On Lombok hotel and resort price lists, the “++” symbol (spoken as “plus plus”) means the quoted rate excludes service charge and government tax, which are added to your bill at checkout. As of 2026, the standard Lombok hotel service charge and tax adds 21% to the published price: a 10% service charge is applied first, then a 10% government tax is calculated on that new subtotal, so the two charges compound to 121% of the printed rate. A suite listed at IDR 5,000,000++ per night therefore actually costs IDR 6,050,000 once both lines are added.
This one detail surprises more first-time visitors than almost anything else on a Lombok trip. Below we break down exactly how the math works, when the charges are already included in your rate, how tipping fits alongside a mandatory service charge, and how much cash you realistically need in Senggigi, Kuta Mandalika, the Gili Islands, and the south coast surf beaches.
What Does “++” Mean on a Lombok Price List?
The double plus sign is shorthand used across Indonesian hospitality. Each plus represents one additional charge on top of the base rate:
- First “+”: service charge. A mandatory charge, typically 10%, that the property collects and distributes to its staff under Indonesian hospitality practice. It is not an optional tip and it is not negotiable.
- Second “+”: government tax. A local tax on hotel and restaurant services, typically 10% in Lombok as of 2026, collected by the property and remitted to the regional government.
You will also see the notation “+” (a single plus, meaning only tax or only service is added) and “nett” or “net” (meaning the price already includes everything). At luxury resorts in Senggigi and Kuta Mandalika, restaurant menus, spa price lists, and room-service cards are commonly quoted “++”, while package rates and confirmed booking totals are usually quoted nett. Whenever a Lombok price looks unusually attractive, check the fine print first — the difference between “++” and “nett” is over a fifth of the bill.
How Is the Lombok Hotel Service Charge and Tax Calculated?
The two charges are not simply added together as 10% + 10% = 20%. The tax is calculated on the rate after the service charge has been applied, which is why the true total is 21%, not 20%. Here is the full calculation on a sample villa rate:
| Line | Calculation | Amount (IDR) |
|---|---|---|
| Published room rate | — | 5,000,000 |
| Service charge (10%) | 10% of 5,000,000 | 500,000 |
| Subtotal | 5,000,000 + 500,000 | 5,500,000 |
| Government tax (10%) | 10% of 5,500,000 | 550,000 |
| Total payable | 5,000,000 × 1.21 | 6,050,000 |
The shortcut worth memorizing: multiply any “++” price by 1.21 to get the real cost. A USD 300++ beachfront pool villa is really about USD 363. A IDR 1,500,000++ dinner for two at a resort restaurant becomes roughly IDR 1,815,000. Percentages can vary slightly between properties and districts, so treat 21% as the standard planning figure and confirm the exact rate on your booking confirmation.
Are Taxes Already Included in Online Booking Rates?
Usually, yes — but verify before you rely on it. Major international booking platforms are generally required to display totals with taxes and fees for most markets, and the final checkout price on reputable platforms typically includes the full Lombok hotel service charge and tax. The places you are most likely to meet surprise “++” pricing in Lombok are:
- Direct email quotes from resorts and private villas, which frequently quote base rates “++” and add the 21% on the invoice.
- On-property spending: restaurants, bars, spa treatments, laundry, private dining setups, and activity desks almost always price “++”.
- Peak-event pricing around the MotoGP weekend at the Mandalika circuit, when quotes move quickly and fine print gets skimmed.
- Yacht charters, private guides, and Rinjani trekking operators, where some quote nett, some quote “++”, and some quote a mix across the same itinerary.
A practical habit: whenever you receive any quote in Lombok, reply with one line — “Is this price nett, inclusive of service and tax?” A professional operator will answer immediately. When we source villas and luxury resorts in Lombok for clients, every figure we present is a nett, final number for exactly this reason.
Do You Still Need to Tip If Service Charge Is Included?
No — tipping in Lombok is optional once a 10% service charge is on the bill, because that charge already functions as the institutional tip and is shared among staff. That said, discretionary cash tips for standout personal service are always appreciated and increasingly common at the luxury level. Sensible, indicative benchmarks as of 2026:
- Porters and bellstaff: IDR 20,000–50,000 per interaction.
- Housekeeping: IDR 20,000–50,000 per day, left daily rather than as a lump sum, since teams rotate.
- Private drivers and airport transfers from Lombok International Airport (LOP): IDR 50,000–100,000 for a half-day or a long transfer.
- Surf guides, boat crew, and trekking guides: IDR 100,000–200,000 per day for genuinely excellent service, more after a multi-day Rinjani trek or private charter.
- Spa therapists and butlers: IDR 50,000–100,000 handed directly, since direct tips may bypass the pooled service charge.
These are guidelines, not rules — no one in Lombok will chase you for a tip, and warmth and a genuine thank-you carry real weight in Sasak culture. Tip in rupiah where possible; small foreign banknotes are hard for staff to exchange.
How Much Cash Should You Carry in Lombok?
Less than you might fear, more than you would in Bali. Luxury resorts and established restaurants take cards (Visa and Mastercard most reliably), but a card surcharge of around 2–3% is still common at smaller venues, and connectivity-dependent card machines do fail. A comfortable working rule for a couple traveling at the luxury level is IDR 1,500,000–2,500,000 in cash per day for tips, beach club incidentals, local warung meals, and small purchases — with card and bank transfer covering the big-ticket items.
Senggigi and the West Coast
The most banked area of the island. ATMs and money changers are easy to find, and resorts can usually arrange cash advances. Carry a normal day’s float only.
Kuta Mandalika and the South Coast
Kuta town itself has plentiful ATMs, but once you head out to Selong Belanak or Tanjung Aan for surf mornings and beach picnics, assume cash-only for beach vendors, local warungs, board rentals, and parking attendants. Withdraw before you drive out.
The Gili Islands
The tightest cash environment. ATMs on Gili Trawangan exist but run out of notes in high season (May–October, Lombok’s dry season, is the busiest window), and fees are higher. If your itinerary includes a fast-boat day trip or an overnight on the Gilis, bring all the cash you expect to need from the mainland.
Note that Indonesian ATMs typically dispense in IDR 50,000 or 100,000 notes with per-transaction limits around IDR 1,250,000–3,000,000 depending on the bank, so drawing a multi-day float can take several transactions. Money changers offer better flexibility for larger amounts — use established, authorized offices only.
How Do Private Villas and Charters Handle Tax and Service?
Private villa rentals and yacht charters are the least standardized corner of Lombok pricing. Some villas quote fully nett rates; others quote “++” exactly like hotels; charters may quote the boat nett but the catering “++”. This is where a single accountable operator earns its keep. Our Lombok luxury packages consolidate villa sourcing, itinerary design, airport transfers, and charters into one itemized, nett-priced proposal — one number, no asterisks, with the Lombok hotel service charge and tax already settled inside every line. All figures in this guide are indicative for planning; final pricing always depends on the property, season, and current regulations.
Quick Answers for Lombok Travelers
- What does ++ mean in Lombok? The price excludes 10% service charge and 10% government tax, added at billing.
- What is the Lombok hotel service charge and tax total? 21% as of 2026, because the 10% tax compounds on top of the 10% service charge.
- Is tipping expected? Optional. The service charge covers it; small cash tips for exceptional service are appreciated.
- Best currency? Indonesian rupiah, in small-to-medium notes for tips and beach days.
- Where is cash most essential? The Gili Islands and the south coast beaches around Selong Belanak and Tanjung Aan.
Planning a Lombok escape and want every price presented as one honest, final number? Luxury Lombok is part of Juara Holding Group — operating from Bali across Indonesia since 2015 — and our team handles villa sourcing, full itineraries, and private transfers end to end. Message us on WhatsApp at +62 811-3941-4563 or email bd@juaraholding.com, and we will send you a nett-priced proposal with the tax and service math already done.
