Travelling is all about adventure, discovery and creating unforgettable memories. But let’s face it. Feeling safe and comfortable is essential too.
At Xanadu, we pride ourselves on providing a space where everyone (especially solo female travellers) can relax and feel right at home. Whether you’re exploring your love for surfing, chasing sunsets or ticking off Lombok bucket-list goals, we’ve got your back.
Naturally, our doors are open to everyone (yes, guys too!). But as you’ll soon find out in our chat with co-founder Ola, we have a special place in our hearts for ladies looking to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Enjoy!
Q. Hey, Ola. How are you? Can you tell us a bit about yourself! What’s your role at Xanadu?
Hey! I’m Ola, co-founder of Xanadu Surf & Yoga.
I moved to Lombok from Dubai six years ago leaving behind a very corporate job I had for seven years.
Starting Xanadu marked the beginning of my island adventure. You really couldn’t imagine a bigger contrast than Dubai and Lombok.
I’m originally from Poland, but I left at 20 to study in the UK and spent a year in Spain as well. After finishing my thesis, I went back to Poland for a few months, then Dubai happened.
The rest is history!
Q. This article is specifically about the women that run Xanadu. Can you tell us about the role of women at the Village and Retreat locations?
We’re proud to promote women in the workforce and many amazing women are part of the Xanadu team.
In fact, Xanadu Village is almost entirely run by women with the exception of our incredible housekeeper Joe, Bryan (our lead yoga teacher) and our awesome security guys.
Maya manages day-to-day operations at Xanadu Village. Leah is our surf manager (meet her here), Bidang leads the kitchen and Ayu and Watti take care of housekeeping. Watti has actually been with us since day one!
At Xanadu Retreat, the team is larger and more mixed, but we’re lucky to have some incredible women across all areas. From the bar and kitchen teams to the spa, HR, front desk and the surf crew, women play a huge role in our daily operations.
Just like we strive to create a safe and supportive environment for our guests, we do the same for our team.
We’ve held several awareness sessions to help everyone understand cultural nuances and maintain a respectful, professional atmosphere.
And yes, our female guests definitely notice (and appreciate) that they can learn to surf without being hit on by their instructors. Professionalism looks good on everyone.
Q. We get lots of female travellers at Xanadu. Have you ever been asked whether you’re a female-only surf and yoga resort? What do you think it is that attracts women to Xanadu?
We’ve had quite a few women stay with us.
So much so that in the beginning people often asked if we were a female-only space. The answer is no… that wouldn’t be fair to Utsav (my co-founder at Xanadu)!
That said, we’re proud to have created an inclusive environment where women feel safe and supported, which is something we deeply value.
Our mission is to ensure that all guests, regardless of gender, feel welcome, cared for and at ease during their stay.
Of course, we understand that solo travel can sometimes feel more daunting for women. And it’s incredibly rewarding to receive such positive feedback from our female guests about their experiences here.
We believe this sense of safety and inclusivity is one of the main reasons so many women choose to stay with us. That being said, we warmly welcome everyone.
Guys included!
Q. Surfing has traditionally been a male-dominated sport, though that’s gradually shifting. Do you believe spaces like Xanadu are contributing to this change? If so, how?
It’s true that male dominance is a common sight in the surfing world, but surprisingly you don’t feel it as much here in Lombok.
That’s one of the reasons I fell in love with this island.
It was a revelation to see so many women in the lineup. The local surfers have also been incredibly welcoming, which likely has something to do with the forgiving nature of Lombok’s waves.
However, in many other places, lineups are overwhelmingly dominated by men. The experience can be intimidating. I’ve faced countless situations where I’ve been on the receiving end of unsolicited advice, patronising remarks or outright disregard.
Often, guys would paddle around me, assuming I wouldn’t catch the wave, effectively dismissing my place in the lineup as if it didn’t matter.
It took me a long time to feel like I belonged there just as much as anyone else.
Even now, it’s a journey. I’m constantly improving my surf skills and challenging myself with bigger waves, but I’ve noticed a shift in my mindset. I’m starting to claim my space in the water and my confidence is growing.
That’s why I see Xanadu as a force for change in breaking the male-dominated culture of surfing.
By fostering a supportive and welcoming environment, Xanadu helps women build both their surf skills and their confidence. It’s a space where women can learn without feeling intimidated.
Plus, having two female surf managers on the team ensures that the unique challenges women face—challenges men might not fully understand—are addressed with empathy and insight.
Q. That’s really inspiring! How has your experience been running a business as a woman in Lombok?
It’s been challenging to run a business. Full stop. I’ve learned to be pretty assertive haha!
There’s a common misconception that being a woman in business is particularly challenging on a predominantly Muslim island. Many assume it would be difficult to navigate, but in my experience that hasn’t been the case.
Neither in Dubai nor in Lombok, where Islam is the dominant religion, have I ever felt disadvantaged, disrespected or undermined because of my gender.
One moment that stands out was during the construction of Xanadu Village when my business partner, Utsav, visited Lombok. Despite him standing by my side, the construction workers would direct their questions to me—not him—even about technical issues like the pipes.
It was clear to them who was leading the project.
In fact, the architect and construction coordinator of Xanadu Retreat was also a woman.
She managed the entire construction (an enormous undertaking!) with remarkable skill and leadership.
Q. That’s cool to hear. Why do you think that is?
I’ve always believed in the principle of “give respect, get respect”.
Treating people with dignity and professionalism has consistently opened doors and fostered mutual understanding.
That said, this journey hasn’t been without its challenges.
I’ve had to pick up unexpected skills, like fixing pool pumps and sanding walls—tasks I never imagined I’d tackle. There were also plenty of moments of miscommunication, which in hindsight have turned into entertaining anecdotes.
Overall, the experience has been an empowering reminder that respect and capability transcend gender, even in environments where cultural norms might suggest otherwise.
Q. Well said! Last but not least, we’ll take a trip down memory lane. Is there a moment during your time at Xanadu that really stands out?
Over the past six years, there have been countless memorable moments, but today I want to highlight one that truly stands out and celebrates women.
During our surf team’s ISA (International Surfing Association) training, they were tasked with teaching beginner students as part of their assessment.
We extended the invitation to our operations team to participate in the lesson and I was overjoyed to see so many local female team members take part!
This was a huge milestone—seeing Lombok women in the surf lineup is incredibly rare.
Yet, that day, several of our female team members stood up on a surfboard for the very first time.
It was an inspiring moment of courage and progress!
Xanadu Village and Retreat are both open for bookings.
If you’re craving tropical warmth, fresh and delicious meals prepared by our chef and a chance to learn or improve your surfing skills book below!
