Aqua Blu

Tucked away within Indonesia’s Anambas Archipelago, Bawah Reserve encompasses six private islands, accessible via a 75-minute seaplane journey from Singapore. Surrounded by a 1,000-hectare marine conservation area, Bawah Reserve features only 36 suites, villas and lodges. With accommodations scattered across the island, some extending out to the sea, others nestled along the beachfront and a few tucked away in the forest, Bawah Reserve feels perennially quiet. Expect exceptional service and incredible underwater adventures at this private island resort.

Bordering the private Medana Beach in northwest Lombok, the Oberoi Lombok is a spacious, romantic and relaxing hotel with excellent service.

Fifty thatched villas and terraced pavilions are dotted around the 24 acres of landscaped gardens giving a sense of privacy and tranquillity. All villa and pavilions come with flat screen TVs and a BOSE sound-deck while an open air sunken marble bath is set in private stone walled garden. Villas, some with their own pool, offer walled terraces with sunloungers and a raised dining terrace with ocean or garden views.

Oberoi Lombok is centred on expansive infinity pools and terraces with sun loungers and shady cabanas to while away the day. Yoga classes are performed on the lawns at sunrise and add the list of wellbeing activities. The hotel also happens to have an onsite water sports centre for snorkelling and diving. Boat trips to the nearby Gilli’s can be easily arranged and are highly recommended.

The luxurious and decadent Amanjiwo hotel is quite simply mesmerising.

Furthermore across the Kedu Plain, Amanjiwo looks out to Borobudur, the 9th century Buddhist sanctuary and UNESCO World Heritage site: the sole reason many come to Java.

Taking this site as inspiration, the shape of Borobudur is very much reflected in the architecture and style of Amanjiwo with its 36 suites set in two graceful crescents around a central rotunda. The suites feature high ceilings with domed roofs, outdoor sunken stone baths within a high walled garden, marble floors and a raised four poster bed. Some of the spacious sun terraces come with their own private pool offering ultimate privacy. High limestone walls give shape to the walkways that link the suites to the main building, and that winds down to the forty-metre infinity pool.

In spite of your privileged views, a private tour to Borobudur cannot be missed. Watching the shadows of the Buddha’s shift and the sky burn as the sun rises over Mount Merapi is truly a magical experience. We can arrange entry to the temple before dawn, avoiding the crowds, allowing plenty of time to reach the summit in relative peace.

So much more than a hotel, Cap Karoso offers a celebration of Sumbanese culture, immersion in nature and a haven of calm and tranquillity.