Hotels in Mataram

Book your cheap hotel in Mataram

Capital of the province of West Nusa Tenggara which includes the Lesser Sunda Islands, Mataram is also the capital of Lombok Island in Indonesia. On the western side of the island, it is not a beach destination, but the large city offers an authentic experience of Indonesian life. Visitors can expect to find royal architecture from when the city was ruled by a king, as well as interesting relics of the Dutch Colonial Era. It’s a nice place to explore and can also act as a base for discovering the rest of the island.

As a city with a population of nearly 500,000, there are plenty of options for holiday accommodation. There is everything from home stays and business hotels to apartments, private villas, bed and breakfast and luxury and cheap hotels in Mataram.

Neighbourhoods of Mataram

Stretching for 12 kilometres from east to west, the city is actually three conjoined towns. These are:

  • Mataram: The government and business sector for the province.
  • Ampenan: The ageing seaport of the original city.
  • Cakranegara: Lombok’s major commercial centre.

The city as a whole has six districts, namely the three mentioned above and Sekarbela, Selparang, and Pejanggik.

What to See and Do in Mataram

You’ll love the buzz of the city which boasts wide tree-lined avenues, shopping malls and traditional markets. The attractions of Mataram of most interest to visitors are:

  • Mayura Garden: A beautiful water garden, formerly part of the royal palace complex, it features pond buildings, statues and peacocks.
  • Narmada Park: 2 hectares of royal gardens with pools where concubines used to bathe, and buildings used as shrines and for Hindu rites.
  • Pura Meru: The largest temple on Lombok, dating back to 1720. The shrines are multi-tiered and built of teak.
  • Museum of West Nusa Tenggara: Ethnographical museum with exhibits on the history, geology and culture of Lombok and neighbouring island, Sumbawa.
  • Epicentrum Mall: The largest and fanciest of Lombok’s shopping centres and features a cinema and food courts.
  • Beaches: If your visit to Mataram isn’t complete without a day at the beach, there are some lovely ones within easy reach including Pantai Ampenan, Batu Payung and the real gem Senggigi Beach.

What to Eat in Mataram

Like most Asian cuisines, Indonesian food is heady with aromatic spices and complex flavours. As a visitor, it is worth trying restaurant food and street food – stalls are abundant at night-time. Some of the best things to try in Mataram include:
  • Ayam Taliwang: This highly prized dish, ubiquitous in both restaurants and at street stalls, is grilled chicken in a special sauce. The one dish everyone visiting Lombok should try!
  • Sate Bulayak: A dish of beef satay accompanied by compressed rice cakes in palm leaves served with a spicy, coconut milk sauce.
  • Beberuk Terong: Two aubergines are served together. One is raw and covered with chopped string beans and a spicy tomato sauce and the cooked one is roasted and served with a spicy sambal. It’s a popular side dish to Ayum Taliwang.
  • Plecing Kangkung: This salad is made from blanched water spinach, a dressing made from shrimp paste and chilli, deep-fried peanuts, garlic, lime juice, and grated coconut.
  • Ares: A mixed meat and fish curry that also contains young banana tree stems.

Typical Events and Festivals in Mataram

With 80+ per cent of the population being Islamic, many local festivals tend to be religion-based but there are other interesting events including:

  • Perang Topat: This quirky harvest festival takes place in November or December and is basically, a food fight with rice!
  • Peresean: Events take place on any major holiday and also in December. Peresean is a martial art with bamboo sticks.
  • Malean Sampi: Taking place at Narmada in April, this yoked cattle race is dangerous and muddy for the riders.
  • Mulang Pakelem: Only happening every five years and usually in Narmada Park, this Hindu Festival can be viewed by visitors who have attained permission. It is a prayer festival that can last up to three days.

How to Move Around in Mataram

You have a choice of motorised and non-motorised transport to get out and about and beyond the city. There are buses and bemo (small minibuses), taxis, and motorbikes. Non-motorised transport options are becak (three-wheeled pedicab>, cidomo (also known as dokar), bicycle, and on foot. It is possible to reach any part of Lombok island from Mataram

The Climate in Mataram

The climate in the city is that of the whole island of Lombok which is tropical with a distinctive rainy season. The average annual daily temperature is 26.2 °C (79.2 °F) with the highest temperatures occurring in October. December is the wettest month.

Mataram today 86°F
88°F | 77°F

In Mataram we will have moderate rain, the day will be very hot; beware of heat stroke.

    • Friday
    • 84°F | 77°F
    • Saturday
    • 86°F | 79°F
    • Sunday
    • 88°F | 79°F
    • Monday
    • 86°F | 79°F

134 Accommodations in Mataram

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Hotel Kuta Indah

Hotel Kuta Indah

6.3 mi from city centre
Hotel Kila Senggigi Beach Lombok

Hotel Kila Senggigi Beach Lombok

8.5 mi from city centre Excellent location
from26
Hostel Studio Backpacker, Senggigi

Hostel Studio Backpacker, Senggigi

7.3 mi from city centre
Hotel Lombok Holiday

Hotel Lombok Holiday

23.2 mi from city centre

Frequently asked questions about Hotels in Mataram

The most centrally located hotel in Mataram with the best ratings is: Hotel Lombok Plaza.

You can make reservations at Hotel Lombok Raya and Hotel Grand Legi if you´re looking for a hotel with valet service for your visit to Mataram.

If you´re looking for peace and quiet and want to stay at an adult-only hotel in Mataram, we recommend Hotel Lombok Raya.

According to our clients, if you´re travelling with children, the best hotels in Mataram are Hotel Grand Legi, Hotel Lombok Plaza and Hotel Lombok Raya.

If you want to save time, the hotels in Mataram with express check-in and check-out are The Chandi Boutique Resort and Hotel Lombok Raya.

Some of the options for hotels with non-smoking rooms in Mataram are The Chandi Boutique Resort, Hotel Lombok Raya and Hotel Grand Legi.

In Mataram, Hotel Kila Senggigi Beach Lombok, The Chandi Boutique Resort and Hotel Lombok Raya offer 24-hour front desk service.

If you're bringing a vehicle, we recommend that you book a hotel with parking in Mataram, like The Chandi Boutique Resort, Hotel Lombok Raya or Hotel Grand Legi.

The best hotels with a pool in Mataram are Hotel Kila Senggigi Beach Lombok, The Chandi Boutique Resort and Hotel Lombok Raya.

The best-rated hotels in Mataram with a gym are Hotel Lombok Raya and Hotel Grand Legi.