School holidays are finally here! If you are a parent, you probably know the familiar dilemma of wanting to plan a fun, memorable trip for the kids while secretly craving a restful and quiet break for yourself. Finding that perfect middle ground for a family holiday can sometimes feel like a challenge. A short family getaway is often the best solution to recharge without the exhaustion of a long, packed itinerary.
When deciding where to stay in Mandalika this holiday season, we wanted a place that offered ultimate comfort, relaxation, and zero fuss. We were simply not in the mood for a hectic travel schedule. That is exactly how we ended up spending our time at RaCottage Mandalika. We planned this short family getaway with my husband and two daughters, and it turned out to be exactly what we needed to escape the daily grind.
Strategic Location in Mandalika
One of the main reasons we absolutely love this place is its unbeatable accessibility. If you are wondering how to get there, RaCottage Mandalika is conveniently situated in the Kuta area, Pujut. Starting our journey from Mataram City, it took us just about an hour of a smooth, scenic drive to reach the property. For those flying into the island, it is merely a 25 to 30-minute drive from the Lombok International Airport.
The route is quite straightforward, but here is a handy local tip: as you drive toward the main Kuta area, keep an eye out for the road just before the iconic Surfer Statue (Tugu Peselancar). Right before that landmark, you will easily spot the path leading straight to the cottage. What makes this location a brilliant choice for where to stay in Mandalika is its proximity to major local attractions. You are only about a short 5-minute drive from the stunning white sands of Kuta Beach Mandalika, and less than 10 minutes away from the famous Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit. Additionally, for Muslim travelers, it is incredibly convenient as you can easily stop by the serene Masjid Al-Hakim Ujung nearby. Even though it is so close to all the action, the property itself is tucked away just enough to provide a peaceful, quiet environment away from the street noise.
Cozy Atmosphere for an All-Day Cottage Stay
This was actually not our first time here. We previously visited RaCottage back in 2024, and that initial charming experience left a lasting impression on us. Returning this year, we were pleasantly surprised to see how much the property has blossomed. The grounds are even more beautifully organized now, featuring a much wider selection of rooms to suit different guest needs. They are even preparing to launch a brand-new Deluxe Room type soon, which promises to be even more spacious and extra comfortable.
For this trip, the room we stayed in was perfectly clean, comfortable, and well-prepared for families. They even thoughtfully provided an extra bed for our two daughters, ensuring everyone had enough space. The peaceful atmosphere made it incredibly easy to relax and take a real break from our daily routine. I have to give a special thanks to Mr. Bachtiar for his warm hospitality and helpful assistance throughout our stay; his welcoming nature truly made the place feel like a second home.
Our Stay in the Spacious Rumah Bambu
RaCottage Mandalika turned out to be fully booked at the time, leaving us with no other option as only the Rumah Bambu room type was available. It was the exact same room type we stayed in during our previous visit back in 2024. I was initially worried the kids would get bored, but our strategy of ordering two extra beds and placing them on both sides of the main bed was a huge success. It made our two daughters incredibly thrilled. It felt like they had their own privacy to arrange their sleeping spaces, which offered a completely different experience compared to our previous staycations.
If I recall correctly, there are only two Rumah Bambu rooms here. Compared to the rest, this room feels exceptionally private, and its location is separated from the other room types. True to its name, this 64-square-meter room is heavily dominated by wooden elements from the front exterior all the way to the interior. The space is quite generous and comes equipped with a work desk and chair, a lounge chair, a wardrobe, a smart TV, shelves, as well as coffee and tea-making facilities. The bathroom is spacious and lush, featuring a beautiful semi-open concept. Whenever they weren’t swimming, the kids happily spent their time relaxing in the room by reading books, drawing, coloring, or simply watching television.
By the way, hearing that they are in the process of building several deluxe rooms got me curious, and I might just try booking one on our next visit.
How We Spent Our Overnight Staycation
Since our main goal was to simply unwind and be lazy, we practically spent our entire short getaway inside the cottage grounds. The swimming pool was undeniably the highlight of our stay. My daughters loved spending time there, happily splashing around for hours because the pool’s varying depths cater nicely to both kids and adults. But on a personal note, the biggest and most pleasant surprise of the trip was that I finally gained enough confidence to start learning how to swim in that very pool! It was such a sweet, unexpected milestone for me during our family trip.
With depths ranging from 1 to 1.6 meters, the pool is safe for children to play in, yet deep enough for adults to have an enjoyable swim. Some rooms are perfectly positioned with a pool view, making it incredibly easy to just step out and jump straight into the water. Since the pool is open 24 hours, guests are welcome to swim at any time of the day or night. But please, always keep safety first!
In addition to the Rumah Bambu room we occupied and the Deluxe Rooms being built, they offer other choices as well. You can choose from Rumah Kayu, Rumah Lumbung, and a Dormitory, which is great for those looking for budget-friendly accommodation with a shared room and bathroom setup.
What We Ate During Our Stay
Usually, when we travel, we spend a lot of time driving around looking for places to eat. Not this time. The on-site restaurant served such tasty food at reasonable prices that we did not even bother stepping out to find another dining spot. It was pure convenience. Later in the evening, we spent some peaceful quality time indoors. We read books, and the kids happily occupied themselves with drawing and coloring in the comfort of our cozy unit.
The restaurant is actually located near the pool, but it was undergoing renovations during our stay. For the time being, it is situated on the second floor, right above the lobby. From up here, we could take in the views of the surrounding hills and the neighboring accommodations. At night, it felt incredibly peaceful just gazing at the starry sky. Word has it that once the restaurant is fully renovated, this second-floor space will be turned into a wellness area for activities like yoga and similar practices.
A variety of other dishes can be ordered from 11 AM to 10 PM. Prior to those hours, only the breakfast menu is available. From the moment we checked in until it was time to check out, the four of us truly just spent our entire time at the hotel. We did not go anywhere else, even though we were already right in the Kuta Mandalika area. So, here are some foods and drinks that we ate during our stay.
Grilled Chicken RaCottage
This one is my favorite. The full name of the dish is Grilled/Fried Chicken RaCottage. Priced at IDR 70,000 per portion, it is served with rice, vegetables, and a special sauce. You simply choose whether you want the chicken fried or grilled. I actually asked to swap the rice for mashed potatoes at the time. It was incredibly delicious. The chicken seasoning was deeply absorbed, the mashed potatoes were soft and seasoned just right without being too salty, and it was truly filling!
Fried Noodle Chicken
For IDR 65,000 a portion, this dish comes with noodles, chicken fillet, vegetables, sunny side up and pickles. The noodles are not instant, but egg noodles processed with RaCottage’s unique secret recipe. This makes the flavor profile quite different from the usual noodle dishes.
Besides the dishes mentioned above, we also ordered Chicken Fried Rice, an Omelet, and assorted juices. As for breakfast, we decided to try a few different options: Scrambled Eggs (eggs, milk, toast, spicy sauce, tomato, sausage), Poached Eggs (eggs, toast, spicy sauce, tomato, sausage), and Oatmeal (milk, banana, dragon fruit, pineapple). Everything was delicious and quite affordable, with prices ranging from IDR 37,000 to 45,000 per portion, for breakfast menu.
Ideal Spot for WFA and Digital Nomads
As someone who always has a bit of writing and editing to catch up on, I was thrilled that the fast Wi-Fi allowed me to easily get some work done while enjoying the calm surroundings. While sitting there with my laptop, I noticed several surfers and digital nomads staying here as well. Honestly, that says a lot about the comfort and convenience of the place.
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We would happily recommend RaCottage Mandalika to families, surfers, digital nomads, and anyone looking for a peaceful place to stay near Mandalika. It is, without a doubt, a fantastic choice for a Lombok short getaway.
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