The Sanubari

My husband and I had the most incredible honeymoon at The Sanubari, and it truly exceeded every expectation. From start to finish, our experience was flawless. This beautiful barefoot island resort perfectly blends relaxation, charm, and luxury. The staff were all exceptional, making us feel completely at home, but a special shout-out goes to Catarina, the hotel manager, who was extremely personable and attentive. Julian the bartender was also brilliant - his warm presence and great sense of humour really made our days! We booked a beachfront villa with a private pool, and while the stunning photos had set our expectations high, nothing can truly prepare you for the breathtaking reality. We also took a day trip to Lapopu waterfall, which was a stunning experience that added even more magic to our stay. We can’t wait to return to this very special place one day. Thank you, The Sanubari, for giving us a honeymoon we’ll never forget!

The Sanubari is a hidden paradise — stunning villas, a breathtaking beach, and truly kind, welcoming staff. The service and housekeeping are excellent, and communicating via WhatsApp makes everything super smooth. The design is minimal yet elegant, blending beautifully with the natural surroundings. The atmosphere is peaceful and perfect for anyone looking to truly disconnect and slow down. One small downside: the villas that aren’t beachfront have chlorinated pools instead of saltwater ones, which can be a bit harsh on the skin. Still, it’s a magical and authentic Sumba experience.

If I were to some up this review up in one word, it would be paradise. Unfortunately, for the reader, I can’t sum it up in one word. Instead, I’m going to tell you about my experience here. I consider myself a season traveler having been to 126 countries in my life and been traveling for a little over 50 years. I very rarely leave a review. Only if my expectations are much lower than I would expect or if my experience exceeds my expectations do I leave a review. In this case.The Sanubari far exceeds my expectations. From the moment I arrived at the airport, I was greeted with smiles from the employees of the Sanubari they ask for my check in baggage receipt and escorted me to an extremely beautiful air conditioned automobile, where I waited for my luggage to be brought to the Automobile. From there, I was transported to The Sanubari Resort. The driver was a professional I never felt uncomfortable from his driving. I always felt safe. When I arrived, I was greeted with smiles from everyone my villa on the beach was absolutely breathtaking. I walked in the decor was beautiful. Everything about the place said five stars. In my life, I have traveled to many very remote areas in the world. So I understand that it is very hard to expect Michelin star rated cuisine. And to my surprise, I have to say the food that I experienced there was delicious. Well cooked large portions and very tasty. My first meal was the fish tacos, and I would chalk them up to anything I experience in Mexico. They were delicious. The fish was cooked to perfection. It wasn’t deep fried. It was just plain enjoyable and so filling. Each and every meal that I had there was exceptional considering that it’s very hard to get many ingredients this far from a Metropolitan location. The staff each day greeted me by my name everybody there knew my name. It was amazing. They were professional, and made me feel like I was at home. Many times in my life friends and family would ask me where are the friendliest people on earth and I have always said Burma. Much to my surprise the staff at The Sanubari Resort were as friendly as in Burma. They reminded me a lot of the Burmese people. Friendly but in a rather cute shy way with genuine smiles each day. I have experienced many beautiful places in the world, but what makes a place stand out are the people. And at this resort the staff were very genuine. The location is absolutely breathtaking . As far as you can see from each direction are beautiful long white sandy beaches. The sand is something you might find in an hourglass, super fine and soft . In the morning, I would walk up and down the beach collecting beautiful shells some of them the size of your fist. It is really rather funny because the first big, beautiful shell, I picked I thought I’m so lucky. I found a big beautiful shell and then you walk up another couple of meters and there’s another one and another one and another one, and then you start to realize that I’m not just so lucky. It’s just a very untouched beach. I saw zero signs of any garbage or plastic washed up on the beach. It was just pristine, beautiful white sand. With shells completely littering all along the beach. If you’re a surfer, you’re going to love this resort the waves are fantastic. There were many activities for the kids playgrounds,volleyball,golf,horseback riding,swimming there was never a boring moment The Wi-Fi was extremely fast. My daughter enjoyed streaming movies on her computer, and there was never a moment that she was not impressed by the speed of the Internet. Overall, I would give this place 10 stars it for exceeded any expectations I had it was just plain gorgeous.

Absolutely breathtaking location! From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into a dream. Waking up to the sound of the waves right at your doorstep, and being able to step from your private pool directly onto the soft white sand—it’s pure paradise. Every detail of the setting is stunning, from the turquoise waters to the perfectly designed villa that blends luxury with comfort. The staff were exceptional—so friendly, attentive, and always ready to help without ever feeling intrusive. They went above and beyond to make sure every moment of our stay was unforgettable. We spent our days surfing, swimming, relaxing, and just soaking in the beauty all around us. It’s the kind of place where you instantly feel at peace, and time seems to slow down. We thoroughly enjoyed every second of our stay and cannot recommend this place highly enough. If you’re looking for a luxurious, serene escape where every detail feels like a dream, this is the ultimate destination. We’re already planning our return!