Image Credit: NIHI Sumba

For many travellers, Bali has long been the most familiar gateway into the country. But it is far from the only way to experience Indonesia — and increasingly, not the one that defines it.

Today, a different curiosity is taking shape. A desire for places that feel more spacious, more grounded, and shaped less by pace and more by presence.

From remote cultural heartlands and cliffside sanctuaries to private islands and design-led coastal escapes, here are ten Indonesian resorts and experiences shaping the next chapter of travel. Each offers something distinct, yet all share a sense of intention.

This is not a ranking, but a curated radar of places worth knowing — whether Bali has been part of your journey before, or not.

1. Bawah Reserve, Anambas Archipelago

One of Indonesia’s most complete private-island experiences, pairing conservation with effortless barefoot luxury.

Accessible only by seaplane, Bawah Reserve remains one of Indonesia’s most exclusive private island escapes. Set across six jungle‑clad islands in the remote Anambas Archipelago, it delivers barefoot luxury at its purest — turquoise lagoons, coral reefs, powder‑soft beaches and complete seclusion.

With sustainability at its core and an exceptionally generous all‑inclusive offering, Bawah is ideal for travellers seeking serenity without compromise.

Best for: honeymooners, private island seekers, slow luxury

2. NIHI Sumba

A rare resort that delivers emotional impact. Wild, purposeful and deeply connected to place.

Set along Sumba’s dramatic western coastline, NIHI is far more than a place to stay. It’s an encounter with landscape, rhythm and tradition — one that leaves a lasting emotional imprint.

Here, days are shaped not by schedules, but by nature and ceremony.

At sunrise, wild Sumbanese horses canter freely along the shoreline, often charging straight into the ocean for a swim, a moment so raw and unexpected it feels almost unreal. At dusk, the island reveals another side of its soul, as buffalo are led home in quiet procession beneath glowing skies, a ritual unchanged for generations.

Private villas are scattered across jungle, savannah and clifftop terrain, each with its own pool and complete seclusion. The sense of space is immediate — physical, emotional and restorative.

NIHI’s connection to horses runs deep. Through its equine experiences, guests of all ages are invited into meaningful interactions that focus on trust, presence and emotional awareness. For children, the dedicated equine programme offers a gentle, confidence-building introduction to horsemanship fostering connection, empathy and self-belief in a setting that feels both safe and magical.

For families, the experience extends beyond the natural world. Children can also spend time at the on-site chocolate factory, creating their own sweet delights and enjoying moments of creativity that feel playful, hands-on and joyful.

From open-air spa journeys woven into the landscape to surfing, cultural encounters and quiet moments of reflection, every experience unfolds instinctively rather than feeling orchestrated.

At its heart, NIHI maintains a deep partnership with the local Sumbanese community, grounding each stay in purpose, respect and authenticity — never performance.

Luxury here is elemental. Wild. Emotional. Unforgettable.

Best for: bucket-list travellers, couples, families seeking depth, equine lovers, surfers and soulful adventurers.

3. Cap Karoso, Sumba

A new-generation resort redefining modern Indonesian luxury through design, culture and connection.

Set along Sumba’s quieter eastern coastline, Cap Karoso offers a softer, more grounded expression of island life.

Contemporary architecture is balanced by natural materials and local craftsmanship, while a three-hectare organic farm sits at the heart of the resort, shaping both its cuisine and connection to the land.

Experiences unfold naturally. Some draw you outward, exploring hidden waterfalls, empty beaches and nearby villages alongside local guides who move through the landscape with quiet familiarity. Others invite stillness, through ritual-inspired healing, yoga and meditation that gently return the body to the island’s rhythm.

Food is central to daily life. Menus are led by what is grown and harvested nearby, enjoyed through long beachside lunches or intimate evenings around the chef’s table.

Families are welcomed with ease. Lagoon swims, nature walks and the creativity of the Karoso Kids Club encourage younger travellers to connect with the island through play and discovery.

Cap Karoso feels thoughtful without being prescriptive. A place of warmth, balance and gentle

beauty, where days lengthen, and life slows in the most natural way.

Best for: design lovers, families, slow island living with depth and connection

4.Wakatobi Dive Resort, Southeast Sulawesi

A global leader in marine conservation offering one of the world’s most pristine underwater environments.

Located in one of the healthiest reef systems on the planet, Wakatobi is regarded as one of the world’s great dive destinations however its appeal goes far beyond underwater exploration.

Set on a remote private island, the resort offers a sense of calm and immersion that is increasingly rare. The surrounding marine reserve is protected through long-term conservation partnerships with local communities, creating extraordinary biodiversity both above and below the surface.

Days are shaped by nature. Diving and snorkelling reveal vibrant coral gardens just offshore, while time on land is unhurried, with open-air villas, gentle sea breezes and thoughtful service that allows the setting to take centre stage.

Best for: divers, eco-conscious travellers, nature lovers

5. TA’AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo

A destination in its own right, offering refined coastal luxury alongside access to Komodo National Park.

Set along the waterfront in Labuan Bajo, TA’AKTANA brings a new level of polish to Flores — one that feels considered, spacious and beautifully connected to the sea.

Ocean-facing villas, thoughtful architecture and a calm coastal setting create an atmosphere that invites lingering, not just passing through. While the resort provides seamless access to Komodo National Park and the surrounding islands, it’s equally rewarding to slow down and stay put.

Days may unfold on the water, exploring reefs and remote islands by boat, or closer to home with long lunches, quiet swims and afternoons at the spa as the light softens across the bay.

TA’AKTANA works best when Komodo becomes part of the journey, offering couples and curious travellers a balance of adventure and ease.

Best for: couples, adventure with comfort, Komodo journeys with time to unwind

6. Tampah Hills, Lombok

Villa living reimagined — architectural, spacious and refreshingly removed from the pace of Bali.

Set high above the dramatic coastline of southern Lombok, Tampah Hills is a collection of architect‑designed private villas rather than a traditional resort.

Each residence offers expansive indoor‑outdoor living, private pools and panoramic ocean views, creating the feel of a luxury estate immersed in nature. Facilities include wellness offerings, sport courts and curated experiences across Lombok’s southern coast.

Whilst privacy is central, there is also a gentle sense of community. Guests can dine at the estate’s beachfront venues choosing from relaxed lunches and sunset drinks at Biras Beach Bar to open-fire dining at Codium, both set directly on the sand. These shared spaces provide atmosphere without the feeling of a busy resort hub.

Best for: villa lovers, families, groups, surfers, travellers seeking Bali-style villa living with more space and fewer crowds

7. The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Lombok

A polished, contemporary alternative to Bali’s five-star resorts

Situated on a pristine stretch of Sira Beach, The Sira offers a refined yet relaxed resort experience framed by sea views on one side and Mount Rinjani rising in the distance.

Accommodation ranges from elegant rooms to spacious villas, many with private pools and direct beach access. Interiors are contemporary and understated, allowing the natural setting to remain the focus.

Days unfold effortlessly. Morning swims in the ocean, long lunches overlooking the water, spa treatments in the afternoon and sunset drinks as the sky softens across the bay. Dining is polished yet approachable, with an emphasis on fresh flavours and unhurried service.

The Sira is not about reinvention. Its appeal lies in how well it delivers the fundamentals of a great beach resort without the congestion that now defines much of Bali’s coastline.

Best for: couples, honeymooners, classic five-star resort lovers, families seeking relaxed beachfront luxury

8. Cempedak Private Island, Riau Islands

An adults-only private island where sustainability, design and stillness come together beautifully.

An adults-only private island where sustainability, design and stillness come together beautifully.

Reaching Cempedak requires a little intention — and that is very much part of its appeal.

From Singapore, the journey begins with a ferry across to Bintan, followed by a scenic drive through the island’s interior and a final speedboat transfer to the private island itself. With each step, the pace softens.

By the time you arrive, the world feels noticeably quieter.

Cempedak is intimate, intentionally off-grid and entirely built from bamboo. Villas curve organically into the landscape, open to sea air and birdsong, designed to blend in rather than stand out. There are no televisions and few distractions — just space, texture and the rhythm of island life.

Days unfold slowly. Morning swims, barefoot walks around the island, unhurried meals and long afternoons where time feels less important. Wellness is not programmed here, but felt.

What makes Cempedak so compelling is that it restores something most travellers don’t realise they have lost: stillness.

It’s this rare sense of calm that led Condé Nast Traveller to describe Cempedak as offering “unrivalled castaway allure”, and to include it on the Condé Nast Traveller’s Gold List 2026

Best for: couples, honeymooners, wellness-focused travellers seeking true disconnection close to Singapore

9. Nikoi Island, Riau Islands

Thoughtful, family-friendly barefoot luxury that proves simplicity can still feel special.

Nikoi is family‑friendly, relaxed and beautifully simple, a place where days slow naturally and connection comes easily. It’s open‑air villas, warm service and a strong conservation ethos define the experience.

The journey to Nikoi mirrors that of its sister island. A ferry from Singapore to Bintan, a drive across the island, then a short speedboat ride to the sandy shore.

Nikoi’s atmosphere is warm and relaxed from the moment you arrive. Villas sit directly on the beach, designed for open-air living and easy days shaped by tides and light.

Children roam freely, kayaks rest on the sand, and meals are shared communally with a sense of ease that encourages connection. The islands commitment to sustainability is woven quietly into daily life, and the atmosphere encourages connection — to nature, to family and to each other.

Nikoi offers something increasingly rare: an off-grid island experience that still feels accessible.

Best for: families seeking simplicity, nature and genuine time together, multigenerational travel, relaxed barefoot luxury lovers

10. Liveaboards & Yacht Charters, Raja Ampat and Beyond

A different way to experience Indonesia — by sea, from hidden coves to remote atolls.

For those whose sense of discovery extends beyond shore and sand, exploring Indonesia from the water offers something entirely distinct. Liveaboards and luxury yacht charters let you chart your own course through the archipelago’s most striking marine landscapes, from the ancient coral gardens of Raja Ampat to the volcanic islands and rich history of the Spice Islands, and the dramatic waters around Komodo National Park.

These journeys are shaped in collaboration with trusted local yacht charter specialists, allowing each itinerary to feel deeply considered — balancing comfort, privacy and meaningful exploration. From intimate vessels ideal for small groups to larger yachts with full crew, every experience is designed to unfold at the rhythm of the sea and the islands it connects.

Life aboard feels effortless yet exhilarating. By day you might snorkel pristine reefs or kayak along secluded beaches; by evening you dine alfresco on deck as the horizon glows with sunset.

More than a mode of travel, a yacht charter becomes a floating base from which to uncover Indonesia’s quieter, more elemental experiences — places and perspectives unreachable by land alone.

Best for: lovers of slow adventure, small groups, families seeking unique exploration, travellers enchanted by life at sea

Indonesia Beyond the Familiar

From private islands and wild coastlines to design‑led retreats and private charters, this list showcases travel opportunities that shift towards travel that is slower, more conscious and far more memorable.

Whether you are dreaming of seclusion, adventure, restoration or reconnection, the Indonesian archipelago offers a diversity of experiences that that stay with you, long after the journey ends.

If this list has sparked ideas, I would love to help you shape your journey, and design an itinerary that feels considered, personal and effortless from start to finish.

Email: megan@luxuryislandtravel.com.au