Maringi Sumba by the Sumba Hospitality Foundation

We had a great time at Maringi Sumba where we spent 3 nights: - Accommodation: we stayed in a beautiful bamboo pavilion that had everything you need; the cleaning team came twice a day and made sure the room is tidy and spotless; we appreciated the complimentary laundry service since we had a 3 week vacation in Indonesia - Staff: welcoming, friendly, polite, paying attention to small details, remembering our names, explaining the facilities, activities, etc, they were the highlight of our stay, especially Alice who was our guide - Communication: smooth, fast and professional via WhatsApp, helped with booking trips for us and with any inquiry we had - Food: high quality products, home made, tasty, a great variety of choices, we enjoyed every meal - Trips: we did 2 tours through Maringi (Lamboya and Marapu) both were good to learn more about the island and the culture; we had a student with us(without a tour guide) during both trips and we felt that the information provided was very minimal, we were expecting more details about the culture/island/traditions etc, not sure if it’s the students’ job to know this, maybe consider having a professional guide instead or train the students for this purpose which will add great value. The restaurant included in the Marapu tour was disappointing, no appetizer, no dessert, no drinks, and portion was too small for two people. We missed the hotel’s food which was far better. The prices on the brochure were not accurate, please make sure you list the correct price/ person and not per group. - Location: quiet location, not far from the airport, we enjoyed the pool, the yoga class and the rest of the facilities (pool), the only downside is the lack of beach access but we didn’t mind since we booked tours to explore the island - Overall: great quality for the price, attentive staff, hopefully we will return back soon to Sumba to explore even more, thank you for making our stay memorable!

The staff is extremely nice and arranging. The hotel architecture is magnificent along with the nature surrounding it. We liked being within the hospitality foundation.

You need to adapt slightly to the student hours meaning more restricted timings than usual.

The staff were so kind and helpful. We enjoyed a few relaxing days, the food was excellent. A very unique place to stay.

Maringi Sumba is more than just a beautiful eco-resort — it’s a place where your holiday directly supports local youth through the Sumba Hospitality Foundation. The staff, many of whom are students, were warm, professional, and truly inspiring. Our room was thoughtfully designed using sustainable materials, offering the perfect balance of comfort and simplicity. The gardens were serene, the food was fresh and locally sourced, and we loved their signature non-alcoholic Sumba Beer! What made the stay truly special was learning how the foundation empowers the local community. It added such depth and meaning to our visit. Highly recommended for anyone who values authentic travel experiences and wants to make a positive impact while enjoying a peaceful island retreat.

food was fine dining - did not expect that. The staff are incredibly proactive, positive, and a happy bunch to be around - a lovely atmosphere!

Wld be good to be able to buy dried fruit or nuts etc from the honor bar. When kitchen is closed it is slim pickings to be able to eat anything....there is nothing outside the hotel to buy (zero stores).

Beautifully peaceful! The staff were so friendly and helpful. The food was delicious and service was exceptional. After 3 days we felt very at home :) we visited the nearby beaches - stunning white sand. We did a tour of the village which was very informative and we loved seeing the local life. Eka was our guide, along with Dini, and both were amazing to spend the day with, we loved their sharing of Sumba knowledge and history. We even forgot something when we left and they drove it to us. This was not only lovely accommodation but a super enriching experience that we will never forget. Thank you!

The only thing that could be improved is the air con!

Great harmony of nature, culture, local people with tourism. Great authentic food.