Indonesia’s Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a cluster of three major and several smaller volcanic islands inhabited by more than 5,000 Komodo Dragons. These rare, aggressive creatures, which can only be found in this Southeast Asian country, are known to be the largest and heaviest of the world’s lizards, and can survive in extremely harsh conditions.
All the same, it’s fascinating to explore the lizard’s home, which encompasses beaches, rainforests, and animals like wild buffalo, deer, monkeys, and wild boars.
What cuties, eh? Anyway, we’re just as surprised as you that it took this long for a luxury resort to pop up in this neck of the Indonesian woods. The property, AYANA Komodo Park, comes from AYANA Resorts and is located an hour’s flight away from Bali — in West Flores, on Waecicu Beach. Apparently it’s the only one of its kind in the region.
The resort isn’t located on the home of Komodo Dragons (for obvious reasons) — in addition to preventing the displacement of the species, the animal is also known for its deadly bite and speed.
Instead, it’s in the town of Labuan Bajo, where trips to the national park typically set off from.
Slated to open on September 15 this year, AYANA Komodo Park will house 192 guest rooms and 13 suites, with a check-in lounge on the 11th floor lobby and rooms descending to the sandy shores of the beach. Other features include a rooftop wedding venue (or function suite) with an ocean view terrace, a pier and rooftop bar, three swimming pools, a gym and kid’s club, and restaurants serving Japanese and Asian cuisines, among others.
The hotel group also stated that it will raise funds to support the Komodo Dragon heritage site, as well as to develop the facilities of the national park, and improve the safety and training of Komodo Rangers.
Damn, these press photos. Damn.
Alongside AYANA Komodo Resort, the group will debut a 54m-long, 11m-wide phinisi (a traditional double-masted Indonesian ship) as well. Only, this is the pimped out version, with nine bedrooms, a super luxe lounge area, and dive decks for guests on board to go snorkeling, diving, or trawling.
AYANA Lako di’a (which means “safe journey” in the local language) takes off from the resort’s private pier, and will ferry visitors around the Komodo islands for short expeditions of two, three, or five nights.
Sigh. Lush island playground or a grand voyage on the seas — choices, choices.
