Imagine a place where straw-roofed bungalows circle a manicured lawn, leading to a pristine bay with soft sand and views of dramatic coastal headlands. This isn't Tahiti, but it feels remarkably close. Welcome to Segara Lombok, a boutique micro-resort that has carved out a serene niche on the untouched south coast of Lombok.
A Visionary Gamble on Serangan Beach
Back in 2019, French owner Morgan Rakowicz took a significant risk. He chose to build his dream hotel on Serangan Beach, on the eastern side of Selong Belanak Bay, when the area was little more than a dirt track with a few fishing huts. Located roughly 20 kilometres from the tourist hub of Kuta, Lombok, it was the first accommodation of its kind there.
"When I was looking for land for a hotel in Lombok, there were so many beautiful spots," Rakowicz recalls. "But I chose Serangan for the amazing views, the surrounding nature, the mountains behind us, the beautiful bay, and the rock pinnacles. The peace and quiet here is incredible—you can walk for miles and see no one. We really got lucky."
Intimate Luxury and Natural Design
Set on 0.4 hectares with 68 metres of direct beachfront, the resort's scale is intentionally intimate, featuring only 10 rooms. Eight are arranged in a semi-circle around a vast green lawn bordered by palms, with two more positioned just 20 metres from the water's edge.
While called bungalows for their traditional thatched roofs, these accommodations rival luxury suites. Each boasts 40 to 50 square metres of polished floorboards, oversized terraces with daybeds, and king-size beds with premium linen. The standout feature is the expansive, open-air Bali-style bathrooms. With no ceilings, private little gardens, and large terrazzo bathtubs, they are designed to immerse guests in nature.
The amenities are thoughtfully curated rather than extensive. A communal pool with a wooden deck and shaded daybeds is the centrepiece. The lawn between the pool and the beach is dotted with lounge areas, simple kabanas, picnic tables, and beanbags, creating perfect chill-out spots.
Culinary Excellence in a Remote Paradise
The heart of Segara Lombok is its al fresco restaurant, which has earned a stellar reputation. Rakowicz, who previously worked as a chef at renowned seafood establishments in France and the UK, explains the drive for quality: "When we opened, there was nothing else here. We had to work really hard to get the food right, or our hotel would sink."
The effort has paid off. Australian guest Stephen Maloney, who chose the resort for his wedding, is a fervent admirer. "The owners are French, and everything from their kitchen is fabulous. Their bruschetta with creamy chicken tomato sauce is excellent, as is their crispy whitebait with tartar sauce. I never visit without ordering the eggplant lasagne."
Dishes like the garlic-crusted red snapper fillet served with mushroom risotto and carrot puree, expertly paired with a glass of South African Beekeeper white wine, have cemented the restaurant's status as a destination in itself.
Segara Lombok proves that sometimes the biggest risks yield the greatest rewards. By betting on the raw beauty of Serangan Beach, Morgan Rakowicz has created more than just a hotel; he's crafted a secluded sanctuary where luxury is defined by space, nature, and genuine tranquillity. It's a little slice of paradise, found not in the South Pacific, but on the stunning shores of Lombok.
