A seasoned hotelier with over 30 years of experience, Budi Wahjono SE,M.Par, CHIA helms this iconic Mandalika’s hidden gem.
The first Accor premium-scale resort on Lombok, with a total of 257 stylish, extra-spacious rooms, suites, and villas in 9 categories, located right on the beach. Surrounded by enchanting Indian Ocean views, this is the Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort, where all rooms, suites, and villas mix modern design with traditional Sasak art from the local tribe and feature superb facilities and bespoke services that are ideal for exploring Lombok’s pristine beaches, discovering local delicacies and crafts, or simply chilling at the visionary, free-form pool. The hotel is also conveniently situated for the pristine Kuta Lombok beach and the prestigious international racing circuit.
A seasoned hotelier with over 30 years of experience, Budi Wahjono SE, M.Par, CHIA helms this iconic Mandalika hidden gem. He has extensive working experience in various well-known brands of hotels and resorts, particularly in the Middle East, where he spent almost 8 years working specifically in Qatar, Kuwait, and Egypt. Additionally, he has undertaken General Manager and Corporate roles for about 11 years at many hotels and resorts, including the Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort. Budi, who also likes golf and fishing for their high levels of focus, concentration, patience, and endurance, has gained skills applicable in his workplace. Budi says, “In the professional world, there are times when we need to be patient and make well-timed decisions to reach our goals. However, this can also be very demanding, so maintaining excellent endurance is crucial.”
Within a few short years, Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort has achieved numerous great performances and global recognition, proven by winning several prestigious awards at both national and international levels, including:
- Best Luxury Beachfront Resort – ASIA 2023, from World Luxury Hotel Awards
- Best Large Luxury Hotel – Indonesia 2024, from International Hotel Awards
- Runner Up Best Family Hotel in Indonesia 2024, from Little Step Asia
- Runner Up Best Hotels and Resorts for Families in Indonesia in 2024, from TRAVEL+LEISURE
- TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for 2024
- Recommended Partner by Traveloka 2024
Budi was happy to share with us about the hotel’s recent updates and future developments. “We accommodate your next-level staycation, with super spacious units, high-standards of privacy and comfort top of mind, and your anticipation of amazing flavours at our F&B outlets. We have two restaurants including Sgara, which offers the finest seafood restaurant in Lombok, and two bars which serve food and beverages blending the best of local and international influences. For refreshing rejuvenation, dive into our free-form pool, with its natural backdrop of stunning ocean views.” Budi adds, “For this summer school break we have a special package ‘Summer Bash’ for guests who wish to enjoy a relaxing staycation with fun-filled activities for the whole family, valid through to the 31st of July 2024, and where ALL-Accor Live Limitless members can enjoy 5% off and Accor Plus members can enjoy an extra 10% off. “To better serve our guests, particularly our patron customers, Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort plans to build a jetty and introduce various new programs, establishing ourselves as a benchmark in Lombok. One of our exciting initiatives is the ‘Sunset Picnic by The Beach’, where we will collaborate with trusted partners to ensure their success in the future. And not to mention our renewed hotel activities program to ensure more memorable stays.”
Being asked the question, how can one enjoy Mandalika to the fullest, and which attractions or interesting places that you would recommend? Budi answers, “Mandalika can be enjoyed in many ways, according to your preferences. Starting with magnificent natural tourist destinations, delicious culinary experiences, and an unforgettable visit to the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit. Several tourist destinations in the Kuta Mandalika area which are close to the Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort include the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, Seger Hill, the phenomenal Merese Hill, Tanjung Aan Beach, Selong Belanak Beach, Mandalika Beach Club, and, of course, the culinary area in Kuta center.”
Another question is raised, what are future tourism trends or behaviors, and how we can adapt to them? Budi fires back with a confident statement, saying “Mandalika’s brand image is rooted in sports tourism, supported by numerous world-class features and stakeholders, such as the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, as well as a golf course and horse racing track that will be completed soon. As a result, future visitors to Mandalika will be more focused on experiencing these various types of sports tourism experiences and attractions. Most importantly, Pullman Lombok Merujani Mandalika Beach Resort has been successful in demonstrating our ability to adapt to current trends, for example during the WSBK and MotoGP competitions, we were able to provide all requirements by the organizers, riders, and event attendees, including premium accommodation, parking, security, conference rooms, and VVIP cuisine for VVIP guests and riders at the PERTAMINA Mandalika International Street Circuit. All of these, we believe, will bring more potential for Indonesia on the global map of sports tourism and beyond.”
