Karma Royal Group ushers in barefoot luxury to The Gillis, the idyllic trio of islands clustered near the northwestern corner of Lombok, Indonesia, with the opening of The Reef on 19th October 2013. Located on Gili Meno, the tiniest of the three Gilis, the luxury boutique resort will operate under Karma Royal Group’s Chakra Resorts brand and brings to 24 the group’s total number of resorts across Southeast Asia, India, Australia and Europe.
“The Reef embodies the fulfilment of everyone’s Robinson Crusoe fantasy of being stranded on an exotic tropical island, “ said John Spence, Chairman and CEO of Karma Royal Group. “If your idea of a perfect holiday is to literally leave the world behind, go barefoot in the sand, celebrate incredible sunsets, then it’s time to discover The Reef at Gil Meno. A Chakra Resort for the sophisticated leisure traveller who appreciates the fun of laidback luxury, exploring local culture and emerging destinations, where you can simply get lost and maybe – in the process – find yourself all over again. At Chakra Resorts – life’s an adventure!”
The Reef sits on a sprawling four hectares, of which only one has been developed for the resort; its architectural reliance on bamboo and other ethnic local materials making The Reef completely harmonious in blending seamlessly with pristine island grassland dotted with palm trees and a myriad of local flora and fauna, fringed with long stretches of secluded white sandy beaches and laced by the gently lapping waves of the crystal blue Bali Sea.
Guests at The Reef can experience laidback sophistication with an authentic indigenous touch for the resort’s collection of charming lumbung bungalows, all sea-facing and with expansive private balconies to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living. The lumbung or “rice granary” is an intrinsic part of the local architectural heritage of The Gillis, as well as of surrounding islands Lombok and Bali. Constructed with bamboo and other locally sourced materials and traditionally used to store rice under the protection of the Indonesian goddess Dewi Sri, with the modernisation of farming methods, lumbungs are now seldom used for storage and have instead been resurrected as dwellings.
Each lumbung at The Reef sleeps a maximum of four people and is fully appointed for optimum comfort and relaxation, with a private kitchen and ensuite bathroom, flat-screen television and DVD player, tea and coffee making amenities, telephone and air-conditioning. The Reef’s Karma Beach Club has seating for 70 diners, who can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner with unobstructed views of shimmering azure waters, or bask lazily in the sun on daybeds at the resort’s white sandy beachfront. Much like the Karma Beach Clubs in Bali and Fiji, Mediterranean-meets-New-World cuisine takes center stage, with an emphasis on abundant, locally caught seafood and a modern twist on traditional Indonesian dishes. Customized Chakra Signature Cocktails complement the resort’s concept of casual-chic dining that encourages leisurely grazing and sharing during long lunches, while enjoying Gili Meno’s awe-inspiring views and idyllic island lifestyle. Entry to thebeach club is free.
Concierge services at The Reef provide a knowledgeable guide to the island’s and the neighbouring Gillis’ comprehensive snorkeling and scuba diving sites, including a peek at the sea turtles often seen nestling at the beach right in front of the resort as well as more adventurous marine life-gazing excursions in the resort’s glass-bottomed boat. Tucked into the northwestern corner of Lombok, Indonesia are three atolls, where the sand is still powdery white, the water a clear sparkling turquoise and the distant sunsets over Bali’s volcano Mt. Agung in the west, simply spectacular. Fringed by colourful coral reefs, home to turtle hatcheries and legendary dive sites, and blessed with miles and miles of white sandy beaches, Lombok’s Gili Islands, a cluster also known as the “Turtle Capital of the World”, offer the type of adventure beach holiday paradise fast disappearing in today’s commercialised tourism capitals. Originally “discovered” by backpackers in the mid-eighties, The Gilis has slowly shed its former racy reputation as an illicit party spot and has now evolved as a world-class scuba diving destination and a diverse, unspoilt adventure island hideaway suitable for families and travellers of all ages.
Gili Meno, perched in between its bigger sister islands Gili Air and Gili Trawangan, is the enchanting island home of The Reef; as the smallest island of the trio, it is least frequented by tourists, thereby offering absolute privacy and seclusion sought after by honeymooners and adventure travellers seeking a complete get-away. Among the island’s attractions are a saltwater lake and a bird sanctuary and splendid dive sites, such as the Meno Wall, Sea Turtle Point and Blue Coral Point. Sparsely populated by about 300 locals, the island has no cars or motorcycles; all travel is by horse-drawn carriages, known as cidomos, by bicycle or on foot.
Direct public boat transfers to Gili Meno can be arranged from Bangsal Harbour on Lombok Island, approximately thirty minutes away, or Padang Bai Harbour in Bali, approximately 75 minutes away; travel between the three Gilis takes between five to ten minutes via regular daily island-hopping boats. Helicopter transfers are also available. Lombok International Airport, on Lombok’s south side, is the closest airport to The Gillis while Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar serves a greater number of international routes.
For enquiries and reservations, guests may contact The Reef directly, by telephone or facsimile: +62 (0)370 642 340.
Chakra Resorts represents a new tier in the ever-expanding resort portfolio of the Karma Royal Group. Sitting between the Karma and Royal properties, the Chakra brand combines affordable luxury with idyllic locations and a banquet of tailored experiences in true Karma style. A common DNA runs through the brand yet each resort features a distinct character reflecting the indigenous origins of its landscape and culture. The Chakra concept originates from the ancient Hindu belief in bodily energy centres that provide vital life-force. When all seven chakras are aligned the resulting positive energy will smooth the flow of one’s existence. This concept infiltrates the design perspective of every resort and is represented by a significant colour and a unique spiritual vibration.
BACKGROUND ON KARMA ROYAL GROUP
Karma Royal Group is headed by Chairman and CEO, John Spence. Karma Royal Group is comprised of Royal Resorts, Karma Resorts, Chakra Resorts, Beach Club International and Karma Spa and has undergone significant expansion to its global network in recent years. This expansion includes the acquisition of The Alpen Club ski resort in Germany, the iconic Rottnest Lodge on Rottnest Island, Western Australia, the development of Karma Bahamas on Little Harbour Island and the purchase of one of the world’s iconic estates - the magnificent former home of Laura Ashley “Le Preverger” in the Cote D’Azur. Further expansion includes land acquisition and development plans in Cuba, Brazil, Japan, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean. Karma Royal Group continues to set industry benchmarks with its passion and innovation in providing new products to engage its over 55,000 members and loyal clients throughout the world.
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