Sandara Park: No. 3 – Cap Karoso – Sumba Island, Indonesia

Hidden in paradise: turquoise lagoons, artistic souls, and island-inspired flavors. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Exterior view of a luxury resort featuring a combination of traditional thatched-roof bungalows and modern concrete structures. The foreground shows a serene pool with reflections, while lush tropical greenery frames the buildings, creating a harmonious blend of nature and modern design.

Welcome to Cap Karoso.

Nestled in the untamed paradise of Sumba Island, an unspoiled alternative to Bali, Cap Karoso is framed by coral reefs, turquoise lagoons, tropical forests, and rice paddies.

Parisian couple Evguenia and Fabrice Ivara brought Cap Karoso to life, inspired by a journey to this corner of Indonesia in 2017. After five years of development, the hotel opened in 2023 and now stands as a testament to their vision—a place where creators and explorers converge. Upon arrival, you are enveloped in warmth and hospitality. The staff’s genuine kindness sets the tone for an enriching and sumptuous experience.

Sumba is a unique island with a culture that dates back to the Bronze Age. As you explore, you’ll discover indigenous art, megalithic tombs, and traditional houses with towering 25-meter-high roofs, all rooted in a tradition that honors nature and ancestral authority. These experiences, organized by the hotel, create an immersive stay you won't soon forget.

Pristine natural cove with clear, turquoise water surrounded by lush greenery and rocky steps leading down to the water, offering a secluded and tranquil retreat.

This edition was photographed by Nicolas Quiniou

At a Glance

Location: Kodi, Sumba Island, Indonesia
Rooms: 44 rooms and 20 villas with ocean views and private terraces
Dining: Three restaurants, including the rotating-chef Julang
Wellness: Malala Spa, yoga pavilion, ocean-view gym
Unique Features: Artist residency program and a biological farm

Website | Book Your Stay | Instagram

Woman seated on an outdoor patio, sipping a drink and surrounded by lush greenery, with warm sunlight filtering through the wooden roof, conveying a peaceful, tropical retreat. Infinity pool overlooking the ocean, with palm trees swaying gently in the background and waves rolling in on the horizon, creating a calming, coastal vibe.

Room is nature chic

The accommodations are your personal sanctuary. The main building hosts most of the rooms, each a breezy studio with terrazzo floors, ocean-facing balconies, and intricately carved wooden headboards inspired by traditional Indonesian weaving patterns. Every detail has been carefully considered, ensuring your stay is indulgent and responsible, from the spacious interiors to the eco-friendly amenities.

The suites feature expansive living areas where you can open the doors to let in the gentle sea breeze, and private terraces overlooking tropical gardens. The semi-open bathrooms, with pebble floors and rain showers, add a touch of nature to your bathing rituals, creating a serene environment.

The villas at Cap Karoso represent bliss, each thoughtfully designed to blend with its environment. These private retreats come with infinity pools and kitchens, perfect for families or guests seeking privacy. They are also outfitted with roofs covered in living plants, enhancing the sense of being immersed in nature and reflecting the resort’s commitment to sustainability.

Laid-back dinner table setup featuring a variety of dishes, including grilled skewers, salad, and pizza, accompanied by glasses of sparkling drinks, highlighting a casual yet gourmet dining experience.

Rustic open-air dining area featuring wooden furniture, high ceilings with exposed beams, and lush greenery visible through the open windows, creating a serene, natural ambiance.

Barista perfecting an espresso martini by delicately placing coffee beans on the creamy foam using tweezers, capturing the precision and elegance of the moment.

Dining is island flavored

Dining at Cap Karoso is an experience that tantalizes the senses. You can request vegetarian, dairy-free, and halal options. Under Executive Chef Antoine LeVacon’s guidance, the Beach Club offers a relaxed yet refined setting where communal dining takes center stage. Here, you’ll share dishes like whole grilled fish and handmade pasta, made with the freshest ingredients from the resort’s organic farm.

Julang welcomes 20 guests each night, with a rotating roster of global chefs bringing their culinary creativity to the table for short residences. Using the finest local produce, they create innovative and delicious dishes. Finally, Apicine offers a perfect setting for sunset cocktails and Indo-Basque finger foods, with sweeping views of the horizon.

Art is inspired heritage

Cap Karoso combines age-old craft with contemporary art and design to showcase the island’s story. Their artist residency program invites international artists to collaborate with Sumbanese artisans, blending creativity with ancestral traditions. Past invitees include abstract painter Leona Rose and muralist Claire Prouvost.

Art is everywhere here, not just in galleries. Whether you’re in the lounge, dining at the beach club, or in your villa, you’ll be surrounded by pieces that tell the story of Sumba’s rich heritage and vibrant artistic expression.

Serene beach scene with a palm tree providing shade over lounge chairs facing a turquoise ocean under a clear blue sky, capturing an idyllic tropical escape.

Close-up of a spa treatment, where a person's hands are applying a creamy product to another's hair, with a wooden tray and natural materials emphasizing a relaxing, organic treatment.

Wellness is rooted in tradition

Cap Karoso’s wellness offerings are rooted in the island’s ancient traditions. At the Malala Spa, treatments draw inspiration from local healing rituals and use natural ingredients like indigenous white sandalwood oil, sea salt scrubs, and turmeric. The spa is housed in a traditional Sumbanese structure, providing you with a truly immersive cultural experience.

Beyond the spa, daily yoga and meditation classes are offered in serene locations like the beach and cliffside pavilions. To stay active, the resort’s gym, with its sweeping ocean views, offers the latest in Technogym equipment—a particular favorite of ours. The island invites hiking, canoeing, and cycling, all easily arranged at reception.

Horses on a sandy beach at sunset, with palm trees framing the serene scene and the ocean in the background, exuding a sense of calm and tranquility.

Sustainability is community

Cabbages, tomatoes, and mangos are a small taste of what’s growing within steps of your room. The resort's crowning sustainability feature is its biological farm, a three-hectare rehabilitated land that supplies nearly all the fruits and vegetables used in the kitchens. The farm is a hub for sustainable education, where you can learn about permaculture and organic farming practices, and create natural fertilizer with hotel staff and local farmers.

Secrets & Surprises

Learn to ride native sandalwood horses bareback from a local during your stay! These majestic creatures are treasured by the Sumbanese and known as the ‘vehicle of life.’

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