Jeeva Beloam Beach Camp
Lombok

Jeeva Beloam Beach Camp is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Secret Gems and Top 10 Beach Hotels.

Situated two hours from the airport in the remote and untouched southeast of Lombok, Jeeva Beloam is one of Indonesia’s most exciting eco resorts. It launched in 2012 as the sister property to Jeeva Klui in Lombok’s northwest, which is also lovely, but more of a mainstream resort. For those looking to switch off in a place of ravishing natural beauty, this is the real deal: there is no phone signal or Wi-Fi so you can escape modern life completely whilst still enjoying good locally-sourced food, great service and stylish accommodation. Jeeva Beloam is unapologetic about what it is – spectacular but intense – and it is not suited to everyone; air-con and fans are only operational during certain hours and holiday makers dreaming of cocktails served by the pool will be disappointed (there is no swimming pool here). However, there is the most magnificent scoop of beach and a bright turquoise bay of water that you’ll share with hardly anyone else.

There are just 11 wooden chalets spread along the bay, which have been simply but smartly decked out in paired-back style, situated a few steps from the sand. Although all the chalets are the same, chalet number 11 is the most private and elevated, and it has the best views. In the middle of the chalets, there is a breezy restaurant with an adjacent fire pit for guests to gather around for drinks in the evenings; on some days of the week there are performances here by local musicians. There is also an air-conditioned media room being built and a spa bungalow.

This is a place to bring a book, relax and swim in the ocean. To up the pace, you can go on cycling tours and guided cliff walks along the peninsula, or go kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving and surfing (note that water sports are not done directly from the resort’s beach). The best surfing beach is an hour’s drive away, but there is a nearby beach less than 5 minutes’ drive away called Pink Beach, where a number of activities can be done. This is also where Jeeva Beloam’s evening sunset boat trips head to, where you can enjoy beers on the beach as the sky turns pink. This resort comes to life from December to February, when the lush green surroundings and hills steeped in foliage are brimming with activity during the tropical rains. A great option for low season travel.

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson