16 BEST LUXURY RESORTS IN INDONESIA

16 BEST LUXURY RESORTS IN INDONESIA (Updated 2018) - Forget Bali for a while (or if you are still looking for The Best Luxury Hotel & in Bali, you can click here), I am curating non-Bali luxury resorts in this beautiful archipelago of Indonesia. Most of them are beach resorts whether for underwater diving or surfing, eco-resort with natural materials, located in a remote location, you can rent the whole island, National Parks nearest resort, or even go bike to Unesco World Heritage. Indonesia has it all; beautiful islands, crystal clear water, breathtaking scenery, ultimate luxury, preserved nature, ancient culture and so much more...

For you to have the second or first honeymoon or take a break from a daily adventure of corporate life, want to spend that amount of money, or simply that you hate your job. I give you 16 of Indonesia’s best luxury resorts outside Bali to heal your pain, raise your positive vibe, give inspiration back to your life, leave all the negativity behind, and live to the fullest at this moment.

1. KANDUI VILLAS, MENTAWAI ISLAND

1.    The whole island of Mentawai is a practically surfing destination, with big beautiful Indian Ocean waves that would be your best waves in the entire world. But if you want to make this some escape option, all is up to you J

“We are excited to provide this new luxury resort option available for your next surfing vacation, as Kandui Villas® hopes to make your dream surfing getaway become a reality in the very near future. With so many phenomenal setups creating waves suited for surfers of all skill levels, and extravagant amenities lavishing guests in an environment of opulence, everyone is invited to come and savor the magnificent abundance available at Kandui Villas®!”

2. JEEVA BELOAM BEACH CAMP, LOMBOK

Remote location at its best, Jeeva Beloam could be your most luxurious beach glamping (glamorous camping) where you can sip a cocktail in the afternoon and order an acai bowl (or at least a tropical fruits platter with Greek yogurt) in the morning for breakfast.

“Find it all here at Jeeva Beloam Beach Camp. On a secluded cove with two pristine white sand beaches, Jeeva Beloam Beach Camp, “The Soul of Beloam,” is one of the few untouched places in the world where you can truly return to the rhythm of life. Jeeva Beloam’s ‘off the grid’ recycled wood and alang-alang beachfront berugas combine elements of Robinson Crusoe with East Indonesia aesthetics to create a boutique chic beach camp experience.”

3. KARMA REEF RESORT, GILI MENO LOMBOK

Although it was the only resort on the island, the new member of Karma Group located in one of the three Gilis offers you pristine beach in the most affordable package compared with Karma Kandara and Karma Jimbaran, so are you ready for a beach escape?

“A luxurious resort on the tiny, traffic-free island paradise of Gili Meno, Karma Reef offers sanctuary – the world away from the noise and demands of everyday life. Our guests enjoy exclusive access to – whisper it – a secret beach, where you can indulge in blissful spa treatments, feast on freshly caught seafood, or kick back with a cocktail at the DJ chillout sessions. And when the day's adventures are over, stroll barefoot to your beautiful beach-front bungalow or sumptuous safari tent for a night of fitful slumber”

4. MONTIGO RESORT NONGSA, BATAM

30-45 minutes ferry ride from Singapore, make this place one of an unforgettable 2-night stay on #DeluxshionistTravel. Enough said, read yourself my Montigo Resort Nongsa experience.

“Barely 30 minutes away from Singapore, is our sprawling resort’s architectural expanse of white breathtaking against the deep blue Nongsa waters. The accommodation’s spacious, and the surrounding landscape offers enough activity to thrill all generations.”

5. THE SANCHAYA ESTATE, BINTAN

1.    Very sleek and old European luxury to see every detail on Sanchaya Estate could bring you to the past, picturing South East Asia in the colonialism era (even it also reminds me of Sri Lanka). With palm trees and a very spacious pool, it’s on my must-relax list.

“You will leave The Sanchaya with an entirely new perspective on the region; intrigued by the incredible diversity of cultures and inspired by the way The Sanchaya has found a way to bring them together in harmony, creating such a magnificent whole.”

6. PULAU JOYO, BINTAN

Now I am showing you the beauty of Bintan. I believe Singaporeans knows well that they can easily have a weekend escape to Bintan and Batam in less than an hour and they have heaven. First on the list is Pulau Joyo, a magnificent private island with luxury accommodation, although the almost tropical resorts have a similar design of their eco-friendly furniture, here in Pulau Joyo (or now Joyo Resort), there is a slight Javanese Joglo style with its design of wooden furniture,

“Pulau Joyo is your classic Robinson Crusoe Island, surrounded by white sand beaches and a clear blue sea. Within easy reach of Singapore, it is equipped with every luxury, and superb food and wine. Our experienced team of hosts to make your stay absolutely unforgettable... Pulau Joyo is the ultimate in barefoot sophistication!”

7. PULAU BAWAH PRIVATE ISLAND, ANAMBAS

Imagine around 12.000 years ago when Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and the Islands of The Philippines were one huge pre-historic continent called Sundaland, rising sea levels at the end of the last ice age flooded the lower land, made the isolated higher lands all over the continent and nowhere is one of them, Bawah Island (or now Bawah Reserve) a mini-archipelago in West Indonesia in Kepualauan Riau Province of Anambas consisting 6 islands, 3 beautiful lagoons, and 13 pristine beaches are home to underwater creatures, birds, land animals, and warm people of Bawah welcome you to experience finest hideaway luxury when you can break a moment from your bustling life and back to nature in the most memorable & sustainable way. Bawah Island is indeed a slice of paradise in West Indonesia 

“The resort has been intelligently designed to make the most of natural beauty, without diminishing it. The Villas are situated on the largest island's South Coast, with spectacular lagoons and sea views. All the villas are offering breathtaking views of the island group and beyond. These stunning vistas give Bawah Islands a marketable advantage over comparable resorts in the region. The low density is another point of difference and maximizes the sense of privilege for the guests. Each Villa gives access to a private oasis of modernity among ageless natural beauty." 

8. NIKOI ISLAND, BINTAN

1.   White Beach features beach huge stones (even though it wasn’t as major as Seychelles) but this island exists to make you stress-free and barefoot with no hesitation. They also have a good mission to help society with their existence. Approved!

“Long regarded as one of the most stunning islands on this relatively unspoiled coast, Nikoi is fortunate to have remained in pristine condition. It is ringed with white sandy beaches and coral reefs of spectacular color and diversity and a coastline studded with magnificent white granite boulders that seemingly defy gravity. Rising to a height of 30m, the island also boasts a rain forest where colossal trees, including native Banyan trees, provide a sanctuary to a diverse population of local birds.”

9. AMANJIWO RESORT, MAGELANG

Aman Resort has put a high standard on their service, philosophy, and design and it will not make me surprised if most leisure seekers are #AmanJunkie at the same time. There was a night of Vesak at Borobudur, with the music of Buddham Saranam Gacchami audible to all corners of the temple, Amanjiwo is indeed a sanctuary for the soul, a place to feel nature, culture, history, and mystery. Read further on my Amanjiwo experience.

“Amanjiwo, enveloped by the rainforest of central Java, is set within a natural amphitheater – where the Menoreh Hills rise up nearby and the farmlands of the Kedu Plain spread below steep volcanoes on the horizon”

10. KURA-KURA RESORT, KARIMUN JAWA

Kura-Kura is a turtle in Bahasa Indonesia, and Karimun Jawa is one of the best affordable destinations to do an underwater activity such as snorkeling and diving. The spot is also well known for the preservation of baby sharks, turtles, & coral reefs.

“Situated between Java and Borneo, and still unknown to mass tourism, Karimunjawa Archipelago is a National Marine Park composed of 27 islands which still offers the feeling of natural and remote beauty. The exceptional location of Kura Kura Island places our guests in the midst of the Archipelago, giving them the opportunity to visit and enjoy the rare beauty of the surrounding islands with their pristine white, unspoiled beaches fringed with palm trees, and the amazing colors of the sea while staying in rare comfort”

11. NIHIWATU RESORT, SUMBA

Wellness destination, surf luxury resort, cultural bonding experience, and natural adventures like the lost world, Nihiwatu is definitely a pearl of Sumba Island. Now they know as Nihi Sumba

“Nihiwatu offers some of the most breathtaking, diverse hiking Indonesia has to offer. Along with white sandy beaches, mountains, rice paddies, and ancient villages, our fully guided walks are all within an hour from the resort and cater for families or the avid hiker.”

12. PLATARAN RESORT, LABUAN BAJO, KOMODO NATIONAL PARK

The residence of living dragons featured the best beaches and hills. Kidding, the Komodo Dragons’ habitat is on another island, Komodo Island. Labuan Bajo is the main island before you head to do island hopping including Komodo Island. Stay in royal Joglo style at Plataran Komodo is a luxurious option you have.

“Plataran Komodo Beach Resort sets the standard for beach living. Nestled on the secluded and private Wae Cicu Beach, you will feel miles from any modern distractions - while remaining a short ten minutes boat ride to the main town of Labuan Bajo.”

13. WAKATOBI DIVE RESORT, WAKATOBI NATIONAL PARK

1.      East part of Indonesia hides the real underwater paradise. If you googled “Wakatobi” you will agree with me. So this resort is actually well for an underwater experience while at the same time, you got all the luxuries you need, your pool is an actual ocean.

“Wakatobi is a luxury dive resort in South-Eastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. In a tranquil island setting far from crowds and cities, with no other divers for at least 100 miles, Wakatobi seamlessly blends five-star amenities and civilized comforts with a pristine natural environment; a pairing that has secured its reputation as one of the world’s finest resorts.”

14. ORA BEACH RESORT, SERAM ISLAND

When I see the picture I am imagining myself reading a book in a hammock and contemplating while seeing the Milky Way in the middle of the night (minus mosquitoes). The only accommodation on Ora Beach with the background is the hills of Manusela National Park. Unfortunately, they don’t have an official website, but it’s still pristine and beautiful.

15. MISOOL ECO RESORT, RAJA AMPAT - WEST PAPUA

Another dive eco-resort, but located in the Earth’s last paradise, Raja Ampat, Papua. It’s also a conservation center, that’s why a lot of scientists, environmental activists, and volunteers visit Raja Ampat very often. But to see yourself in this heaven on Earth, yes right?

“Misool Eco Resort is an exclusive dive resort and a conservation center located in a remote location of Southern Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Our private resort island is nestled deep in an archipelago of uninhabited islands, in the very epicenter of marine biodiversity.”

16. BALIEM VALLEY RESORT, PAPUA

1.      Located in the heart of Wamena, Papua, this is your chance to interact with the locals. It is such a great and one-in-a-lifetime experience you would probably do, see yourself in the beauty of its nature and the people.

“The Baliem Valley Resort is located at 1900 meters above sea level, in the Central Highlands of Papua, part of New Guinea Island in the most eastern part of the Indonesian Archipelago. This 3-star resort resides on 1,100 hectares near the tribal village of Desa Sekan, is enriched with magnificent views of the forest, and is surrounded by beautiful untouched nature. Enjoy trekking through the orchid garden, alpine rainforests and visit the remote Dani villages.”

SPECIAL MENTION: ALILA PURNAMA

There is a folklore song told us that our ancestor is a sailor. No wonder that the best Phinisi boat is handmade by the people of Celebes, their craftsmanship of traditional Phinisi ship making is unquestionable, and the song is true. Let's go on board, sail to the East water

“Alila Purnama, translated as The Full Moon, is one of the most luxurious liveaboard Phinisi ships in Asia, providing ultra-modern and relaxing accommodation for up to ten guests. Handcrafted in the traditional style of a Phinisi, as used by the Bugis seafarers from South Sulawesi in Indonesia, the 46-meter-long Alila Purnama consists of three decks.”