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Hong Kong sisters’ luxury Indonesian resort on Lombok is a cathedral to calmness

Somewhere Lombok, on the island east of Bali, has 20 villas overlooking a surfer’s paradise and holds a deep connection for its founders

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Hong Kong sisters Claire (left) and Valia Gontard have built a luxury resort on Lombok that features 20 stand-alone villas, each with a private terrace and plunge pool. Photo: Adriana Lago for Design Hotels
Kylie Knott

Hong Kong sisters Claire and Valia Gontard have a strong personal connection to the Indonesian island of Lombok: their maternal grandfather was born there and they have been regular visitors since 2013.

It made sense, then, that the island, known for its pristine beaches and world-class waves, is the location for their first hospitality venture, Somewhere Lombok.

Nestled on a lush cliff overlooking the surfing paradise of Are Guling bay in the south of Lombok, the luxury resort features 20 stand-alone villas, each with a private terrace and plunge pool.
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“So many guests have said that the photos of this place do not do it justice,” says Claire via Zoom, with swaying palms and clear blue water behind her. It is easy to see how the sisters fell under the island’s spell.

The infinity pool at Somewhere Lombok. Photo: Wahyu Pratama
The infinity pool at Somewhere Lombok. Photo: Wahyu Pratama
The resort, which oozes beach-chic luxury vibes, is conveniently located 10 minutes’ drive from the town of Kuta and about 35 minutes from Lombok Airport.
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While Somewhere Lombok is the sisters’ first hospitality venture, they are no strangers to the industry. Both worked in the Japanese ski town of Niseko, where their French father and Hong Kong mother own a boutique hotel.
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