Cap Karoso

Sumba Island, Indonesia

Overview

Located in remote Sumba, Indonesia, Cap Karoso is a pioneering island getaway with meaningful community engagement and sustainability at its core. An eco-conscious haven, it occupies Karoso beach – one of the world’s most incredible stretches of sand – and promises adventure and cultural immersion in equal measure.  

Key Features

  • 47 rooms and 20 villas, showcasing local Sumbanese art and design
  • Surrounded by turquoise lagoons, this is the perfect location for exploring this fascinating island, complete with megalithic tombs and a totally unique religious history, dating back to the Bronze Age
  • Over three hectares of rehabilitated land have been dedicated to permaculture, with nearly all the fresh produce used in the restaurant being grown on-site
  • Facilities include a fine-dining open-table restaurant, a spa, a swimming pool, and a beach club

Location

Set on Sumba island, located off the axis of the Indonesian archipelago, Cap Karoso is surrounded by natural saltwater lakes and teal lagoons, with traditional villages and fishing harbors close by. The island’s wild beauty and local Marapu culture captivated the founders, embodying everything that the adventurous traveler could dream of (think ancestral rituals, breathtaking landscapes, and wildlife roaming freely), and they wanted to share this with their guests.

There are a total of 47 rooms and 20 villas, each one celebrating Sumbanese culture and tropical leisure. Indoor-outdoor living is naturally a theme here, and the interiors are dominated by hand-carved wood panels, bespoke ceramics, and local artifacts. From studios to duplex villas, there is something to suit every traveler here. But, for families or groups, opt for the 3-bed villa which boasts private beach access, a large private garden, beach cabana, and swimming pool.

Activities

Reinventing the beachfront resort experience, Cap Karoso offers the best of both worlds: serenity mixed with adventure. During the day, Cap Karoso offers a true immersion into island life: visit local villages and discover the incredible landscape. Come evening, the atmosphere becomes lively and sophisticated with leading mixologists and DJs providing excellent entertainment.

The main restaurant, Julang, is a unique mix between a fine dining eatery and a community table. Here, acclaimed chefs from all over the world are invited to bring their individual style and creativity, tasked with interpreting Sumbanese produce. At Explorer’s, the atmosphere is more casual with family-inspired cuisine designed for sharing, centered on local produce.

At the spa, indulge your senses with one of the relaxing and invigorating treatments inspired by local beauty rituals and the best of Indonesian massage. Located at the heart of the hotel, housed in a building with a peaked roof akin to the village’s uma mbatangu dwellings, treatments are rooted in shamanic healing rituals, with visiting practitioners offering meditation, nutrition, and life-coaching sessions.

There are two pools, one with Flores Sea views and a serene feel and another at the beach club which is more suited to families. For something more private, all villas come with a private infinity pool whilst the lagoon’s clear waters are equally as enticing.

Other facilities include artist ateliers, a creative Kid’s Club, an open-air cinema, and a gym. Through working with local communities, guests are offered the opportunity to experience life on the island, including traditional fishing, ikat weaving, and Sumbanese sandalwood horse riding.

Sustainability

The sprawling biological farm provides the majority of the ingredients required for the restaurants, reducing the resort’s carbon footprint by minimizing imported produce. It also teaches local farmers methods of sustainable cultivation. The hotel’s architectural design was conceived to reduce energy use and have minimal impact on the surrounding natural environment. 80% of the personnel hired will be from Sumba, bringing jobs and education to one of Indonesia’s poorest populations.

Why we love it

Sumba remains a hidden gem, where ancient tribes still live in wooden thatched dwellings and wild horses gallop down pristine sandy beaches. This location is an adventurer’s dream, with incredible hiking trails and secret spots waiting to be discovered all around the island. On a village visit, immerse yourself in traditional dancing or fishing, experiencing a way of life that has been largely untouched by the modern world. At Cap Karoso, revel in an appreciation for the unique culture of the area, thanks to the arts residency program that supports local talent and design, reflected in the beautiful space that surrounds you.

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