Samara Lombok is advancing the development of its integrated hospitality destination through new institutional investment and a series of international brand partnerships, reinforcing its expansion strategy ahead of its scheduled opening in the first quarter of 2028. The project recently secured a substantial investment from Westgrove Partners while also confirming that Southeast Asia's first Rafa Nadal Tennis Center will be established within the destination.
Located on a 150-hectare site on Lombok's south coast, Samara Lombok is being developed as a mixed-use hospitality destination combining hotels, branded residences, sports facilities, wellness experiences, dining concepts, and outdoor recreation. The latest announcements add internationally recognized brands across hospitality and sports as construction progresses toward the project's launch.
The investment from Westgrove Partners fully funds the final phase of development and confirms the project's targeted opening in Q1 2028. Following the funding commitment, Samara Lombok reported that construction activities have accelerated across multiple components of the destination.
Several facilities have already entered operation, including the project's first restaurant, showroom, accommodation offerings, organic gardens, and food production facilities. Construction is also underway on more than 50 luxury villas, The Clubhouse, and Tiga Kelapa.
At opening, the destination is expected to include three boutique hotels, 150 villas, and 12 dining concepts. Samara Lombok has also confirmed Southeast Asia's first Destination by Hyatt as part of its hospitality portfolio.
Alongside the hospitality offering, Samara Lombok continues to expand its lineup of operating partners across lifestyle, culinary, sports, and wellness. Celebrity chef Will Meyrick will curate dining concepts for the destination, while children's cookery specialist Annabel Karmel MBE will contribute family-focused culinary experiences.
Marine biology and wellness experiences will be operated by Rascal Voyages. The development also plans to introduce football training facilities supported by a globally recognized club partner, with additional academy partnerships scheduled to be announced.
A key addition to the destination is Southeast Asia's first Rafa Nadal Tennis Center. The internationally recognized tennis brand selected Samara Lombok as its first location in the region, expanding beyond its existing flagship academies in Mallorca and Kuwait.
The sports facility will include four championship tennis courts and four padel courts positioned within the center of the destination. Coaching programs will be available for players of different ages and skill levels using the methodology developed by Rafa Nadal and his technical team over two decades on the professional tennis tour.
Steve Ebsworth, Co-Founder of Samara Lombok, said the destination is designed to combine hospitality with active lifestyle experiences, allowing guests to participate in a range of sports and recreational activities within a single integrated environment. He said world-class tennis and padel are central elements of the destination and that bringing Rafa Nadal's methodology to South Lombok provides a sporting experience aligned with the project's overall vision.
Maribel Nadal, Deputy General Manager of Rafa Nadal Academy, said the organization is excited to establish its first Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in Southeast Asia. She described Lombok as a destination with significant international potential and said the project will introduce the academy's methodology and passion for sport to new generations of players and families from around the world.
The addition of the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center also strengthens Samara Lombok's residential component. The company said the internationally recognized sports institution enhances the appeal of the development for lifestyle investors and second-home buyers seeking access to an emerging luxury destination during its early development stage.
Samara Lombok plans to develop a total of 500 villas across the project, with 150 scheduled for delivery during the initial phase. The residences will be available in 12 designs ranging from two-bedroom to five-bedroom layouts.
A limited number of turnkey villas remain available for investors. The offering includes fixed pricing, milestone-based payment schedules, construction periods of approximately 15 to 18 months, and 90-year leasehold ownership. Samara Lombok noted that the lease structure is longer than the 25- to 30-year leasehold arrangements commonly found across Bali and other parts of Indonesia.
The company also highlighted that the long-term investment proposition is supported by more than US$3.2 billion in government infrastructure investment flowing into Lombok.
As development continues toward the Q1 2028 opening, Samara Lombok is expanding its portfolio of international hospitality, sports, culinary, and lifestyle partners while progressing construction across accommodation, residential, dining, and recreational facilities within the integrated destination.