Novotel, Lombok

Advantages: Soft white sandy beach with Crystal clear water, Great Diving!!!
Disadvantages: Tourism is not quite as developed yet; in the island fresh water is expensive on the island.

...I was on Gili Trawangan island in 2004, It is one of the Islands around Lombok, that was my last trip to Lombok but the best among my trips to Bali and Lombok. Actually It is undeniable that Bali is still a beautiful and relaxing place for vacation, but for me still Lombok better. Why?? Because I found that over the years Bali has lost its touch and now it become too commercial and too westernize. Lombok is still pure in its culture and tradition and especially for a scuba diver like me this place is a paradise with its underwater ecosystem. Lombok has been compared to Bali and is often referred to as how Bali was 50 years ago. However the island is very different from its easterly sister in culture. Yes, the island of Lombok is located east of Bali. Tourism is not quite as developed yet as Bali and it is that reason which makes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Price, station location, popular late bar
Disadvantages: Packed with smokers, Modern plastic feel

...If you imagine that hotel chains can be like food chains, the Novotel group would hover somewhere around McDonalds in terms of its ethos and approach. I've stayed in one or two over my time, including those located in London and France, and the occasion in Leeds left me without any illusions. Overall, Novotels hover around the 3/4-star mark, with facilities usually pushing them into the 4-star category. However, I reckon that once you take the quality of what's being provided into account, the experience is definitely more basic. In fact, the Novotel chain is doing its own bit to push 3-star hotels into the category of 'bloody waste of time for the price you end up paying - better off upgrading to 4'. The context? My work apartment access key had been left at home in London and cue realisation of this after office hours, when... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Clean, decent rates, nice hotel
Disadvantages: Far from the station (but easy to get a bus)

...organizes a few free "cultural" events and classes for tourists as well as many other attractions - which this review isnt about. As long as you stay for less than 180 days and have a passport valid for six months after you leave most countries don't need a visa. I had an early flight back to the UK out of Hong Kong so we decided to move locations from where we had been staying for the week closer to Hong Kong train station so I could get the first airport train of the morning. We left the place we had been staying in and arrived at Sheung Wan station, which is the closest station to the Novotel Harbour View. Debating amongst ourselves for a short while we decided to take advantage of the Airport train bag advance check in and then head to the hotel. By debating amongst ourselves I mean I argued we should go straight to the hotel... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful