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.