Amber Lombok Beach Resort, under the ownership of Mr. Theo Dandine, epitomizes luxury and elegance on the beautiful island of Lombok. We are delighted to gain insights into the inspiration, challenges, and unique offerings of this exquisite resort. Here are ten questions for Mr. Dandine:

Can you share the inspiration behind the establishment of Amber Lombok Beach Resort and what initially drew you to Lombok as a location?

With such grand nature as scenery, we wanted to create a low-impact project that would capture the location’s natural beauty. The beach and the mountains surrounding the resort are truly magical. They are the star of the holiday, and our role is to highlight them.

What are the core values that guide the operation and guest experience at Amber Lombok Beach Resort?

We always encourage our team to be true to their individuality. We train them with the industry standards as a base to be on-trend with guests’ expectations. This base is then built upon by each team member with their own personality, so they don’t feel the stress of conformity. I think this results in genuine happiness at work and transforms service into something more meaningful for our guests.

How does Amber Lombok Beach Resort differentiate itself from other luxury resorts in the region?

Due to our location, we need to offer a lot more than just a room or a villa. We are creating this idyllic atmosphere where you can reset, play, and truly reconnect with yourself and your family. Most of our guests actually don’t leave the premises because they feel very comfortable with us, and there are various facilities and events for everyone, ranging from well-appointed rooms, a beach lounge and restaurant with daily events, infinity pools with private cabanas, a relaxing spa with couple’s rooms and a gift shop, and of course, a breathtaking beach that sometimes feels as if it’s private. We even opened a new gym, which completes the whole wellness experience.

How does your resort incorporate eco-friendly practices and promote sustainable tourism?

We have a very direct approach to this concept. First, we avoid the use of single-use items as much as possible, even the ones labelled as ‘eco-friendly’. Most of the time and despite all the recycling efforts, they still end up in the ocean and in your plate. Second, we built our rooms with extra-large walls and synthetic roof material to keep them cooler in a more efficient way. Third, we do daily rubbish pick-up from the beach and send what we find to a sorting station. We have other practices, but would need a whole page to go through it all!

What challenges have you faced in developing and managing a luxury resort in Lombok?

We have a product where guests come with a lot of expectations. Some people may think that Lombok – being so close to Bali – can offer the same experience at a more affordable price. It takes a lot more work (and funds) to level up with Bali. Overall, our guests are very satisfied with our offering. The restaurant is a good example where we operate at very good capacity with 35 staff, just for that area.

Can you describe some unique amenities and experiences guests can expect when staying at Amber Lombok Beach Resort?

We are blessed with a unique location which allows us to offer a true beachfront villa and room experience. We have a total of 5 villas on the beach (2 and 3 bedrooms each) and 9 suites (including a Honeymoon suite) where you can walk out your door to the sea. It’s steps to the beach!

The spa offers wellness packages in a serene setting and there is also a dedicated couple’s room with a private bath. Accented with natural wood and soft flowing materials, Mukti’s design and mood are a haven for rest.

The gem of our resort is our restaurant and pool area, the beacon of the hotel where guests can chill all day and enjoy delicious food and cocktails. It is located right on the beach, with comfortable furniture and a colour palette that blends with the surrounding nature. This is the heart of the property, beating with daily activities, live music, sunset cabanas on the sand, bonfires, weekend buffalo walks, and much more.

How do you ensure that the local culture of Lombok is integrated into the guest experience at your resort?

At Amber, we have several days of the week where we immerse the guests in the Sasak way of life. A free offering includes inviting village artisans to demonstrate live weaving in the lounge, deepening guests’ knowledge of local fabrics. We also have batik days where the team dresses up as they would during special events. A crowd favourite stems from our partnership with the farmers who walk their gentle buffalos on the beach, right in front of the hotel (which always makes a great photoshoot day!). On the culinary side, we have included many local dishes in our menu, and during public holidays, we distribute a part of our proceeds to local NGOs that help local villages gain access to education.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of owning Amber Lombok Beach Resort?

Having a strong relationship with the team, no doubt about it. My job is now basically to assist with HR and make sure that the good vibe and energy flow through the years. This means identifying talents and promoting them, hosting trainees from tourism schools to help them get real-life experience, and providing opportunities to the local community to ensure they are part of the hotel’s success.

How has the resort adapted to the changing dynamics of the hospitality industry?

We have been operating in Lombok for over 10 years now. The demands and expectations have changed and will change again. Every year, we allocate a part of our profits to upgrade our resorts and also train the staff by sending them to Bali or Jakarta to learn about the latest trends. We see new hotels opening every year, so without these efforts, our hotels would become obsolete quickly. Our competitive mindset and the need to support the whole team do not allow us to be left at the back of the queue.

Looking ahead, what plans or developments do you have in mind for Amber Lombok Beach Resort?

We are proud to announce the launch of our new project called Evora, located on the same bay as Amber. It will include a unique cliff club, perched right above the ocean with a 360-degree view, land lots for sale, and an upscale hotel with just 10 bedrooms. The roads are already built and we are planning to start the construction of villas and the hotel before the year’s end. We are all looking forward to this new addition to the Origin Resorts group.

A:  Torok Beach, Montong Ajan, South Lombok
E:  Reservations
T: +62 843 3875 3290
W: Amber Lombok Beach Resort

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