Mr & Mrs Smith

Mr & Mrs Smith have a trip to this rustic Lombok resort in the diary, and just as soon as they've unpacked their sarongs and sunscreen, a full account of their stay in Indonesia will be with you. In the meantime, just to whet your wanderlust, here's a quick postcard from this lush divers’ paradise…

One of the best things about visiting a boutique hotel is when you can see the owner’s personality stamped all over it – assuming it’s a personality you want to be staying in, of course. There’s no danger of dislike at Puri Mas, though; Dutch owner Marcel de Rijk has laboured to create a dual-centre resort with the traditional friendly feel of an Indonesian village, but thrown in a few quirks of his own. The restaurant, for example, doubles as a ballroom dance studio, where de Rijk offers lessons to his guests (he’s a former world champion). In the grounds outside his own villa, you’ll find his collection of animals and birds, including cockatoos, porcupines, monkeys and dogs.  

Puri Mas’ two sites – one chilling in the jungle, one basking on the beach – are both set in meticulously manicured gardens and contain an array of traditional thatched suites and villas, all filled with ornate features, Lombok antiques and intricate carvings. Though sparse on technology (you can, if you must, request a TV and DVD player), each suite or villa blends Lombok, Balinese and Javanese design touches to create a peaceful hideaway amid verdant gardens of palm and frangipani. Stunning, soothing and, above all, personable, Puri Mas is a one-of-a-kind labour of love that can quickly become an addiction.