-Eating)
Okay, the restaurants at Rinjani were a real highlight. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was a must-try. I highly recommend the beef rendang. Mind-blowing. The buffet in restaurant for breakfast? Wonderful. I think I ate my weight in fresh fruit and pastries (I do not regret it!). They also had an A la carte in restaurant and the lunch was tasty, too. And a vegetarian restaurant, which, as a meat eater, didn't matter, but it's nice to see the option. You'll find a bar to quench your thirst, a poolside bar just to sit with a drink, and a coffee shop to get your caffeine fix. The Happy hour felt like a gift from the gods. They did breakfast service, and delivered breakfast in room. There was a room service [24-hour] so you could find a snack whatever time of the day. They offered bottle of water. They even had snacks bar! I did try the Western cuisine in restaurant and I did not regret to experiment, it was good.
Services & Conveniences: Little Touches, Big Impact
The staff? Absolutely lovely. The 24-hour front desk was always there to help. They have concierge, daily housekeeping, and luggage storage. The currency exchange was super useful. Although I was not using it, there was a car power charging station, and **car park [free of charge], **car park [on-site], a taxi service. They also offered dry cleaning, an ironing service and laundry service. Food delivery was available. Invoice provided. They allowed the pets allowed! (Sorry, I don't remember, I didn't check)
For the Kids: Adventure Awaits (I Can't Comment on That)
I didn’t have any kids with me, but they advertise family/child friendly, and kids facilities were available. Babysitting service seems to be available, and they did have kids meal, too.
Getting Around: The Lombok Shuffle
Airport transfer was a blessing. I was glad of the car park [free of charge], and car park [on-site]! I did not want to go out.
Final Thoughts: Would I Go Back? (Absolutely, with Some Caveats)
Rinjani Cottages & Resto is a wonderful escape. It’s a bit of paradise with a healthy dose of Indonesian charm. The staff are incredibly friendly, and the setting is just sublime.
However, if absolute perfection is what you're after, this might not be it. The Wi-Fi can be frustrating. The accessibility is a question mark. But for me? The imperfections are part of the charm. They add a bit of spice to the experience.
My Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to get a REAL glimpse into my supposed "relaxing" getaway to Angin Mamiri Rinjani Cottages and Resto in Lombok. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions, questionable choices, and the raw, unfiltered truth about my quest for chill…which, let’s be honest, is probably a lost cause.
Lombok: My Attempt at Zen (and its inevitable downfall)
Day 1: Arrival & Cocktails…or, the Battle Against Jet Lag (and a Mosquito)
10:00 AM (Local Time): Touchdown at Lombok International Airport. Oh, the humidity! It slaps you in the face, I swear. Immediately regretting my decision to wear jeans. (Why?! WHY?!) The transfer to Angin Mamiri was…well, bumpy. Like, really bumpy. Our driver, bless his heart, navigated the roads like a caffeinated squirrel.
11:30 AM: Arrived at Angin Mamiri. First impression? Cute! The bungalows are nestled amidst lush greenery. I’m greeted with a welcome drink, which tasted suspiciously like…ginger. (I HATE ginger, but hey, free drink). Settling in, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could actually achieve Zen.
1:00 PM: Lunch at the Resto. The nasi goreng was okay, but the little details just set my mood. The way the sunlight hits the tables, the breeze from the open windows, it's hard not to enjoy this.
3:00 PM: A dip in the pool. YES! This is what I came for. Floating around, pretending to be a glamorous movie star…and promptly getting attacked by a mosquito. THE BETRAYAL! This little bloodsucker had zero respect for my holiday plans. I swear, I'm going to start carrying a citronella bomb.
6:00 PM: Sunset cocktails. This time, gin and tonic (no ginger in sight, praise the gods!) Watching the sunset over the rice paddies. Stunning. Absolutely breathtaking. For about ten minutes. Then the mosquitoes returned for round two. Also, I spilled half my drink. Classic.
8:00 PM: Dinner at the Resto again. Satay this time. Delicious. Overate. Felt slightly ill. (Note to self: pace yourself, you glutton.) Also, the table wobbled. Constantly. Minor imperfection.
9:30 PM: Attempted early night. Failed. Jet lag is a cruel mistress. Wide awake. Listening to strange jungle noises. Concluding that the "relaxing" part of my trip had officially taken a hike.
Day 2: Rice Paddies, Reflections, and a Close Encounter of the Gecko Kind
7:00 AM: Woke up feeling like a zombie. Attempted yoga on the porch. Embarrassing failure. I'm pretty sure I pulled a muscle.
9:00 AM: Exploring the rice paddies. It was beautiful, I admit. Seeing the farmers working, the water buffalo grazing… it's all very idyllic. However, the sun beats down without any mercy. I almost passed out. Also, a leech. A. LEECH. I’m a city girl, what do I know about leeches?
12:00 PM: Lunch at a local warung. (A tiny, family-run restaurant.) Best meal I've had so far. Authentic, flavorful, and dirt cheap. (Pro tip: avoid the questionable "chicken" that might be the guest of honor's favorite pet).
2:00 PM: Back at the cottage. Time for a nap to recover from the leech experience! Got cozy in bed to find… A GECKO. And it was HUGE. Panicked. Screamed. Did a weird dance-slash-leap-off-the-bed maneuver. Now, I love geckos, usually. But this one was in MY room, and it was staring directly at me, with that blank, reptilian stare. Not. Okay.
3:00 PM: The gecko disappeared (thank heavens). Stared at the ceiling. Felt incredibly stupid for screaming. Realized this wasn’t exactly the "inner peace" I had envisioned.
5:00 PM: Another dip in the pool. This time, armed with a bottle of mosquito repellent that could probably kill a small elephant. Managed to relax. Briefly.
7:00 PM: Dinner. Chicken curry this time. Excellent. But ate too much. Again. Wonder if anyone is wondering where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are coming from!
9:00 PM: Spent two hours staring at the stars. It was beautiful in a “existentially alone” sort of way. Realized I needed to stop overthinking everything. (Good luck with that, brain!) But still, the sky was gorgeous.
Day 3: (Rambling on Day 3 could go on forever)
8:00 AM: Slept in! Victory! Until the rooster next door started his morning serenade… at full volume. Note to self: invest in earplugs.
9:00 AM: Ate the leftover fruit that could still be eaten even after the trip! It was okay. Not bad. Not great.
10:00 AM: This is when the Rinjani climbing tour was supposed to start!
I made the dumbest, most impulsive decision of my life. I booked a trek up Mount Rinjani. I mean, the pictures are stunning and the volcano is active so why not try right? I’m not exactly a super-fit mountaineer type. I’m more of a "walk to the fridge for a snack" kind of gal. But the allure of the challenge and the… well, the view…Got me.
The first few hours were brutal. The heat. The steepness. The sheer lack of oxygen. My lungs felt like they were going to explode. I stopped every five minutes, gasping for breath, feeling like I might actually die.
But then… we reached a viewpoint. And there it was. The crater lake. The jagged peaks. The clouds swirling around us. It was the most spectacular thing I've ever seen. I actually, embarrassingly, burst into tears. I'd never expected to be so moved, and I felt a wave of pure joy wash over me. The pain, the fatigue, the self-doubt… all of it faded away.
We made it to the summit. The view from the top was unparalleled. I felt on top of the world.
I did not, however, feel like I was having a relaxing trip. Far from.
8:00 PM: Got back to the cottages totally exhausted and bruised but so full of joy.
Day 4: (Or should it be Day of Self-Reflection, or just me being tired)
- 8:00 AM: I'm alive! That trek was a doozy. I'm pretty sure my legs are permanently broken.
- 9:00 AM: Brunch at the restaurant. The nasi goreng tasted like the most sublime thing on the planet.
- 10:00 AM: Sunbathing. I actually managed to fall asleep and got a sunburn. (I’m an idiot, I can’t believe this is happening)
- 1:00 PM: Lunch.
- 2:00 PM: Swimming.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner.
- 8:00 PM: Packing.
Day 5: Departure
- Early AM: Another bumpy ride to the airport. I'm pretty sure I left half my sanity somewhere in those rice paddies, maybe in the volcano.
- Final Thoughts: Did I achieve Zen? Absolutely not. Was it relaxing? Debatable. Did I have an adventure? Hell yes. And even though I'm exhausted, sunburnt, and probably have a permanent mosquito bite on my rear, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
- Would I go back? Maybe after I learn how to handle a gecko and stop overeating. But yeah, probably. Lombok, you crazy, beautiful place. You got me.
Okay, maybe this isn't your typical travel itinerary, but that's the honest truth. It’s a messy, imperfect, and sometimes hilarious reality of travel. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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So, Rinjani Cottages & Resto: Is it ACTUALLY paradise? Or just… you know… *Lombok*?
I heard the volcano's nearby. Is it, like, *constantly* erupting? Should I pack a hazmat suit?
The food! I'm a foodie. Tell me everything! Was it, like, Michelin-star worthy?
About the staff. Are they nice? Will they leave me hanging out in the jungle with a broken sandal?
What's the deal with the cottages themselves? Basic? Luxurious? Somewhere in between? Dirty? Over the top?
Okay, I'm sold. But what if I'm bored of relaxation? Is there stuff to *do*?
Speaking of which… how's the pool? Is it all Instagram-worthy, orHotel Explorers
