22°CThe Story Behind our Hotel Quotes & TLLH® Words Worth Keeping
The Story Behind #WWK
It all started with our Belgian accountant. Many years ago, long before The Lombok Lodge Boutique Hotel existed, our accountant had a little ritual. Every Monday to Friday, a piece of daily wisdom would arrive in my inbox.
Sometimes profound. Sometimes simple. Sometimes it made me smile. And every now and then, a quote would make me stop for a moment and think. Before long, I found myself looking forward to those emails.
Perhaps that is where my love for little words of wisdom began.
Because a few carefully chosen words can do something rather wonderful: change your mood, shift your perspective, or simply remind you of what really matters.
#WWK – Words Worth Keeping
A Little Wisdom at Turndown
When we opened The Lombok Lodge Boutique Hotel, there was never much doubt that these little words would somehow become part of the guest experience.
At turndown, instead of the traditional chocolate on the pillow, our guests would discover a quote.
There was a practical reason for this, too.
As a Belgian, I grew up rather spoiled when it comes to chocolate. And – sorry, Indonesia – especially in those early years #2010, finding chocolate locally that could compete with the Belgian chocolate I knew and loved was not so easy.
Today, of course, importing wonderful Belgian chocolate is perfectly possible.
But then again …
‘… There Are No Traffic Jams Along The Extra Mile … ‘
– Roger Staubach –
So we still keep our quotes.
TLLH® Words Worth Keeping #WWK
Today, our turndown quotes had become much more than an alternative to a chocolate on the pillow.
They had become part of who we are.
A little thought before going to sleep.
A few words about friendship, kindness, happiness, travel, love or simply enjoying the moment.
Something to make you smile.
Something to make you think.
Something worth remembering.
Words Worth Keeping. #WWK
From the Pillow to the Coaster
Many years later, another little idea appeared.
In Belgium, we call it a ‘bierviltje’ – literally the little mat underneath your beer glass. In English: a coaster.
Growing up in Belgium, coasters were everywhere. Traditionally, they were practical little things, protecting the table beneath your glass and very often carrying the name of a brewery.
But why should a coaster only carry a brand name?
Why couldn’t it carry a thought?
As so often happens in hospitality, the idea really came to life thanks to one of our guests.
Why not put the Lombok Lodge quotes on coasters?
We loved it.
Suddenly, our #WWK could travel from the pillow to the table.
Underneath your coffee, or your afternoon refreshment.
You lift your glass and discover a few unexpected words.
Perhaps something that makes you smile.
Perhaps something that makes you pause.
Perhaps something you want to photograph, share – or keep.
And that is precisely the idea behind Words Worth Keeping
From Coaster to Cork | Sustainability, Naturally
We wanted our coasters to feel different from the traditional disposable bierviltje, so we chose cork.
Cork is a remarkable natural material. It comes from the outer bark of the cork oak tree. The bark can be carefully harvested without cutting down the tree. The cork oak remains alive and continues growing, while its bark regenerates and can be harvested again years later.
Natural, tactile, warm and beautifully imperfect – it felt right for Lombok.
But for us, sustainability is about more than the material.
It is also about the people behind it.
A Love of Words
My love of words goes back much further than The Lombok Lodge.
From my earliest years at elementary school, I loved to write — mainly the act of handwriting itself. There was something I loved about putting pen to paper, forming the letters and seeing words appear on the page. I adored my teachers and loved going to school. Quite the opposite of my husband, Ben — but that is another story!
Over the years, that love of handwriting grew into a love of languages and beautiful wording too. And all these years later, I still love putting pen to paper.
One of my favourite things to write is the personal welcome letter for our guests – even more so since we started creating our own sustainable paper, handmade from banana leaves.
The Writer’s Bar at our Boutique Hotel
One of my favourite places to write is The Writer’s Bar at The Lombok Lodge Boutique Hotel, early in the morning as the sun rises over Lombok and Mount Rinjani.
Those quiet first hours of the day are rather magical. A new day beginning, a blank page waiting, a coffee beside me – and time to think, write and find the right words.
Perhaps that is why Words Worth Keeping feels so personal to me.
The BAGUSSEKALI COLLECTION | Beautiful in More Ways Than One
Over the years, our commitment to the local community has grown alongside our properties.
We believe tourism should create opportunities beyond the walls of a hotel: meaningful work, new skills and additional income for local artisans, craftspeople, women and families in the communities around us.
That philosophy lies behind our BAGUSSEKALI Hotel Collection.
Our exclusive hotel collection boasts an exquisite array of Crockery, Wooden Items, and more
Each piece crafted with meticulous attention to detail
‘Bagus Sekali’ is an Indonesian phrase that translates to ‘very good’ or’ excellent’ in English
‘Bagus’ means ‘Good’ – ‘Sekali’ means ‘Very’ or ‘Extremely’
When combined, ‘bagus sekali’ emphasizes the quality, indicating something is Exceptionally Good or Excellent
But we believe something becomes even more beautiful when there is a meaningful story behind it.
Our Words Worth Keeping collection is one of those stories.
A Box of Wisdom as a souvenir #WWK
Today, our original wooden turndown quotes and as well our cork coasters have found their way from our guest rooms and tables into our hotel boutique.
Why? Because so many of our guests wanted to take them home.
And we couldn’t think of a better compliment.
So now, a selection of our favourite #WordsWorthKeeping comes together in a handcrafted wooden box
WORDS WORTH KEEPING
by The Lombok Lodge Hospitality
#TLLHWordsWorthKeeping
Ten little thoughts discovered during your holiday
Ten little reminders to take home
Ten #WWK
But perhaps the most beautiful part of the box is something you cannot immediately see.
Little Gifts, with Lots of Love from beautiful Lombok
Our little Boxes of Wisdom now help us provide additional work and income for five local Lombok families.
There are many hands behind something so seemingly simple.
Small Words. Bigger Meaning.
The hands preparing the cork.
The women carefully adding the words.
The carpenter crafting the wooden boxes.
The people finishing, assembling and preparing every piece.
One coaster is a very small thing.
A few words are a very small thing.
But many small things, made with purpose, can create something much bigger: work, skills, pride and opportunity.
And that, for us, is another kind of sustainability.
It’s All in the Family
For me, that is what meaningful hospitality should be about.
Creating beautiful experiences for the people who come to visit us, certainly.
But also making sure their presence creates something positive for the people who call Lombok home.
Today, The Lombok Lodge Hospitality family has grown to 140 proud brand ambassadors.
Different talents. Different roles. Different families. One shared purpose.
And perhaps it all comes back to those emails from my accountant many years ago.
‘ … Sometimes the smallest things carry the greatest meaning … ‘
Words worth reading.
Words worth sharing.
Words Worth Keeping.
#WWK
It’s all in the family
The happy family behind The Lombok Lodge Hospitality®
#TLLHWordsWorthKeeping
‘… Get Some Souvenirs Of Your Travels, Or How Will You Ever Prove It Wasn’t All A Dream…’?
Ashleigh Brilliant
Ibu Antje
I’m Ibu Antje; Founder, Owner and 'Chief of Magic' at The Lombok Lodge Hospitality®. With over 15 years of experience in luxury hospitality, I am passionate about creating meaningful and bespoke travel experiences across the breathtaking island of Lombok and the Gili Islands in Indonesia. My love for Lombok comes from the island’s breathtaking beauty, its rich traditions, and the warmth of its people. It inspires me every day to share this special place with others by creating meaningful and memorable experiences that allow guests to truly feel the spirit of Lombok and the Gili Islands. Follow my daily life in Lombok & Gili - and more things I adore - on Instagram @ibu.antje
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