Peace & Retreat by the Indian Ocean

For a lot of folks who indulge in the beautiful experience of exploring exotic places and locales, travel typically means going to a destination because of the destination itself, and everything else follows that. But sometimes your craving to go to a destination can commence from your first discovery of a specific accommodation that entices you to plan a trip to make a stay at that place happen! This blog is a series of posts that showcase such properties, where I didn’t even know which city/region the property was located in or how easy it was to get there - but knew I wanted to spend a day and a night there! This post features the wonderful Lelewatu Resort in Sumba, Indonesia

The Destination

A breathtaking island on the fringe of the Indian Ocean, Sumba is an Enchanting Jewel of the Indonesian Archipelago that is still way off the tourist radar and relatively unknown compared to its more popular cousins.  In fact, until I booked the flight last week, I hadn't even heard of the main Airport in the Island - Tambaloka! Rugged Limestone Cliffs like in the Philippines, Gorgeous Coastlines like in Taiwan, Green Carpeted Landscapes like in Melanesia, Ancient Megalithic tombs like in Micronesia, Remote Pristine Beaches like in Polynesia, Lush Jungles like in Africa, and Hilltop Villages with nominally Protestant villagers who still respect the indigenous Marapu (spiritual forces).  This island is quite different from Indonesia’s northern volcanic islands, including being totally devoid of the selfie-pod toting tourist crowd! Beware Bali, Watch out Gili(s), Wake up Lombok - There's a new kid in the block that’s soon going to give you all a run for your money!! 

The Property

Set stunningly on a majestic cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, and scattered over 10 acres of tropical Indonesian scenery, the resort is an accommodation that has been carefully crafted with a harmonious blend of nature and luxury. Bordered by a lush jungle and surrounded by nine beaches, this slice of Asian Paradise is tucked away in unspoiled nature. The most impressive aspect of the resort is that, despite being scattered over 10 acres of hilltop land, it only has 29 villas. So you are treated to romantic seclusion and absolute tranquillity, no matter which villa you stay in. The only thing that might come between you and a peaceful post-meal nap is the thunderous crashing of the waves against the rocks below, which I consider to be more of Mother Nature’s lullaby!

The Room

The interiors of the Villas are indigenously designed to showcase Sumbanese heritage and craftsmanship. They have been built to look like a typical Sumbanese house - with authentic locally crafted wooden pieces and handwoven ikat fabrics. The Marble bathrooms and Marvellous Cosmetics enhance the local feel with a luxury touch. And the spectacularly situated outdoor shower is just the icing on the cake! The Villa we stayed in came loaded with breathtaking views of the mighty Indian Ocean.

And you don’t even have to step out of your cosy & cushy bed to savour the views. You can enjoy them right from your bed as you lounge and catch up on the latest readings from your favourite magazines and publishers!

Every Villa here comes with its own Private pool that is bigger than the main pool you get to see in most hotels in the western world! A classic demonstration of Affordable Asian Luxury.  

There were so many sweet spaces outside the room where we could lounge while enjoying the views and listening to the calming tunes played out by the Ocean. A huge balcony with cushioned chairs, A cute little gazebo next to the private pool, and the pool itself. The Villa even had its own private backyard!

Meal with a View

Bokosawu - the main restaurant is wonderfully located next to the infinity pool and comes with unobstructed views of the Ocean. The Chef-prepared food menu features freshly caught fish and specialties from the island and other parts of Indonesia, with some Western dishes for guests homesick for a taste from home.  Pair it with some of the fine wines they have on the menu to relish a meal with a million-dollar view! 

The Chefs on the property are well-trained, and the custom meals they made for us(since my wife is Vegetarian) were divinely delicious. They cooked up super local Sumbanese dishes that weren’t even on the menu, which made the meals we had here even more memorable. The highlights were the killer Sumba Sambal, Balado made with Potato and Fish fillet in Spicy Sambal.

Sundowners

The ‘Sand bar’ that is next to the restaurant comes with an Island vibe and a unique touch that is hard to find in a jungle resort located on a cliff top. The designers have managed to create a Polynesian barefoot beach bar feel while still not removing you from the hilltop jungle resort atmosphere. A lovely place to get a sundowner. But we didn’t even have to venture out this far, as the balcony in our villa itself allowed us to enjoy a private show of the sunset while sipping on a cold glass of Bintang beer!

Frills & Fancies

While we have stayed at properties that claim to have a Butler service attached to specific room types, Lelewatu takes this pampering service to the next level. Right from the minute we checked in until we checked out, we were carefully and warmly attended to by our private Butler! He ensured every one of our needs – from Cold buckets of ice for the wine to gym runs – were taken care of promptly.

While the property has a ‘gym’, it is a tiny enclosure with a few dumbbells and cardio machines. But who wants to work out when you are in a paradise like this?! Since all Villas come with a good-sized private pool, they have gone the extra mile to make the main infinity pool even more glamorous. It is hard to resist a lounging dip during a sunset radiating shocking colors.

Activities & Side Trips

In all probability, the tranquil atmosphere of the resort might tempt you to give in to the laidback tone and do virtually nothing. But for those who want to be more active, the hotel could arrange visits to the villages, hikes along the rugged terrain to picturesque lakes and waterfalls, and horseback riding. And for those who want to try out their surfing skills, attain one of the few slots to ride the famed waves on Nihiwatu Beach.

Quick Getaway for

Since it is just a quick 60-minute hop from Bali, it is a great getaway for weekend travellers from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok – and anyone with easy access to Bali