The 6 best resorts in Indonesia for a dreamy getaway

It may be hidden away on one of Indonesia’s lesser-visited islands, but NIHI Sumba is one of the country’s most well-known resorts. And for good reason – the luxurious private pool villas are strewn along a hillside above a private beach. Each one features traditional Sumbanese designs, indoor and outdoor bathrooms, private gardens, and ocean views. When it comes to activities, you can be as active or as lazy as you wish. Surf Occy’s Left right outside the resort – this is one of the most renowned breaks in the world. Alternatively, swap surfboards for saddles with a gallop along the beach on one of the resident horses. For something a little less adrenaline-fuelled, fit in a yoga session, get pampered in the spa, or sharpen your skills with a cooking or chocolate-making class. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, choose from the three dining venues on offer.

If you’ve always dreamed of being Chuck Nolan in Cast Away (albeit with a little more luxury), this is your chance. Located on a tiny private island some 250km off the north coast of Singapore, Bawah Reserve is truly remote. Not only do you have a choice of rooms in the forest, on the beach and over the water, but there are multiple dining options that showcase produce grown on the island too. There is plenty to keep you busy, and the hardest decision you’ll have to make is whether you want to join an art, cooking or batik class, kick back with a movie night on the beach, challenge someone to a game of lawn tennis, or take a snorkelling boat trip to see turtles, rays and reef sharks.

Tucked away in a remote corner of the Raja Ampat archipelago – also known as ‘the last paradise on Earth’ – Misool Eco Resort is one of those bucket list destinations. Set on a small island fringed by white-sand beaches, you’ll feel as if you’re at the very end of the world. Spread across the North Lagoon and South Beach, there is a choice of beachfront cottages and over-water bungalows, all built with natural materials and featuring open-air bathrooms. Scuba diving is the number one activity in Raja Ampat, and The Hive is the resort’s dive centre overlooking the surrounding reef. On the first floor of The Hive is a chill-out area with a mini library, work desks, and cosy reading nooks. When you’re not in the water, treat yourself to a spa treatment or sample fresh dishes at The Restaurant. 

Set on the shores of the picturesque Waecicu Beach, Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa is one of those places where you can disconnect from the world. There are a variety of rooms, but no matter which one you choose, you’ll enjoy views of calming blues and soothing greens. In addition to a spa and a pool, there are also three dining options: Xanadu, an open-air restaurant where you can dine under the stars, Atlantis on the Rock, which is the ideal sunset spot, and Atlantis Beach Club with its live music and DJ performances. We won’t blame you if you never leave the resort during your stay, but since you’re right on the doorstep of the Komodo National Park, it would be a shame not to fit in at least one excursion. The resort can arrange for a day out to see the famous Komodo dragons, a snorkelling or scuba diving boat trip, or an island hopping adventure.

If wellness is the main aim of your getaway, Como Shambhala Estate is the place to be. Nestled in the jungle above the Ayung River, the resort’s minimal design allows it to blend into its surroundings, and you can’t help but feel at one with nature. Como Shambhala offers everything you could possibly want from a wellness retreat, including yoga pavilions, a Pilates studio, a gym, and a spa with treatment rooms and hydrotherapy pool. There are even individual programmes which incorporate Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, put together by therapists, nutritionists and acupuncturists. As you expect, the two restaurants focus on fresh and nutritious meals using locally sourced organic ingredients. After a day of self-care, the range of luxurious rooms, suites and private villas – each with calming views of the jungle – are the perfect place to slumber.

When your neighbour is a 9th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site, you know you’re somewhere very special. Just a stone’s throw from Borobudur Temple, Amanjiwo is enclosed by lush rice paddies and gently rolling hills, the stunning temple visible in the distance. The suites are fit for royalty, and each one comes with its own pavilion (complete with loungers and day beds) overlooking the surrounding countryside – many suites also feature private pools. Indonesian and Western cuisine is served at the restaurant, while the hotel bar offers daily performances of gamelan and classical Javanese dance. The indoor and outdoor yoga classes, infinity pool, tennis courts, and traditional treatments at the spa are enough to keep you holed up at the resort the entire time, but it’s worth taking a day trip to Borobudur and Yogyakarta.