[Novotel Lombok ] - Breakfast on the Hill

 

[Spice Market] - Tantalizing Korean Buffet Dinner

we were treated to a sumptuous lunch buffet

Novotel Lombok is thoughtful and know how to pamper their guests. They make sure you don't need to eat the same boring menu everyday by arranging different theme buffet and show every night! 

Thematic Buffet Dinner @Novotel Lombok.

We're so thankful for the complimentary dinner at Spice Market. Actually, even if we need to pay for the dinner, we'll still choose to have it there as it's more convenient. We really want to rest after spent whole day outside.

Spice Market (left) and Breeze Bar (right).

Not only that, we've been warned by relatives and friends not to go out on our own at night. Even local tour agency or driver did tell us to skip some of the places for safety reason. Well, maybe it's not as safe as in Bali yet.

For those with weaker stomach or low immune system especially children, please be careful to select clean restaurant if you wish to dine outside. We don't want our holiday ruined by food poisoning because of poor standards of food hygiene. Yeah, it's better safe than sorry...

 Spice Market Restaurant facing Putri Nyale Beach.

Surprised as we didn't expect to taste Korean cuisine in Lombok. I guessed this Korean buffet must be Mr Choi's brainchild. Although Korean food seems simple, but the real preparation  is really no joke. I think he and his wife must have put a lot of efforts teaching the chefs how to cook these delicious, healthy and hearty meal.

Personally, I think it's a compelling buffet theme that it's hard to resist by tourists especially after Hallyu (한류 = Korean Wave) drew so much attention from all corners of the world with K-dramas and K-pop.

 Omo~! It's so romantic with lighted heart-shape on the hill.
~~~Love is in the air~~~

We're totally in love with the settings and the entire atmosphere. '아저씨 (Ajusshi)' was played on the background when we stepped in the restaurant. The selection of  Korean songs perfectly matched the theme and creating enjoyable and relaxing dining ambiance.

Tadaa~!!! Impressed with the sumptuous spread of All You Can Eat Korean Buffet:

 

You can find familiar Beef Bulgogi, Grilled eel,

Gyeran mari (Korean egg roll),

Sauteed vegetables and local sambal sotong.

 BBQ corner has lots of selection including Shrimp, Squid, Fishcake, 

Lamb Sate, Chicken Sate and Galbi (Beef Short Ribs).

The most busy station with two chefs helping guests to BBQ,

stocking sate, shrimp and sotong.

They smartly placed the grill far far away from the seating, so no need to worry that your body will stink with BBQ smoke. Btw, you don't even need to BBQ the food, the chefs will gladly help you and you only need to come back in few minutes.

 

Happy hubby collected his BBQ food hot from the grill.

Pungent smell of various types of fermented Kimchi: 

Seafood Kimchi Salad | Korean Beef Salad | Cabbage Kimchi |  

Salad Cucumber Kimchi | Kimchi Soup.

I tried most of the main dishes except for Bibimbap and Kimchi Fried Rice. I'd  these two dishes almost 2-3x per week when sending my daughter to her tuition. I also skipped those with beef. Overall, they were quite delicious and satisfy my taste buds. 정말 맛있어요~!^^

Actually, I was expecting to see typical Korean Fried Chicken, because it's easier to prepare and usually pair with beer. Chimaek (치맥  = Chicken + Maekju/Beer) is Cheon Song Yi's favorite snack in romantic K-drama 'My Love From the Star.'

Mouth-watering sweet treats at dessert counter.

Hotteok, Kiwi Tartlet, Rice Pudding, Orange Pancake, Mochi,Pumpkin Tart and 

Wedang Ronde (Javanese dessert similar to 'Tang Yuan' Glutinous Rice Balls).

 

 I got a real sweet tooth! Really couldn't resist those sweet desserts.

Completed my meal with three rounds of desserts, as I craving for Korean desserts and as you know  my tummy allocated larger space for  desserts. I couldn't stop eating the unique taste of rice pudding, sweet pancake and kiwi tartlet. Actually hotteok quite nice too if it's softer.

Drinks not included in Buffet.

Guests enjoying movie screening and relaxing on bean chairs on the beach.

It's our first time having Korean Buffet by the beach. We won't forget the feeling and the tantalizing meal. It's like we're dating and having candle light dinner. Thanks for the yummylicious dinner and romantic night! 

Spice Market occupied huge open space facing beach with tall thatched roof

which allowing adequate sunlight and good ventilation inside the restaurant.

Nice and clean restaurant to have a pleasant meals.

 

Spice market restaurant also serve breakfast and lunch.

Novotel Lombok - Spice Market Restaurant

Breakfast Buffet - Rp. 157,000

Korean Dinner Buffet - Rp. 240,000

[In Balance Spa] - Shiok Sasak Massage

What's more incredible than having Sasak Massage after a good dose of Vitamin 'Sea'?

 

After long strolling, running, jumping and playing at the beaches,

our tired bodies asking for some rest.

Still have 5 minutes to swing after put our belongings in our room

 and quick rinse our hands and feet with clean water.

    

Yahoo! excited to get ourselves complimentary one hour massage at...

   

 In Balance Spa by Novotel. 

 

The spa center is a nestled inside Novotel Lombok resort. 

 

You won't miss this high stand-alone structure beside Spice Restaurant.

 

Walking up the stairs, you'll see these cute cone-shaped Sasak inspired roofs
 and ethnics statues harmonically blend in tropical setting.

 

Let's step into the rustic tranquil world!

After they checked and confirmed our name on their appointment book, we're guided to... 

 

Clean and very spacious Couple treatment room.

The masseur was very experience and attentive. First, she stretched to relax my body, she also pointed that my shoulder very 'hard' that I must be very tired. Then she asked whether her strength was alright. I told her that I usually go for deep tissue massage. Understood my request, she applied the real firm pressures to relax my stiff joints.

Actually, my worse than old granny's body required me to go for massage frequently. Usually once a month if there's no sudden stiffed 'robot' neck attack. I always bring medicated patches and muscle relaxant pills when traveling. Of course, not to miss good massage to treat and pamper myself whenever I'm in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. 

As massage junkie, I did have bad experiences with horrendous therapists. They're either not skillful or purposely make you painful by applying pressures on to your bones, hands and arms. Some will pour excessive oil to make it super slippery so they don't need to use so much energy by just rubbing. Gosh! treatment? Heol~! Seriously...  it's more like torturing me. I better go home and sit on my message chair!

Therefore, I do appreciate those masseur that really know the techniques to loosen my tension muscles, and not creating bruises and unnecessary pain to my body and bones!

 

Highly recommend this 60 min Sasak Massage~! Truly Shiok!!!

She's one of those few masseurs that allowed me to have total rest knowing that I'm in good hands. Indulged myself with here solid kneading, palms and thumbs deep acupressure which concentrating on the tension  points.  Her skillful hands worked like magic to soothe tired and aching muscles.

Light smell of sunflower massage oil, nice atmosphere and soft spa music complemented with healing massage soon led me to full relaxation inside this cozy room. My body and mind were rejuvenated and feeling great after the session. I tried to press my own shoulder and totally impressed as it felt less blocked, softer and I can have full movements without the sore feeling.

There's no mandatory gratuity, but we're happy to give tips as we're satisfied by their wonderful skills and good services. Really grateful for this blissful and effective treatment.

Aromatherapy Foot spa | Manicure and Pedicure.

 

Hot ginger tea and towel were served after the session.
 

In Balance Spa provide comprehensive wellness and beauty treatments.
(Open daily from 9:00 am - 22:00 pm).

To avoid disappointment, do secure your slot earlier. Do note that it's extremely popular among the tourists to pamper themselves. Of course, no one will want to miss this beneficial treatments and leave feeling your whole body completely rejuvenated! 

Did I mention that 60 minutes Sasak Massage only cost Rp 345.000? Ok, I'll ring them now to book appointment for Dwi Engges (two masseurs) massage. Wait... I should try this 120 min Exotic Coconut Body Scrub treatment which include Footspa, Sasak Massage, Coconut Scrub, Flower bath and lotion to moisturize skin. I think it's more suitable for me now... You know, I look so dark after 5 days in Lombok. Hopefully after the scrub, my skin will be a bit fairer like white coconut. Upps... wait... I'm in Singapore now! ㅠㅠ

In Balance Spa by Novotel

Add: Mandikala Resort Pantai Putri Nyale, Pujut Lombok Tengah.
         Mataram 83001 Nusa Tenggara Barat - Indonesia.
Tel: +62 370 6153 333
Email: spa.mgr@novotellombok.com