Destination: Nusa Tenggara / Komodo Island | The Best Resorts

Also known as the Lesser Sunda Islands — literally the “Southeast Islands” — they are divided into East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara and contain scores of ethnic groups, languages and religions, as well as Komodo lizards and more spectacular diving. West NT contains Lombok and Sumbawa and many small islands. Lombok is the less-visited but equally interesting sister of Bali and offers several diving sites as well as historical and religious locations. East NT contains Flores, Sumba and West Timor as well as several other islands, including Komodo Island, home of the Komodo dragon, and offers the unique attraction of containing tiny kingdoms on Sumba. Traditional art in East NT, especially woven cloth, is interesting and reasonably priced, and you can find beaches that are literally covered with sand of unique colours, coral, and shells.

AMANWANA
Moyo Island

Size: 12 rooms
Style: Tented Camp
Year Opened: 1993
Designer/Architect: Jean-Michel Gathy

Amanwana occupies an enviable location off the coast of Sumbawa, east of Bali, and is known for its premier diving opportunities. Here, avid divers and snorkelers have access to the Sea Wall and Turtle Street, home to hawksbill and green turtles, moray eels, lobsters, and blacktip and whitetip reef sharks. (If you prefer to view your marine life from above, cruising and fishing excursions are readily available.) Luxurious tents await, each with a coral-stone deck, air conditioning, a sitting area, a king-size bed, and hardwood floors. Choose an ocean-view tent or one closer to the lush jungle.

In this natural paradise, Mother Nature reigns supreme across more than 32,000 hectares of protected jungle. Here, overlooking the turquoise, coral-rich Flores Sea, the wilderness hideaway offers full-board accommodation in 12 luxury guest tents, set in consummate seclusion between jungle and shore. Providing unparalleled access to some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in Indonesia, Amanwana’s Dive Centre allows guests to explore the rich marine diversity of the Flores Sea. For those who prefer to stay on land, the island offers jungle treks, waterfall excursions and mountain biking, as well as an open-air seaside spa sanctuary with Aman Signature Rituals and locally inspired treatments.

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NIHI SUMBA
Sumba Island

Size: 22 rooms
Style: Casual Indigenous
Year Opened: 2019

Named the No. 1 Hotel in the World by Travel + Leisure magazine for two consecutive years, NIHI Sumba is for travelers who seek a new type of luxury: activity-driven experiences, cultural immersion, freedom, and fun. Private access to one of the world’s best surfing beaches for left-hand breaks is offered. The 27 villas, crafted by local artisans using native teak and rattan, feature expansive outdoor rooms and private plunge pools. Excursions take you to villages and ancient sites. Ask about the world-class Spa Safari Nihioka experience and the most instagramable moment: Swimming with horses at Nihiwatu beach.

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CAP KAROSO
Pantai Karoso, Sumba Island

Size: 47 Rooms and 20 Villas
Style: Casual Indigenous
Year Opened: Winter 2023

This eco-focused retreat in surfing honeypot Sumba is the first property from new hoteliers Fabrice and Eve Ivara, who bought this stretch of land after visiting the area in 2017. Before cracking on with the project, the team sought the permission of 600 locals to request ancestral approval, which was granted. Award-winning architect Gary Fell and Jakarta-based Bitte Design Studio have sourced local, sustainable materials to craft the suites and villas; all of which nod to the Ivara’s Parisian roots. A beach club, open-air cinema, spa and restaurant will be set across the land, with produce sourced from the on-site farm run by a local team, which also houses a school of agriculture for the community, a kids’ club and an activity centre for guests. This green-fingered ethos is central to the hotel–50 percent of its energy will come from its solar panel park and at least 80 percent of staff will be hired locally.

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REMOTE LANDS:
CRUISING THE KOMODOS WITH AMAN
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights

Nestled in between Indonesia’s East and West Nusa Tenggara, Komodo Island is a true adventurer’s dream. Not only is it home to those infamous dragons that roam the national park, but also pristine beaches, jungles and a myriad of surrounding islets waiting to be explored. You’ll spend six days cruising, diving and trekking around this incredible part of the world, as you make your way from the luxury resort at Amanwana to the final destination of Labuan Bajoharboron Flores Island (and then a flight back to Bali) six days later. Along the way, stop off at Batu Moncho Bay (looking out for mantas and dolphins), Gili Lawa Laut, Pink Beach, Komodo National Park, Rinca Island and Sebayor Island.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Aman: An ultra-luxe brand known for its boutique properties, quiet elegance, and superb service takes you on a world-class expedition on the sea.

Wild Dragons: Come face to face with the Komodo Dragon on its eponymous island, the only place in the world to find them in the wild.

Diving In Paradise: The clear waters around the Komodo Islands are a diver’s dream. Explore the vibrant coral reefs teeming with sealife from tropical fish to sea turtles, reef sharks, mantas and more.

This itinerary is an example. All trips are 100% bespoke.

My Virtuoso Sumba / Nusa Tenggara Information Page
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