There is a limited number of accommodations in Sumba at the moment, and the price range among the different options has a pretty wide gap. When deciding on where to stay in Sumba, it is useful to take into account the areas that you would like to explore. The distance between one point of visit to another could easily take 30 minutes to more than an hour, thus one may choose to stay in a low to mid range accommodation on days they want to do more sightseeing, whereas keeping the upper tier hotels and resorts on days where you will stay in all day long.
Practical Mid-Range Hotel Recommendations
Southwest and West Sumba Regency
Sumba Island has two main airports, one in the southwest and the other in the east. Both airports only have inbound direct flights from Denpasar, Bali or Kupang. However, flights from Kupang are not as frequent and there are no direct international flights to Kupang. So if you are arriving on an international flight, you will need to go to Bali first, before heading to Sumba. There is not even a direct flight to Sumba from the capital, Jakarta. All flights to Sumba must enter from Denpasar, Bali.
In the southwestern regency, the airport is located in Tambolaka. The airport is called Bandar Udara Lede Kalumbang. It has two airlines that serve this route between Denpasar and Tambolaka. They are Nam Air, part of Sriwijaya Air and Wings Air, part of Lion Air. Both airlines fly daily between the two cities, but their daily frequencies change between once to twice flights a day. In general, if you plan to come to Sumba Island via Tambolaka, you will arrive on the island the earliest around ten to eleven in the morning and latest around three in the afternoon, local time.
Whichever arrival time you have, it is best to check-in to your hotel first, either to drop your luggage or to rest a bit if early check-in is allowed. For the first few nights, staying near the airport will be a perfect option. In that case, Sima Hotel Sumba should definitely be on your hotel list. The hotel is located close to the airport, only a 15-minute drive away from it. Sima Hotel Sumba is a sister hotel of its Lombok counterpart, and this hotel was opened quite recently in 2023.
This four star hotel has facilities with international standards and they are ready to serve MICE travellers with the most advanced services, making it the pioneer in the region. The hotel has its own gym, swimming pool, spa, meeting rooms, and rooftop restaurants. It really sets the bar high for any future property development in the area.
Another hotel option for you to stay in Sumba near Bandar Udara Lede Kalumbang for your first few nights settling into the vibes of Sumba, is Hotel Sinar Tambolaka. This hotel is located even closer to the airport, with only a 6-minute drive from your first entry point to the island. Hotel Sinar has a more traditional style compared to the one mentioned above. It may look slightly outdated but in general the facilities and amenities are quite complete. It has a swimming pool overlooking the hills and a spacious restaurant serving both Indonesian and Chinese cuisine.
Price wise, this hotel could be fifty percent cheaper than Sima Hotel on some days. So your choice of where to stay in Sumba really depends on your considerations regarding value and budget.
Both of these options are considered practical – close to the airport and having attractive price points. You can stay in Sumba at one of these hotels as your base to venture on day trips to the lagoons, traditional villages, waterfalls and beaches.
If you do not mind spending more money on accommodation for your sightseeing days, you can also choose to stay in Sumba at Maringi Sumba by the Sumba Hospitality Foundation. This hotel is located about a 24-minute drive away from Tambolaka Airport, going in the east direction. If you stay here, you are indirectly bringing a positive impact to the local communities, as Sumba Hospitality Foundation is the driving force behind a high-quality vocational hospitality education to the local Sumbanese youth.
You have the option to stay in their sustainable Bamboo Pavilion or the luxurious Pool Pavillion. Whichever option you take, you will have a 5-star service right at your doorstep, with a personalized concierge service, laundry service, permaculture garden, spa, yoga shala, swimming pool and bicycles. For the type of experience and quality you get, Maringi Sumba serves the right value for every penny you spend!
It is noteworthy to add another accommodation on this list of where to stay in Sumba, which is located one and a half hour drive toward the south from Tambolaka Airport, in the southwest regency. It is Villa Morika in Rua Beach.
This villa has stunning ocean views, with a perfect sunrise vantage point right in front of your room. This villa has four bedrooms, separated into two twin buildings. Each building will have two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, connected with a spacious living cum dining room in between the two rooms. If you come with a large group of up to 8 adults, you can then book the whole unit for a private group stay. Alternatively, you can also book on room basis, depending on availability.
The four rooms and two living rooms are arranged next to each other, with the pool as a uniting factor for you while viewing the panoramic ocean vista. If you fancy a little exercise, head to the edge of the hill and take the staircase down to a small beach right below the villa! In addition, they have a restaurant on site, so you will not have to worry about your daily meals. This villa is one of the best and most affordable places to stay in Sumba, perfect for creating unforgettable memories.
For the first two accommodations, Sima Sumba and Sinar Tambolaka, their location is more toward the west of the airport, and thus they are located on the way to reach attractions such as Weekuri Lagoon, Mandorak Beach and Ratenggaro Traditional Village. For Maringi Sumba, it is located on the northeast side of the airport, close to Kita Beach for sunset watching. Lastly, Villa Morika is great for you to stay in Sumba while visiting nearby beaches such as Marossi Beach and Watu Bella Beach.
East Sumba Regency
You can also choose to fly to the eastern regency, though in general flight ticket prices are higher than flying to the western regency. Some could also opt to travel to the eastern regency overland from the southwest region. They may then fly out from Waingapu Airport in East Sumba Regency.
As of today, stay in Sumba at Kambaniru Beach Hotel and Resort should be one of the top options for a mid-priced hotel, located close to Umbu Mehang Kunda Airport, 11-minute drive away. This hotel is one of the newest ones in the east, with modern architecture and design, portraying a high quality accommodation. You can then do a few trips during the day to visit Warinding Hill and some hidden waterfalls around the area.
Splurging some Dollars stay in Sumba
Southwest and West Sumba Regency
After spending two to three days exploring the various mesmerizing natural sites on the island, it is now time to completely relax and reset in your next choice of hotel, villa or resort. As you know you will spend more money staying in these places, make sure to experience everything in it!
One option you can choose when staying in Sumba, slightly closer to Tambolaka Airport than others, will be in Cap Karoso. It takes about one hour to drive to Cap Karoso from the airport. This resort hotel boasts its spacious area with 44 rooms and 20 villas, giving you ample opportunity to choose how you want to customize your stay.
Their room options include a Studio, Terrace Studio, Garden Suite, Beach Suite, Duplex Villa, Two-Bedroom Villa, Three-Bedroom Villa and Beachfront Villa. Whether you are a couple or a big family, each type of traveller will have their own needs met. The resort offers an endless choice of activities, from surfing, trekking, visiting the waterfall or exploring the traditional villages.
If you prefer to relax and unwind, you can choose to do yoga or meditation at your choice location, be it on the beach, by the cliffs, or in your serene yoga pavilion. On top of that, you should not miss trying their spa service at Mahala Spa where your balance will be restored and your overall well-being enhanced.
For families, you will surely love this as the resort has their own KarosoKids Club, where they tailor activities to the little residents. Last but not least, you will also be pampered with their world class cuisine at their beach club and restaurant. Imagine savoring mouthwatering delicacies while watching the sun go down. Otherworldly!
As you venture down south from the southwest region to the western regency, you will pass by Waikabubak, the main city center of the western regency. It takes about one hour to drive to Waikabubak from Tambolaka, and in the area, you can stop by ricefields or waterfalls. Or, you can head straight to the next accommodation options, Alamayah, The Sanubari, Lelewatu Sumba Resort and Umarato Villa.
The first three options are located along the same coastline, although travelling from one place to another will still require at least a 30 to 40 minutes drive as you will need to travel through the hills with a car or minivan. For Umarato Villa, its location is on a hill, north of Villa Morika.
Staying in Sumba at Alamayah will blow your mind away. It is a unique 6 bedroom villa that could be booked as a whole private villa, or if you are not in a big group, you can still enjoy this beautiful villa by booking in on a room basis. If you choose the latter, you will then have the chance to meet fellow travellers while enjoying their farm to table meals at the dining area.
Kerewei Beach is right opposite the villa where you can have a stand-up paddle session. Moreover, the team could also assist to prepare a private beach set up for you! Meaning: beanbags, towels, cold water, and a cute shade to minimize some UV rays but you can still bask in the sun, right after paddling.
They have free yoga sessions arranged at your own convenience, just let them know in advance. Their pool is heavenly with a pool bar section. They have their own gym, sauna and ice bath! You can also borrow a mountain bike for free to explore nearby spots, or just to burn that calories from their breakfast options. Their standard pricing includes the breakfast option, but you should definitely try their full-board package, where you can order food and drinks the whole day, anytime you want!
To the west of Alamayah is The Sanubari, home for the luxury nature lover. Their vast area of 100 hectares has all private pool villas as their accommodation types. You can choose between Garden Pool Villa, Beachfront Studio Pool Villa, Beachfront One Bedroom Pool Villa or a Beachfront Two Bedroom Pool Villa.
All villas sit on the white sand beach, stretching about two kilometers on the coast. The villas are all thoughtfully designed with seamless nature connection in mind, with the oversized windows inviting outside nature to join in the interior spaces.
They have a restaurant by the sea where you can peacefully enjoy your meals with ingredients served from the best seasonally grown fruits and vegetables from both their own farm and the local farmers. Moreover, you can rest assured that the seafood platter on your table came freshly from the ocean life in front of The Sanubari, caught with sustainable lines to ensure its cleanliness.
You can also opt to enjoy experiences such as visiting the megalithic village, waterfalls surfing, horse riding, mountain biking or even trying to do stand-up paddles.
The next accommodation option still around the area is Lelewatu Resort Sumba. This resort is unique as it blends tradition with tranquil luxury and elegance. The resort is located on a stunning hilltop on a scenic islet, offers a view of nature across the ten hectares of rainforests. Looking further, you will see a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean.
Truly surreal and it goes beyond luxury. It is the true Sumba heritage. All their villas are private with a private pool, while they still have a shared infinity pool in the common area. The villa types include One Bedroom Pool Villa Ocean View, Hanging One bedroom Pool Villa Ocean View, Royal Honeymoon Villa Ocean View, Two Bedroom Pool Villa and Hanging Two Bedroom Pool Villa Ocean View.
This resort offers activities including the unique chance to wear traditional Sumbanese costumes, Ikat Weaving, which is a hands-on encounter alongside skilled artisans to appreciate the authentic craftsmanship that is rooted deeply in the culture, and also a day of fishing with the gentle waves and golden sunset backdrop to accompany your Sumba adventure.
Travelling a little northeast from Lelewatu, we will meet with Umarato Villa. This villa has 4 bedrooms in total, having the options for the guests to book the villa privately or on a room basis. They have Padedewatu Room with a jungle view, Waikahobi Room, Rua Room and Wanokaka Room all with ocean views.
Their infinity pool is right on top of the ocean, giving you the perfect vantage point to leisurely rest your eyes against the blue sea. You will have many options to enjoy your holidays actively while relaxing at Umarato Villa. They have various board games that you can play with your group, or you can choose to practice your archery skills.
For a more adventure option, you can try their Jungle ATV Ride at their very own backyard with. To elevate your rest and relaxation session, they offer massages with an ocean view, stargazing with their telescope or watching movies under the moonlight cinema!
East Sumba Regency
Going to the other side of the island, we recommend staying at Kandora Luxury Villas. You will meet with both luxury and nature when staying in this place. It is located right on the beach and it is just 45 minutes drive away from Waingapu Airport on the eastern regency. They offer both suite rooms and private pool villas with direct access to the beach.
You will have an unforgettable experience of a morning or afternoon dip in the ocean a few steps away from your accommodation. The total area spans more than 14,000 square meters, giving you no time to idly think of what to do! The rooms and villa types are Suite Kambera, One Bedroom Ocean Front Villa, One Bedroom Deluxe Ocean Front Villa and Villa Kandora.
Booking Villa Kandora will give you exclusive and private access to the estate, with 5 luxurious suites and villas, along with personalized services tailored to your needs.
All these options are definitely more expensive than the first group of accommodations. However, their location may not be as accessible to many places of visit, as compared to the previously mentioned options. Thus it may be great to plan your stay and visit accordingly to maximize your time and money spent when staying in Sumba.
Ultimate Luxury for the Ultra Affluent
One of the dreams for almost all travellers, that can only materialize once one has excessively abundant money in the bank, is staying in NIHI Sumba. It was voted as the number one hotel in the world, in all categories, for 2016 & 2017 World’s Best Awards by the global readers of Travel + Leisure. This award-winning hotel has 28 Villas & Estates along one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
They truly cater to all kinds of travellers, from the newlyweds looking for a luxurious honeymoon escape, to adventure lovers wanting to experience the one-of-a-kind treehouse stay, to expansive family estates, no two villas are the same. Each with their own heartbeat and unique personality.
Their whole estate is along two and a half kilometers of pristine – world’s best – Nihiwatu Beach. Whichever villa you will choose to stay in, you will be guaranteed sweeping ocean views, a private plunge pool and a chance to live at the edge of wilderness with the island’s raw and natural beauty.
You will be pleasantly surprised when getting to know your villa, as each villa has its own little secret to discover. Try to look for the hidden bathtub beneath the trees, a private balé for sunset meditation or a secluded plunge beneath the stars. Every visit to NIHI will only urge you to come back, to discover more secrets at the other villas, as truly, no two spaces are alike.
Their price point is on another level but it really reflects the old saying, what you pay is what you get. At the point of arrival you will be picked up at the airport (Tambolaka Airport) in a shared Safari Car, a uniquely chic option to commence your Sumba adventure. This roundtrip airport transfer is included in your stay. Their approach to the meals in the villa is all-inclusive, meaning you will be free to indulge in their flame-grilled, fire-toasted, slow-cooked, and wood-smoked cuisine.
Their methods are thoughtfully chosen to honor the island’s ancient tradition but with an elevated, global flair. You will get three daily meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks. All are included, all extraordinary. You can dine at your villa, in our open-air pavilions, or in hidden corners of the property curated just for you.
There will be no end when talking about NIHI Sumba but we hope you get the gist; your stay will be beyond extraordinary. With that hefty price tag, NIHI Sumba will not disappoint.
Time for Real Planning
Now you have a more comprehensive knowledge to start booking your accommodation. If you have limited travel time, and budget, you may consider following some suggestions above. On the other hand, if these two factors are none of your concern (i.e. you have excessive amounts of them), feel free to stay anywhere you want. Let your VillaBuddy know if you would like more detailed guidance or information for your upcoming trip to Sumba!