Hotel of the Day: The Sanubari, Indonesia

One of the most pristine spots in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is a traveller’s paradise. Luscious jungle, rocky cliffs, turquoise waters and white-sand beaches are just a few characteristics of this incredible nation – and there’s nowhere better to experience it all from than The Sanubari, a five-star hotel on the beautiful island of Sumba.

Escape to Indonesian Dreamland: Sunshine and Serenity at The Sanubari

Nestled in a gorgeous reserve on the island of Sumba, which is essentially an unspoiled version of Bali, The Sanubari offers peace, quiet, and a luxury escape like you’ve never experienced before. We’re talking about individual villas that are open and airy, letting in the natural air and helping you connect to nature on a deeper level, and over two kilometres of pristine beach, all to yourself. And with a top-class restaurant serving up fresh local cuisine, what more could you ask for?

Location

In its private 100-hectare reserve on the eastern Indonesian island of Sumba, The Sanubari takes its inspiration from the very lands it sits on – the ancient lands of the Marapu people. Take advantage of the resort’s two-kilometre stretch of white sand beaches and unpolluted waters, where you can enjoy snorkelling, swimming, surfing, and much more. Or perhaps you’d prefer to spend time inland, visiting the megalithic sites of the Marapu people or partaking in traditional horseback riding.

Whatever you want to spend your time doing – whether that’s a romantic trip to the beach with your other half, or instead sampling hand-made cocktails at your private villa with the sun on your back, the choice is yours in this incredible resort.

Room Types

There are several room types at The Sanubari which are suitable for a range of travellers:

Garden Pool Villa

Stunning garden views and your very own private pool, the garden pool villas are a very popular choice, and it’s easy to see why. Relax to nature’s soundtrack in your own space where you can really connect with nature.

Beachfront Studio Pool Villa

Set over white, unspoiled sands and looking out to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, if you’re a beach lover, these are the perfect villas for you. These villas are also equipped with your very own minibar, perfect for enjoying an ice-cold beer on the beach.

Beachfront One Bedroom Pool Villa

Slightly larger than the aforementioned villas, the one-bedroom villas also have swimming pool access and en-suite bathrooms with a bathtub. International sockets are also another advantage of these villas, meaning you don’t need to worry about bringing plug adapters.

Beachfront Two Bedroom Pool Villa

The largest rooms that The Sanubari offers are perfect for families or two couples travelling together. The lounge is a great feature of these rooms, offering the perfect place to cool down after a day in the sunshine and socialise with friends or family.

Facilities & Amenities

With only six villas to choose from, you might be surprised at the sheer number of facilities on offer at The Sanubari.

Starting off in the rooms, all of the individual rooms feature a yoga mat, a minibar and a desk. Even that combination is enough to sell most travellers – enjoying listening to your favourite music while doing your morning yoga routine and enjoying an icy cold coconut water or refreshing juice afterwards – heaven!

On top of that, the rooms also feature bathrobes, complimentary bottled water (so you do not need to worry about buying your own or risk drinking tap water), tea and coffee-making facilities and international plug sockets.

Furthermore, the bath products are all eco-friendly, while all the rooms are also equipped with a ceiling fan and air conditioning units. TVs are available on request.

Outside of the rooms, the hotel is based in a 100-hectare nature reserve, and guests can take advantage of the outdoor lifestyle encouraged by the hotel’s staff: horse riding, beach volleyball, using the outdoor gym, renting snorkelling equipment or push bikes are just a few of the activities offered directly from the reception desks.

Dining

Picture this: a beachside restaurant serving up a wide array of food that will tantalise every single one of your tastebuds, all while the calm waters of the Indian Ocean lap up against the pristine white sands as the sun goes down.

Sounds good, right? Then you’ll love the main restaurant at The Sanubari. Expect all types of food to be served up here, with inspiration taken from both east and west. Whether you want to indulge in an Indonesian-style pizza, topped with an array of local ingredients or enjoy a Malaysian-inspired Penang curry as the tide goes in and out, the choice is yours. How about a coconutty rendang as the sun dips below the horizon, or perhaps you fancy something lighter, like freshly made fish tacos?

And to wash it all down? Take a trip to the bar, where experienced mixologists will be slinging homemade cocktails under the stars, with fruits grown on the farm in the resort – including strawberries, bananas, coconut and more, for all your favourite tropical cocktails. Local beers are also available, and who doesn’t enjoy an ice-cold bottle of beer while their toes are in the warm sand or the cool sea?

Of course, there are lots of tasty soft drinks too, from hand-ground coffees (best served over ice with coconut milk in our opinion), to delicious fruit smoothies and hand-squeezed juices for those wanting something a little lighter.

Experiences & Activities

Despite the lack of a spa at the hotel, this is nothing to be worried about, as relaxation is the main priority here. You can spend all day chilling by your pool with a hand-made cocktail in hand if you wish – and there's nothing wrong with that at all – but if you’re looking to explore the island of Sumba, then there’s also lots to do.

As mentioned earlier, horse riding is available to book via the hotel, as are bicycle rentals, but if you want to explore the culture of Sumba in more detail, how about booking yourself onto a guided tour of the Wanukaka Valley, filled with gorgeous waterfalls, and just a 45-minute drive from the hotel. 

Alternatively, you could visit one of the megalithic villages nearby and see how the native islanders live their lives, and if you’re lucky enough, you might even see how they conduct their religious ceremonies. 

You can also rent a motorbike from the hotel and explore the 100-hectare reserve surrounding the hotel, whether you want to drive slowly up the meandering mountain roads or explore the rice paddy fields nearby, the choice is all yours.

Who It’s Best For

If you’re a couple of newlyweds, then The Sanubari is the ultimate honeymoon destination.

However, even if you’re not married, The Sanubari is still ideal for couples of all ages. The freedom and flexibility you can have at this resort, from relaxing in your own villa to taking an excursion around the reserve to learn more about Sumba’s history and culture, is perfect.

The hotel does not specify that it is adults-only. However, there are no dedicated children-friendly facilities such as a kids’ club at the hotel, so if you’re looking for a family holiday, then The Sanubari probably is not the best choice for you.

Sustainability

Sustainability is not just a buzzword at The Sanbuari. On the contrary, it is arguably the primary focus of the hotel, given that so much time and energy is put towards making this one-of-a-kind hotel as sustainable as possible, while still making it a world-class resort which will attract visitors from all over the world.

For starters, all of the food cooked onsite is provided by a farm within the reserve, from fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, herbs, spices and meat, massively reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint and bringing a whole new meaning to the term ‘using local produce’.

Any other food that is served at the hotel, such as other meats or fish and seafood, is only sourced from local farmers or fishermen from Sumba. This again means that all the food produced on the island is sourced from the island itself, which not only helps to provide an authentic Indonesian dining experience but is also a huge step forward for sustainability.

The staff at the hotel are all Sumba natives, and the 100-strong team are paid fairly for their services, while the finest details, such as down to the stone and teak wood that the villas are made from, have also been sourced from the island.

To make up for the resources that have been used, such as wood, thousands of native Sumba trees have been planted within the resort. In addition, bath products in the hotel rooms are made locally and as green as can be, while, with the local community in mind, the hotel owners have built a school and water stations for the nearby villages.

Unique Selling Point

Set inside a 100-hectare resort is one thing, but the fact that there are only six villas at the hotel means that you’ll have a private holiday experience like never before.

Aside from the beautiful location that the hotel is set in, the fact that it is set on one of Indonesia’s lesser-known islands is also a unique selling point in itself: you won’t get the overly-touristy, loud and party vibes of Bali, for example, while you’ll also feel a world away from the bustling streets and often polluted air of Jakarta.

For those searching for the ultimate peaceful getaway, you simply have to visit The Sanbuari.