This Up-and-coming Indonesian Island Has a Beautiful New Resort — and We Got a First Look

The Sira, an intimate beachfront resort, opens on Nov. 1 in Lombok, a quieter, more relaxing relative to Bali.

Move over, Bali — Indonesia has 17,507 other islands to discover, and another one has just gained a new luxury resort.

On Nov. 1, The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, will open on the island of Lombok, bringing a luxurious 60-key resort to the eponymous white-sand beach. The resort will have oceanview rooms alongside beachfront and garden villas with private pools and terraces. (The showstopping Beach House, a three-bed, four-bath villa, has panoramic ocean views alongside access to a personal butler.)

“Lombok offers what so many of today’s luxury travelers are seeking – spectacular natural beauty off the beaten path, the chance to be immersed in a rich culture in a meaningful way, and access to one-of-a-kind outdoor, wellness and culinary experiences,” The Sira’s general manager, Harish Nair, told Travel + Leisure.

Alongside the island’s cerulean waters, the resort’s aquatic centerpiece is a 230-foot palm tree-fringed outdoor pool. The Sira will also host a spa with an outdoor treatment room and the only vitality pool in Lombok. (It’s also set next to the Sire Beach Golf Club for those who want to practice their swing.)

On-site, The Sira will be home to four dining destinations: The Island's Table, an all-day restaurant serving local food; Medsa, a Mediterranean specialty restaurant; Sija, an Asian specialty restaurant; and cocktail bar Glassary.

Like other up-and-coming Indonesian islands, Lombok has recently experienced fast-growing tourism. It saw more than 2 million visitors in 2023 — a 20 percent increase from the previous year — but a number that still pales in comparison to Bali, which saw more than 15 million visitors in the same period.

The island’s underrated nature doesn’t mean you’ll be bored here, though. Lombok itself has plenty of attractions — the Sukarara Weaving Village and Tiu Kelep Waterfall are two standouts — and it's also a great launchpad for exploring the famed Gili Islands, a tiny car-free trio known for world-class scuba diving and a remarkably laidback lifestyle.

“The three gillis are wonders to behold, and a short boat ride away from our resort, while the main island has everything from stunning waterfalls to local pearl farms to explore. The Sira is the island’s next story of splendor and a gateway to these adventures that leave lasting impressions,” Nair said.

“Every aspect of the property, from the restaurants and spa to activities such as a nighttime food market on the beach featuring local vendors, will connect visitors to Lombok thoughtfully.”