The financing milestone clears the way for the project’s planned opening in the first quarter of 2028 while accelerating construction across the 150-hectare beachfront destination on Lombok’s south coast.
The developer also announced another significant milestone: Samara Lombok will become home to Southeast Asia’s first Rafa Nadal Tennis Center, adding a globally recognized sports brand to a growing lineup of hospitality, culinary and lifestyle partners.
Located about 25 minutes from Lombok International Airport, Samara Lombok is being developed as Southeast Asia’s first Destination by Hyatt. When it opens, the resort will feature three boutique hotels, 150 luxury villas and 12 dining concepts as the first phase of a larger masterplan that ultimately includes 500 villas.
Construction is already well underway. The project’s first restaurant, showroom, accommodation facilities, organic gardens and food production center are now operational. More than 50 luxury villas, together with The Clubhouse and the Tiga Kelapa precinct, are currently under construction.
Moreover, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center is expected to become one of the destination’s signature attractions. The facility will feature four tennis courts and four padel courts, offering training programs based on the methodology developed by Rafa Nadal and his coaching team over more than two decades on the professional tour.
The academy joins an expanding portfolio of partners that includes celebrity chef Will Meyrick, children’s cookery expert Annabel Karmel MBE, and luxury expedition operator Rascal Voyages, which will oversee marine biology experiences and watersports. A football training center supported by an internationally recognized club partner is also planned.
Steve Ebsworth, co-founder of Samara Lombok, said the development is designed as an active lifestyle destination rather than a traditional beach resort.
“Samara is built to be a playground in the truest sense—a place where guests can be as active as they wish before coming back together over shared experiences. Bringing Rafa Nadal’s methodology to South Lombok gives guests of all ages a sporting experience that is rare in the region.”
Maribel Nadal, Deputy General Manager of Rafa Nadal Academy, said Lombok has significant international tourism potential.
“We’re very excited about the arrival of the first Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in Southeast Asia. We believe this project will help bring our methodology and passion for sport to new generations of players and families from around the world.“
Beyond its tourism appeal, Samara Lombok is also targeting second-home buyers and long-term investors. Villas will be sold under a 90-year leasehold structure, considerably longer than the 25- to 30-year leaseholds typically available in Bali and many other parts of Indonesia.
Developers say the investment proposition is further supported by more than US$3.2 billion in government-backed infrastructure projects across Lombok, as the island continues its emergence as one of Indonesia’s fastest-growing luxury tourism destinations.
With financing secured, construction advancing and a growing roster of international partners, Samara Lombok is positioning itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most significant new luxury hospitality developments ahead of its 2028 debut.
Tags: Maribel Nadal, Rafa Nadal Academy Steve Ebsworth, Samara Lombok Indonesia