Cap Karoso

Cascading down the hillside towards Karoso Beach, Cap Karoso is chic personified, curated perfectly by the minds of its owners and a parade of artists and artisans. There's a selection of bars and restaurants to choose from: the Beach Club serves a varied breakfast menu and lazy lunches; nearby Julang has a roster of global chefs who stop in for weeks-long residencies; and Apicine serves gorgeous cocktails, like the iconic sandalwood-infused Negroni. Set up as a small Sumbanese village, the Malala Spa offers glorious treatments using organic ingredients.

Styled to the nines, the studios and villas at Cap Karoso are dominated by hand-carved panels inspired by the Sumbanese Ikat technique, as well as artwork and antiques from the island. They range from studios in the main building to three-bedroom villas with their own infinity pool and open-air kitchen. Each is fitted with a super-King sized bed and bathroom with a walk-in shower and toiletries by French master perfumer, Gerard Gatti. Some enjoy a private garden just steps away from the beach, but all have stunning views of the Indian Ocean.

You'll have the chance to experience the long-preserved culture of this part of Sumba Island and the resort works closely with a number of nearby villages for authentic guided tours. The tranquil Karoso Lagoon is a wonderful spot to swim, snorkel or learn to surf, or wander for ages without another soul in sight, and the resort is also surrounded by unspoiled nature for hiking and biking. Cap Karoso offers yoga and meditation classes, which you can enjoy beachside, on the cliff's edge or at the dedicated pavilion.