Exotic locations, world-class diving and consistently excellent customer service is what Lotus Hotels is all about. Their locations in Raja Ampat, North Sulawesi, Lombok, and Bali offer wonderful experiences and quality accommodation, dive centers, and expertly trained staff.
Papua Paradise Eco Resort
The most remote of the 4 resorts, Papua Paradise Eco Resort is an exotic island paradise. Overwater bungalows lay along the pristine shoreline of the uninhabited Birie Island in Raja Ampat. The lush island offers a total escape for nature lovers with exotic bird life, a spectacular array of fauna, and reefs teeming with marine life.
Diving
As one of the few PADI 5* dive centers in Raja Ampat, Gangga Divers is the perfect choice for divers ready to explore one of the most bio-diverse marine areas in the world. Local and international dive professionals operate the center according to PADI best safety standard and keep the center’s purpose-built dive vessels in perfect condition.
When you’re confident in the standard of your dive guides and equipment you can really enjoy the spectacular diving in Raja Ampat. With 75% of all the coral species found in the world, and well over 1000 fish species it’s no wonder marine biologists frequent this region.
There are endless dives to choose from in Raja Ampat, but a couple of the most popular day trips from Papua Paradise Eco Resort are the Fam Islands and The Passage. These are iconic dive sites in Raja Ampat where the reefs are as healthy as you’ll see anywhere in the world.
The Rooms & Facilities
Papua Paradise Eco Resort has 26 overwater beautiful bungalows. Each is built using local wood and thatching in the traditional style unique to this area. If you want a rustic feel with all the luxuries of a 5-star resort, you will love these bungalows. Guests can also feel connected with nature; the sounds of the jungle behind and the waves lapping below.
Tucked into the jungle is the central area of the resort featuring a restaurant, lounge, and bar. The resort’s restaurant receives glowing reviews from guests and the lounge and bar make for a wonderful place to share diving stories from the day.
Whether you want to spoil yourself or relax your travel-weary body, Spa in Paradise the only luxury spa in Raja Ampat is an absolute oasis of rejuvenation. The therapists specialize in massage and beauty treatments from around Indonesia as well as Ayurvedic techniques from India and South East Asia.Â
In between dives, there are plenty of half day and day trips to explore the natural wonders and cultural uniqueness of the area. You might choose to search out the endemic birds of paradise on a dawn hike, take a trek to the hidden waterfalls of Batanta Island or meet local people in villages where age-old traditions hold strong.
Website: www.papuaparadise.com
Gangga Island Resort & Spa
Slightly less remote, but still an island paradise, Gangga Island off the coast of Manado in North Sulawesi is home to Gangga Island Resort & Spa. Just 20 minutes from Manado, this resort is set between lush green hills and soft white sand. The crystal blue of the water will have you yearning to get in and explore the second you arrive.
Diving
Well-known as one of the gems of the coral triangle, North Sulawesi offers a wide variety of diving options for divers of every skill level. The sensational marine life, unique seascapes, and incredible visibility attract divers and underwater photographers from all over the world.
From the tiniest pygmy seahorses, shrimps, and nudibranchs, to large pelagics like reef sharks, huge schools trevally, and plenty more, divers can see more species than they ever thought possible in one dive
Some highlights in the area are watching the mating ritual of the Mandarinfish at Lihaga Island just a short boat ride from Gangga Island, as well as muck diving for micro critters close to the resort.
As for day trips, there are endless dives to choose from. Bangka Island, Bunaken National Marine Park, and the Lembeh Strait are perfect for deeper dives, steep walls, underwater pinnacles, and big drop-offs. Talisei and Bangka are famous for their beautiful colored hard and soft corals which home scorpionfish, various ghost pipefish, crocodilefish, and many species of the wonderfully odd frogfish.
The Rooms and Facilities
Imagine your own beachfront bungalow where you can fall asleep and wake up to the sound of the waves washing onto the shore. Gangga Island Resort & Spa boasts 30 local Minahasa style rooms that can accommodate a king, or twin beds, a king with an extra twin bed or 3 twin beds to ensure the comfort of any combination of groups.
All of the rooms are elegantly furnished in dark wood and local textiles that fit perfectly into the surroundings. Air conditioning, satellite TV, tea and coffee making facilities, and WiFi come as standard in all rooms. The 12 Deluxe Rooms have recently been updated and now have larger, more comfortable seating spaces, a redesigned bathroom and larger glass windows for even better views.
In the heart of the resort is an open-air restaurant, where Mediterranean and Indonesian dishes made with the freshest local and high quality imported ingredients are served. Twice a week guests are invited to enjoy a fresh fish barbeque under the palms close to the beachfront swimming pool. The Coconut Bar serves, cocktails, cold beers, and other refreshments all day long.Â
Mainland North Sulawesi
Only 20 minutes by private boat from the resort is the opportunity to explore a little of North Sulawesi. Guests are welcomed to book day trips to explore the nature and culture of the Minahasan highlands, archeological sites, local markets, craft villages, and Tangkoko Nature Reserve to see rare tarsiers, the world’s smallest primate.
Website: www.ganggaisland.com
Villa Almarik
Villa Almarik is located on Gili Trawangan, a small island located only around 1.5 hours from Bali by speedboat or 15 minutes from mainland Lombok. Thanks to its perfect location on a peaceful strip of gorgeous white sand beach a few minutes from the island’s central strip, the friendly staff, and great dive center, this resort welcomes guests back over and over again.
Diving
Villa Almarik is the quintessential dive resort for every level of diver thanks to having over 25 dive sites within 20 minutes of the resort. If diving has just become your passion or you are a life-long diver, Gangga Divers dive center at Villa Almarik tailors dive itineraries to each divers’ needs and desires.
Dives range between 5 and 40 meters and feature soft sandy slopes, dramatic walls, underwater caverns, vibrant coral gardens, and sunken sculptures. It’s easy to make 2 dives a day and still have plenty of time to relax on the beach, have a cocktail, or read a book in the shade of a coconut palm.
The Rooms and Facilities
Villa Almarik has 27 rooms, each with air-conditioning, satellite TV channels and a DVD player, coffee and tea making facilities, a safety box, and a spacious bathroom. Guests will enjoy the touches of Indonesian décor, the comfortable beds, and a private terrace to relax on.
At the beachfront, a restaurant and bar serve a mix of Indonesian and Mediterranean dishes prepared with fresh local and quality imported ingredients, as well as cold drinks and cocktails. The pool is also a beautiful feature of the resort and is a favorite place to relax with a drink and a snack after diving.
If you want to sink even deeper into relaxation, the resort’s spa offers massages and wellness treatments from around Indonesia.
Website: www.almarik-lombok.com
Lotus Bungalows Candidasa
Away from the hustle and bustle of South Bali is the fishing village turned divers getaway of Candidasa and Lotus Bungalows. Perfectly located as a base for all the incredible diving around the east coast and Nusa Penida, divers enjoy the homely feel of this boutique resort.
Diving
Known as the Island of the Gods, this cultural and spiritual place is absolute heaven on Earth above and below water. Gangga Divers at Lotus Bungalows will show you this marine wonderland with dives like the deep walls at Batu Tiga, a WWII shipwreck at Tulamben, and muck diving around Padang Bai. You’ll also be able to search out manta rays and oceanic sunfish at Nusa Penida.
Of course, safety is prioritized so Gangga Divers operates a PADI 5* dive center where the highest international standards of diving safety and personal service are upheld.
Gangga Divers at Lotus Bungalows also specializes in Rebreather courses and Diver Propulsion Vehicle diving. During the CCR course, divers will learn to use a rebreather for recreational or technical diving. Rebreathers allow for longer dives and also make no bubbles, so don’t disturb marine life. This and the DPV training are great additional skills for divers who already have their Open Water Dive certification.Â
The Rooms & Facilities
Lotus Bungalows is a boutique resort with 20 elegant rooms. Each room offers a Balinese-style open-air bathroom, air conditioning, and a private veranda. The quiet of the area and friendly staff make guests comment time and time again that they feel like family in the resort.Â
The on-site restaurant has oceanfront views and an elegant bamboo structure. Serving fresh local dishes and a Mediterranean selection, this is the perfect place for a slow lunch or relaxed dinner.
Other highlights of the resort are the sparkling blue oceanfront pool and on-site spa offering massage, wellness and beauty treatments. Everything you need to relax and enjoy this beautiful part of Bali is at your fingertips.
Culture & Nature Experiences
If you’re looking to take in some of the culture and spirituality of Bali, Candidasa is the ideal place. The mother temple Besakih, Goa Lawah bat cave temple, and Lempuyang temple with over 1000 steps are spectacular and can be visited easily from Lotus Bungalows. The original Balinese village of Teganan is only a short drive away and there are always plenty of processions and ceremonies happening in Candidasa and the surrounding villages.
Website: www.lotusbungalows.com
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