Beach Bungalows at Coconut Garden Resort

Because there are only eight bungalows, you get the best Indonesian hospitality here. The owners should have done better in creating some of the finest beach bungalows in the east of Indonesia.

Never have I seen such craftsmanship in a finished resort product. Every detail was carefully looked into, ensuring that guests get the ultimate experience while staying here. As I walked into my Sunset Bungalow, my eyes immediately looked around to see the small fittings that made a difference.

The open-concept beach bungalow allows guests to feel free. The interior of the unit has no walls except for a queen-sized bed with traditional mosquito nets and comfy pillows that invite guests to jump in. The bathroom is a separate outdoor area surrounded by an eight-foot wooden fence. Natural beach sand is used on the flooring, and stepping stones are used as the walkway.

The bathroom is connected to the main bungalow by sliding glass doors, making this a natural experience for anyone. I liked how the owners planned the bungalow layout.

Each bungalow is air-conditioned, while the hexagon glass walls have rustic matching curtains for privacy. At the bungalow entrance, you find a hammock to laze in all day and a seating area to drink while watching the Maumere sunset.

Around Coconut Beach Garden Resort

The peaceful and natural surroundings here are stunning. In the mornings, I was awakened by the soothing bird chirping, which is expected at the resort. The private beach has a couple of gazebos where you can laze with a cocktail and gaze at the scenery. Or you have had the local masseur give you a local and traditional massage.

Traditional massage can also be done in your bungalow. Other activities include kayaking, snorkelling, paddle boarding, fishing, boat trips, or anything else that fancies you. But, do not hope for jet skiing, skydiving or bungy jumping. You must remember, this is in the middle of nowhere.

For a more cultural experience, the resort can arrange for you to learn ‘Ikat Weaving’, a traditional Maumere way of weaving leaves. You can rent a motorbike and self-explore Maumere if you need to.

For fitness lovers, they have a fantastic outdoor beach gym in a similar bungalow design. The gym is equipped with international-standard equipment. There is no private or swimming pool here, as an entire sea awaits you.

The restaurant here must be highlighted, as it only serves farm-to-kitchen organic food. Yes, everything here is sourced locally from various farmers. Fish is bought directly from the local fishermen, and livestock from the farmers. The outcome is simply delicious and healthy.

As for drinks, fear not, as alcohol is served here. You can get local Indonesian beer and imported beer, wine, and spirits. Beer is sold by the bottles, too. For special occasions, the resort can arrange a seafood barbecue.

Room service is not available but can be arranged. For food, you can choose from local Indonesian to International fusion-styled food. One recommendation is to try fried banana fritters and calamari as snacks or starters.

Beyond Coconut Garden Beach Resort

For adventures, you can book a trip to Mount Kelimutu to see the fantastic tri-colour lakes and explore the Kelimutu National Park. If you are religious, ask the resort to plan a visit to Bukit Nilo to see the colossal statue of Mother Mary perched on top of the hill.

There is also an old wooden church that is said to be over a hundred years old and still in its natural form. These places are all located in the Sikka Regency, where Maumere is the capital.

Scuba diving in Maumere is also a growing activity, and there have been some promotions in recent years. Maumere is known to be one of the most diverse diving spots on earth, just after Raja Ampat.

There is a good balance of marine life here with opportunities to spot many types of rays, large and small, a healthy amount of reef fish and a wide variety of nudibranchs. If you are lucky, you can even spot pilot whales, dolphins or whale sharks en route to your dive sites.

I hope that in 2018, my good friend Pinneng from Kupang will arrange a diving experience in Maumere one day so I can complete my dive articles for this part of East Indonesia. Let us see if this happens. (Update: This never happened due to some complications.)

You can read my article on things to do in Flores, as it narrows down the main attractions here.

What do I think of This Place?

Let us be honest here—why go to Bali when you can visit somewhere exotic, have the luxuries of beachside resorts, and explore a place that only a few people have seen? I recommend visiting Maumere to anyone who wants something different.

The resort offers some pretty good wedding or romantic packages on its website for honeymooners or those wanting a romantic getaway minus the crowds. They even have a ‘Retie the Knot’ package.

You can also contact the resort directly. On a side note, they also have a dorm that caters to backpackers or those on a budget. The location of the resort is about 15-20 minutes from Maumere Airport, and transport is available when you book directly from the resort. The drive there is quite an eye-opener for first-timers, too, so keep an eye out the van window.

Conclusion

The Skyscanner team made this trip possible as we explored various places from Bali to Flores in East Nusa Tenggara. I never thought I would have the opportunity to explore the east side of Flores, as it has always been on my bucket list.

This review of the Coconut Garden Beach Resort is handy for anyone planning to visit this part of Flores. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comment form below or contact them directly.