Ari Homestay & Café

Ari Homestay & Café sits right on Thomas Beach, one of the quieter sandy beaches on the Bukit's west coast, reached from Jl. Labuansait No. 10B. The family who run it have a small number of rooms and a beachside café, and the terraces look straight over the sand and the reef breaks offshore.

Rooms are simple, but the location is the point: you wake up to the sound of the surf and can walk straight on to the beach. The café serves Indonesian dishes, fresh fish and vegetables, juices and cold drinks, and is popular with day visitors as well as guests. Thomas Beach is usually less crowded than Padang Padang, though the stairs down from the road are steep.

Ari Homestay has a 4.5 rating on Google, and reviewers often mention the warmth of the owner and staff. There is no website, so book by phone or WhatsApp, or ask at the café. Bring cash for the café, and expect a walk up the stairs to reach your scooter or taxi.