Svarga Resort Lombok

“An honest review”

I've been travelling solo for the past 3 weeks all around Indonesia and Lombok was my 4th and before last stop of the journey. The only reason I have given a 3/5 is thanks to the staff who were kind and helpful. Small touches like extending a takeaway breakfast when I said I was leaving early morni… more

I've been travelling solo for the past 3 weeks all around Indonesia and Lombok was my 4th and before last stop of the journey. The only reason I have given a 3/5 is thanks to the staff who were kind and helpful. Small touches like extending a takeaway breakfast when I said I was leaving early morning were highly appreciated. One of the gentlemen at the restaurant saw that I had something stuck in my hand and I was trying to get it off and he offered to help. I have booked the Varda Superior Double because I fell in love with the pictures of the view and bathroom. But what a deception reality was. The rate was super attractive, but had I known what was waiting for me at Svarga, I wouldn't have stayed there and would have chosen an international brand over a local one. Number 1: What they don't tell you is that the only available elevator does not service all the rooms. There are a LOT of stairs. Each room category is located on a specific floor so if you decide to stay, ask on which floor the room you want is located. For me it was super inconvenient to come back after a long day of exploring and having to climb tons of stairs. My legs were so sore. Plus absolutely not practical for the luggage be it for the guests or the poor staff who has to do this several times a day. I did ask for a high floor because that's always my go to but had I known... Number 2: Was not expecting to find bathroom amenities so that was nice. Though there is no hairdryer unlike what it says on the room description. Maintenance and cleanliness are terrible (to the point of deciding not to use the spa nor the pool, even if they looked nice). I probably got the worst room of the Varda category or a least this is how I felt. There was one missing letter at entrance of the room (522). I did NOT use the bathroom at all besides the toilet (that I cleaned before each use using disinfecting wipes). The lovely bathtub had bugs and stagnant water as well as the washbasin. And there was no separate shower to save the situation. So, every day after my tours, I'd find a place to freshen up outside before going back to the resort... Several stains all around the floors, the menus etc. (pictures). The humidity was absolutely horrible in both the room and the bathroom. So I had to always keep the bathroom door closed and the air-conditioning on at all times. I also bought an electric mosquito repellent, as there wasn't any in the room, and it stayed plugged 24/7. Number 3: Several things mentioned in the room description were not placed in the room. Coffee machine (there was only a kettle), Fruit platter, hairdryer. These are few examples. The safety box did not work so that was not convenient to be carrying valuables around Lombok during my tours but I had no other option. Number 4: The restaurant. Though the staff was so kind and helpful, few touches are missing for a 4 star property like clearing empty plates from the tables should be a reflex. The breakfast buffet was included which was not expected so that was nice. The buffet itself however was very basic and there were always small flying bugs and flies on some foods (that were not covered with a lid or something) like the tomatoes and cucumber slices for example. No hot milk was available unfortunately. Food in the restaurant tasted average and few things tasted off (chicken club sandwich for example). Number 5: The WiFi and TV had several bugs. Would work 5 minutes and stop working for 10 minutes. On and off. I did not complain during my stay and always left the room on Do Not Disturb. Why? Because first I did not see a single manager around during my stay (weird for a 4 star) and also what could have been done beside perhaps a room move which wouldn't have solved the several issues that mainly revolved around cleanliness and maintenance and never-ending stairs. I was leaving the property from early morning to evening and coming back just to sleep and grab a quick bite and then breakfast in the AM. The property has a lot of potential but needs lots of work to be a proper 4 stars. I would not stay again nor recommend either.

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