Hadn't been before. Flight over is 'interesting' and only 25mins. Important to reconfirm flights as Merpati often cancel planes or change flights without notifying you. Current flights 8am or 8pm. Planes are Fokkers (with wing propellers). Small box snack (drink and pastry).
We stayed at Sengiggi Beach Hotel - half hour from the airport (had transfers arranged). Nice hotel, but too large for our liking - from our room (317), cut lunch and a water bag to the pool, restaurant and beach. However, pleasant balcony overlooking the sea with lovely sea breezes, and it was pleasant going to sleep with the sounds of the waves instead of motorbikes.. There is a new luxury part called the Pool Villa Club, where each unit has it's own deck with sun lounges, and a direct entrance to the pool about 2 metres from the deck. Each unit also has its own spa.
Lombok is a lot cooler than Bali (or where we were anyway). Not much to do during the day - small Art Market next to Sheraton Sengiggi Hotel; a few street stalls; organised day tours to pottery, weaving, Sasak Village, Hindu Temples, Kuta Beach, etc - all to the south. There is a small golf course in the middle (Rinjani Country Club). Trekking to Mt Rinjani for the energetic. Snorkelling off the Gilis (islands). We opted for a day tour to the south, which Satriavi Travel tailored to our request - went to the local food market instead of a temple, etc. Nothing at Kuta Beach - one big hotel, one medium hotel, and a few homestays, a few surfers on motorbikes, and lots of goats lying around in the middle of the road. We also took a cab in to Mataram Mall (45,000rp one way) - a four storey shopping centre. Please remember that it is a Muslim country and to dress appropriately and modestly - knees, shoulders and bellies covered.
Sengiggi is a bit more lively at night - some good restaurants - one (Taman), owned by an Aussie expat. Local bands at a couple of places. Bread is good.
Hardly any Aussies - however lots of German and Dutch people, a few Japanese, and a few English people.
Exchange rate a bit lower - 6200. There is an ATM in the main street, next to a bit hotel (don't know it's name).
We found everyone friendly, even the street hawkers - watches, etc.
Many of the taxi drivers don't speak English, or only a little bit, so a few words of Bahasa Indonesia wouldn't go astray. I think it would be very unusual to find anyone outside the hotels or restaurants around Sengiggi who spoke English, e.g. shopkeepers in Mataram Mall didn't speak English (even though there is a McDonalds!).
Lombok is still very rural and untouched, and I imagine it is what Bali was like 25-30 years ago. There isn't much traffic in Sengiggi, but Blue Bird taxis are plentiful. There are also the old Bemos used as local buses (barter your price - but will need Bahasa Indonesia), and horse drawn carts called Cidomo (chidomo) - also barter price before you get in.
The three days were enough. If we went again would probably stay at the Sheraton Sengiggi Hotel, in a pool side room - but probably about 5 star quality and price.