Where to stay in Sumba: Tourism, Infrastructure & Accommodation

Sumba Island is known for its stunning beaches, rugged terrain, and unique cultural traditions, making it a popular destination for travelers seeking adventure and cultural immersion. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the island’s tourism industry, infrastructure, and accommodation options, so you can plan your perfect Sumba getaway. Whether you’re looking for a luxury resort experience or a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, Sumba Island has something to offer everyone. So, let’s dive in and explore all that this magical island has to offer!

The Tourism in Sumba Island

Sumba is recognized as one of Indonesia’s “Forgotten Islands.” Surprisingly, this hidden treasure is only an hour’s flight away from Bali’s main tourist center, making it a well-kept secret among surfers and explorers. 

Sumba, on the other hand, might not stay off the beaten road for much longer. Tourism is beginning to flourish thanks to the presence of a small group of forward-thinking hoteliers and social activists who care about the island. The positive aspect of this development is that it provides more wealth to a population that is extremely impoverished and neglected. The worry is that the rich and authentic Sumbanese culture may be harmed by tourism demands. Thankfully, visiting this up-and-comer with mindfulness and respect for the local way of life is doable.

Sumba Island has recently been a popular tourism destination for locals. Sumba has been a popular destination for Indonesians looking to get away from the crowds that go to the more famous islands. International tourists are following suit and finding Sumba’s stunning natural landscapes, which have remained untouched by development.

The secluded and wild island of Sumba has so much to offer, whether you’re searching for a weekend getaway while visiting Bali, or simply discovering something new for a few days.

Sumba Island Infrastructure

It was a step too far for even the most passionate traveler for many years, even though Sumba is located just an hour of flight from Bali. This seclusion, however, has resulted in an island full of magic; it’s as if you’ve stepped back in time. Tribal families continue to live and work in the same way they have for years, while the island remains unspoiled by tourism.

The Indonesian government chose to expand the tourism business in Sumba in order to broaden the country’s offers and relieve the strain on crowded Bali. New infrastructure and investment initiatives eventually began to take shape in Sumba, but always with the goal of preserving the island’s originality.

Sumba is prepared to be the world’s first ecological island, and plans for solar panel farms and wind turbine parks are already in the works. The economy of Sumba is progressively improving.

It adds to the island’s rustic appeal that there’s no completely developed infrastructure, road networks are primitive, and lodging and amenities are modest; ideal for explorers seeking untouched appeal.

Yet there is also a growing luxury sector in Sumba, with one of its resorts being named the best hotel in the world by Travel+Leisure magazine. The island currently attracts around 10,000 tourists each year. But here was where Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth celebrated their wedding, and celebrities such as the Beckhams and Jennifer Lawrence inadvertently raising awareness of its appeal, that is destined to increase as property development sets in and the number of quality accommodation and amenities rises.

Accommodation In Sumba Island

Sumba is a destination for the more adventurous visitor; unlike Bali, it lacks the bars, restaurants, stores, and café culture. Choosing where to stay is critical to be able to enjoy your vacation without too much time spent on driving. Depending on which area of Sumba, you can choose all-inclusive hotels or hopping between homestays.

Where to stay in East Sumba

Waingapu is the largest city on the island and the capital of East Sumba regency. It not only has vast savannahs like Puru Kambera and Wairinding hills, but it also has waterfalls and beaches.

1. Morinda Villa & Resto

There is a beautiful hotel with a spectacular hill view room in Waingapu, East Sumba called Morinda Villa and Resto that also has its own restaurant. This accommodation offers a playground to visitors as well as a complimentary shuttle service. All guest rooms at Morinda Villa and Resto are equipped with a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, a nice balcony with river views, as well as a private bathroom with a shower and complimentary amenities. Select rooms also include a sit

ting area. An Asian breakfast is available to guests at the hotel. Cycling is popular in the region, and Morinda Villa and Resto offers bike rentals.

• Location: Google Maps

2. Padadita Beach Hotel

Padadita Beach Hotel in Waingapu offers rooms with a beachfront position and sea views. This hotel’s rooms come with air conditioning and a flat-screen television. Some rooms provide a relaxing lounging space, while others include a minibar and a personal safe. Slippers and complimentary toiletries are provided for your convenience. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel.

• Location: Google Maps
• Website:  Padadita Beach Hotel

3. Villa Amidala

This luxury accommodation in Waingapu features a private swimming pool, jacuzzi, BBQ facilities, 3 meter white screen for projected home cinema, 65″ 4K smart TV with surround sound system, and free WiFi. Cleaning service, three-times-daily in-house cuisine, massage on demand, motorbike and vehicle rentals, and airport pickup and drop-off are all available.

• Location: Google Maps
• Website: Villa Amidala

4. Pondok Wisata Pantai Cemara

Pondok Wisata Pantai Cemara is located along the secluded Puru Kambera Beach and offers accommodations with ocean views. On-site laundry and dry-cleaning facilities are available, as well as car and motorcycle rentals. The restaurant and room services serve a wide range of regional cuisine.

• Location: Google Maps
• Facebook: Pondok Wisata Pantai Cemara

5. Kambaniru Beach Resort

A 4-star beach resort with 24-hour front desk and room service, as well as a restaurant offering buffet breakfast. Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TV and kettle.

• Location: Google Maps
• Website: Kambaniru Beach Resort

6. Tanoma Beach Resort

The Tanoma Beach Resort is a beachfront resort in Wera Beach, East Sumba.

This is a brand-new resort with a distinctive architecture design that resembles a turtle that opened in October 2021. They have a nice restaurant and a nice pool. They also want to introduce various aquatic activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and so on.

• Location: Google Maps
• Website: Tanoma Beach Resort

Where to stay in West Sumba

Traditional and contemporary elements merged into one. Many settlements have managed to maintain their own character. Waikabubak is the capital city in West Sumba. This part of Sumba is distinct from the rest of the island, where the Pasola festival is held every year. If it is held in February, it is held in Lamboya, and if it is held in March, it is held in Wanokaka. The famed La Popu waterfall, as well as a large number of gorgeous sandy beaches, can be found here.

1. Nihi Resort

On the secluded island of Sumba, there is an award-winning luxury resort. Travel+Leisure magazine named Nihi Resort the best hotel in the world for two years in a row. All tastes are catered to with a diverse choice of land and ocean-based adventures. The elegant and private ambience is enhanced by attentive service and exquisite food. A romantic hideaway idyll with a beautiful beach reaching over 2.5 kilometers is excellent for honeymooners, and the island’s distinctive tribal culture provides travelers with a glimpse of a bygone period.

• Location: Google Maps
• Website: Nihi Resort

2. Lelewatu Resort

Sumba’s Lelewatu Resort is a luxury resort built on a ten-hectare clifftop surrounded by untouched lush jungle with a spectacular view of the Indian Ocean. Every villa is constructed with a Sumbanese tradition in mind, and Lelewatu is a monument to local heritage, with every detail handmade with care from the heart and built to last. With a combination of unspoiled environment, excellent service, and personalized island life, Lelewatu Resort Sumba is the ideal spot to enjoy personal pleasures and romance.

• Location: Google Maps
• Website: Lelewatu Resort

3. Rua Beach Resort

Rua Beach Resort Sumba is a classic, exquisite, one-of-a-kind 3-star hotel overlooking the sea, ideal for a romantic, lovely holiday in the gorgeous surroundings of Rua Beach. A restaurant, free private parking, a garden, and a patio are all available at the resort. This facility has family rooms as well as an outdoor pool for visitors to enjoy.

• Location: Google Maps
• Website: Rua Beach Resort

4. Morika Inn & Cafe

In the city of West Sumba, there is a city hotel called Morika Inn that is located in the city Waikabubak. The hotel offers a terrace, a restaurant, and air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms. The rooms are spacious and well-appointed, with cold hot water, a flat-screen television, and air conditioning.

• Location: Google Maps
• Instagram: Morika Inn & Cafe

5. Umarato Resort

An eco resort located in Rua Wanokaka, West Sumba. Nestles on a lush green hillside overlooking pristine white sand and the turquoise waters of Rua Beach. 

• Location: Google Maps
• Instagram: Umarato Resort

6. Alamaya Resort

Alamayah is a 5-star boutique hideaway in Southwest Sumba, located in an isolated coastal community. Alamayah offers breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and natural forests along its shoreline. It is designed around and surrounded by coconut palms. Six private apartments, a spa, fitness center, steam room, entertainment areas, beautiful gardens, and a plant-based restaurant are among the amenities.

Their in-house herbalist, nutritionist, and holistic chef created Conscious Cuisine & Medicinal Mixology, a great dining experience that gently detoxifies, nourishes, and cures from the inside out.

• Location: Google Maps
• Website: Alamaya Resort

Where to stay in Southwest Sumba

This is a new regency that has been decentralized from West Sumba. Pero, Bwana, Mandorak, and Watu Maladong are just a few examples of pristine beaches found here. Aside from that, Ratenggaro is a typical Sumbanese village with thatched roofs that soar up to 30 meters in height.

1. Maringi Eco Resort (By Sumba Hospitality Foundation)

Maringi Sumba is a modest eco-resort in the heart of the Sumba Hospitality Foundation’s campus. The majority of their employees are students. They work hard to ensure a bright future for themselves as well as a memorable vacation. They are unlike any other hotel you have ever been in because of this one-of-a-kind experience.

• Location: Google Maps
• Website: Maringi Eco Resort

2. Mario Hotel & Café

Mario Hotel Sumba was built on a beach, 15 minutes away from the Tambolaka Airport. It is a great place for those who seek for peace and quietness. From the 60 rooms plan to be built, now only 2 Bungalows, 12 Beach View Rooms and 4 Jineng House are ready and each room is a full ocean view room, when it is clear far in the distance you will see the Sumbawa, the Komodo and the Flores islands. Enjoy the luxury pool with infinite view to the ocean.

• Location: Google Maps
• Website: Mario Hotel

3. Ella Hotel

Ella hotel is only 2 kilometers from Tambolaka airport, close to one of the famous restaurants in Tambolaka and close to several tourist attractions. Ella is one of the affordable hotels that offers a basic but comfortable accommodation. The hotel has a restaurant and a garden in the middle of the building where you can relax.

• Location: Google Maps
• Instagram: Ella Hotel

4. Sinar Tambolaka

Hotel Sinar Tambolaka, a family-friendly hotel that offers rooms with a flat screen TV, air conditioning, and a desk. In addition, the hotel has a pool and an on-site restaurant.

• Location: Google Maps
• Website: Sinar Tambolaka