Romantic treat of a lifetime at The Oberoi

Romantic treat of a lifetime at The Oberoi

MEDANA BEACH, Lombok (JP): You are on your honeymoon, and
celebrate by booking a flight to Lombok and making a reservation
at a resort there.

On arriving -- it is twilight -- you open the door to your
room and almost cannot believe your eyes. Someone has sprinkled
flower petals on the bed and placed candles around the room,
their flames glowing a soft amber color, enhancing the romantic
feeling that greeted you when you first stepped foot in the hotel
lobby.

"All honeymooners receive that complimentary surprise," said
Joe Polito, general manager of The Oberoi, Lombok.

It is only one of the many treats that await guests. Opened in
early 1997, the secluded resort of 20 luxurious villas and 30
terrace pavilions in 24 acres of tropical gardens is the latest
addition to Oberoi Resorts of Indonesia. Located on Medana Beach
near Tanjung village, 28 kilometers north of Mataram, the capital
of Lombok, the resort is about 35 minutes' drive from Selaparang
Airport.

Each pavilion measures 90 square meters, including a large
king or twin bedroom, a shaded terrace of 18 square meters for
dining and relaxation and a marble bathroom that opens to a small
walled garden. The villas are 255 square meters in size, each
with its own opulent bathroom, large terrace and expansive
landscaped courtyard with a raised dining pavilion. Most villas
have an 8 meter x 5 meter swimming pool.

The two-bedroom villa, measuring 375 square meters, has all
the features of a luxury villa but with an additional bedroom and
a private swimming pool. The Royal Villa measures 375 square
meters. In addition to a swimming pool and all the luxury villa
features, it has a separate living room with kitchenette and a
second garden bathroom.

The lobby is a pleasing sight that completely transforms the
atmosphere from the scenic drive from the airport, past paddy
fields and the Buan Pusak rain forest, to an inviting oceanfront
offering release from daily hustle.

The interior is a genius work of art that combines local
materials with high-tech amenities as interior designer H.L. Lim
created Lombok's character.

Traditional Indonesian artifacts play a major part in the
overall design. The general manager, Joe Polito, and food and
beverage manager John Halpin are partly responsible for many of
the small items that enhance the exotic effect.

An extensive traveler, Polito is full of ideas he picks up
everywhere he goes. When he arrived in Lombok, all he needed was
to summon the area's artists and have them work with local
materials to produce exclusive knickknacks, such as the stone
candleholders on the dinner tables and the seashells lining the
curtains.

In the late afternoon, guests can be seen in the bale (huts)
on both sides of the reflecting pool in front of the lobby area,
absorbing the lulling sound of falling water and the soft breeze
from the ocean. When dusk falls, the area around the pool is
transformed into a romantic venue, and couples can order
candlelit dinners in the bale. Dining at the Amphitheater is
another treat, and local native dances provide entertainment.

The atmosphere is of complete peace, especially at night when
there is only the sound of the waves and the crickets. It is so
quiet there is a feeling that, when you look up into the night
sky, you can almost hear the stars!

While The Oberoi, Bali epitomizes the tranquility of the
island, its Lombok affiliate gives emphasizes innovative spa
treatments, snorkeling and scuba diving in nearby coral reefs.
Surrounded by fishing villages and palm groves, The Oberoi
nestles in a tranquil bay, a 20-minute boat ride from Gili Air
which is visible from the resort. You would not want to miss a
trip to Gili (island) Meno and Trawangan. The three neighboring
islands are renowned for their golden beaches and coral reefs.

"It's one of the best snorkeling sites in Indonesia. The water
is so clear, the fish and coral very colorful," a guest said.

He was right. Even at a depth of five meters from Gili
Trawangan's beach, the ocean floor is a breathtaking sight that
makes you forget you are only about 10 meters away from the
beach.

The Dive Center in Oberoi's Beach Club is operated by PADI
qualified instructors from H2O Watersportz, an Australian
company.

"Guests can obtain diving certification that is acceptable all
over the world," said Joy Kelly, director of sales and marketing,
Oberoi Resorts Indonesia.

Tired of snorkeling and scuba diving? Not to worry. The
hotel's health spa has two separate private treatment rooms, each
featuring two massage beds, a jacuzzi, a sunken bath for herbal
treatments, steam shower, sauna and private regular shower room.

"We provide internationally recognized rejuvenation treatment
using indigenous Indonesian materials," Kelly said.

She was referring to mandi lulur, a combination of massage
with aromatherapy oils, herbal peeling to exfoliate dead skin
cells, a fresh yogurt splash and immersion in a tropical floral
bath. A moisturizing body lotion is applied to complete the
procedure, which is based on a traditional ceremony originating
in Java and given to Indonesian women each day during the week
preceding their wedding.

There is also the Rasul mud treatment that cleanses and tones
the skin, using products from the Dead Sea.