Going to Indonesia? Let us help you plan your break. With five islands offering distinct holiday charm you might want to plan how you enjoy them, along with the amount of time you spend on each. The is Java for culture and Moyo for sea lovers, with a rich wildlife and unique flora and fauna is Sumba, plus the others you would definitely want to see.
JAVA: Best for culture
Start by spending a few days in Jakarta exploring the vibrant city, before heading further afield. The new Fairmont Jakarta, on Senayan Square, opens early next year and makes for a relaxing base. The city is renowned for its contemporary arts scene, so check out some of its groundbreaking galleries, such as Art: 1 New Museum and Artsphere Gallery.
For an insight into the rural culture of Indonesia, try a home stay. It offers the chance to live with locals and to learn artisan crafts and home-style cooking.
In terms of sightseeing, a must is a dawn viewing of the 8th-century Borobudur temple. Shrouded in the morning mists from the surrounding paddy fields, it’s as majestic as it gets. Base yourself at the colonial-style Plataran Borobudur Resort & Spa, which nestles in the hills of Tunjungan Village, overlooking the temple.
A visit to the Ujung Kulon National Park is a chance to see the remains of the volcanic island of Krakatoa and the Javanese rhino in its natural habitat. The luxury Amanjiwo hotel is carved out of a natural amphitheatre and surrounded by volcanoes.
BALI: Best for sensational hotels
Bali takes the starring role in Indonesia’s island line-up. Once solely known for its spiritual culture and arty vibe, it is now gaining a reputation for being home to some of the world’s most stellar hotels. The Mulia on the coastline of Nusa Dua is a spectacular all-suite resort.
Set to become the leader of the pack once it opens next year is contemporary French designer Phillippe Starck’s The Stairs based in Seminyak. The architectural wonder boosts 12 villas with signature floor-to-roof glass facades by artist JonOne.
The spacious retreat that is Alila Ubud is the best bolthole for those heading to South-east Asia’s largest literary event – the Ubud Readers and Writers Festival, which takes place each October.
Also on the horizon for next year is the super-luxe Chedi Club Jimbaran. Set in its own private estate in the southern region of Bali, it will have a spa and 34 pool villas each served by their own 24-hour butler. Make sure you’re not too seduced by all the luxury and explore the hidden coves, white sand beaches and craft-selling villages dotted around.
LOMBOK: Best for chilling out
Lying east of Bali, a short 20-minute flight away, is Lombok. It is dominated by the looming and thrillingly active volcanic Mount Rinjani. Often overlooked, Lombok is more laid-back and, in many parts, prettier than Bali, with fewer crowds, wide-open spaces and unspoilt scenery as far as the eye can see.
For a Robinson Crusoe moment, head south where the beaches are picture-postcard perfect. For a real ‘off-grid’ experience, travel through the island’s sprawling paddy fields and tobacco growing areas to the south-east tip of east Lombok’s Tanjung Ringgit peninsula. Here (some perseverance is necessary) you’ll come to the remote Jeeva Beloam beach camp on the jaw-droppingly beautiful, secluded cove.
Easier to find is the opulent Oberoi on the north-east coast with its own private beach. For something a little different, the nearby Sira Beach House is a six-bedroom villa-style property, ideal for large families or groups of friends.
MOYO ISLAND: Best for exploring the seas
A visit to Moyo – with its rugged coastline and swathes of grassy savannah – feels like stepping into the unknown. The tiny island only has around 2,000 inhabitants and is more of a nature reserve, with most of its interior protected as a national park. You’ll find no bars, buzzy restaurants or vibrant villages on Moyo, for this is the ultimate tropical hideaway.
There’s only one resort, Amanwana, which overlooks the turquoise waters of the Flores Sea and has turned camping into a luxury pursuit. Open-air pavilions house a dining room, bar, library, music room and spa, while the 20 tents – made out of a mix of wooden walls and canvas – feature Indonesian artwork, hardwood flooring and supersized bathrooms.
Spend your days on jungle treks and island adventures, or simply chilling out at the spa. The camp also has a luxury cruiser, Amanikan, on which you can sail to the surrounding Rinca and Komodo islands, where the legendary komodo dragons can be seen.
SUMBA: Best for wildlife
Further east still lies the small island of Sumba. With its unique flora and fauna – it has nearly 200 varieties of birds – it’s a wildlife wonderland. Fiving a sharpened edge to the surroundings wilderness is the luxury eco-lodge that is Nihiwatu. Co-owned by Chris Burch (of fashion label Tory Burch), this offers a savvy hotel experience in a dreamy, unspoilt setting but with a commitment to helping local communities. Surrounded by tropical rainforests, Nihiwatu offers a jungle spa, cliff-top bar and views across the archipelago. Experience on offer includes visits to Stone Age sires, the Lapopu waterfalls and nature trails.
Due to its location on the west coast of Sumba, the ocean in front of the resort boosts a premier wave that breaks from May to August directly in front of the resort, referred to as ‘God’s Left’. Moving stuff for surfers.