First Five Star Hotel opens in Komodo

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The first and only five-star luxury resort on Flores brings AYANA’s renowned hospitality to Labuan Bajo and aims to serve as the island’s newest lifestyle destination. With 205 bedrooms that overlook the UNESCO World Heritage site, Komodo National Park, three swimming pools, and an array of premium restaurants and bars, the opening of AYANA Komodo Resort marks a new beginning for luxury tourism in Flores.

AYANA Hotels announces the official opening of AYANA Komodo Resort, Waecicu Beach; the first five-star resort to launch on the dreamy island of Flores. The resort is an impressive sight to behold and truly marks a new beginning for tourism in East Indonesia.

The sister resort of renowned Balinese luxury retreat AYANA Resort and Spa, BALI, AYANA Komodo Resort was built in just 14-months. Spanning 1.4 hectares, the new resort showcases 205 bedrooms, two designer pools, children’s pool, and a handful of hospitality outlets including Rinca Restaurant, UNIQUE Rooftop Bar, Naga Bar, Mesa Bar, and Kisik Seafood Grill. The famous Japanese restaurant, HonZEN, will also follow on 1 October. The resort also features a premium spa, grand ballroom and several meeting spaces.

On 15 September, friends, travel agents, government officials, and media from across the globe came together to join the AYANA team to raise a glass to welcome the opening of the new property.

Upon arrival, the resort’s very first guests were met with a welcome drink and canapés before resort owner, Rudy Suliawan shared the journey of AYANA Komodo, a dream that was inspired by Mr. Suliawan’s daughter’s love of diving and fondness for Flores. The opening was warmly welcomed by tourism partners, local and government officials, including Bapak Agustinus Dula, Head of Region for West Manggarai Regency and the resort’s new General Manager, Fernando Arroyo.

After the official ribbon cutting ceremony, guests were invited to participate in a host of water activities such as stand up paddle boarding and kayaking, as well as sailing onboard Lako Taka, the resort’s new whale-shaped glass bottom boat.

Guests were also invited to participate in the culture of Komodo while dancing to a traditional Maumere Dance – a dance promoting ‘togetherness’, as well as experiencing the time-honoured Manggarai – otherwise known as the Caci dance, which represents a ritual whip fight. Come sunset, guests gathered for an evening rich in entertainment, cocktails, and delicious cuisine.  Korean-American artist ‘Tim’ ended the official ceremony with his show-stopping famous ballads, before fireworks and Rock Bar, BALI’s resident DJ lit up the dance floor.

About the author

Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen Thomas Steinmetz has continuously worked in the travel and tourism industry since he was a teenager in Germany (1977).
He founded eTurboNews in 1999 as the first online newsletter for the global travel tourism industry.

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