What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (2025)

Welcome to Checking In, a review series in which our editors and contributors rate the best luxury hotels based on a rigorous—and occasionally tongue-in-cheek—10-point system: Each question answered “yes” gets one point. Will room service bring you caviar? Does your suite have its own butler? Does the bathroom have a bidet? Find out below.

Describe the hotel in three words: Komodo exploration home base.

What’s the deal?

Move over, Bali—the rest of Indonesia is calling. Marriott steps into the bountiful and tranquil Flores island in the eastern part of the archipelago with Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, the group’s second property in the country under the same brand.

What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (1)

Nestled the peaceful seaside town of Labuan Bajo, reachable from Jakarta and Bali through short direct flights, the hotel is sandwiched between sea and lush woodland. 25 villas and 45 suites are spread across a sizeable 16 hectares of land, their design tentpoles drawn from the traditions and architectural features of the native Manggarai community. Balinese studio ANP Interiors looked to the spider-webbed Lingko rice fields and tapered village huts to create distinct structures laid out in a cascading formation, reflecting the surrounding landscape. Indigenous crafts and fibres, handcrafted wood techniques, and local artwork add to the cultural influences that shape the elegant visual and textural experience.

What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (2)
What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (3)
What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (4)

For travellers who prioritise adventure and discovery above all, the on- and off-resort activities are jam-packed with untapped exploration potential. Labuan Bajo is the ideal starting point to set out from for jaunts through wild forests, sails across the Flores Sea, diving opportunities in Makassar Reef, hikes on Padar Island, spelunking in the Batu Cermin and Goa Rangko caves, walks through the cone-shaped Wae Rebo village houses, and tours of the no-introductions-needed Komodo National Park to encounter its eponymous reptiles.

At the hotel, engage in coffee workshops showcasing local beans, storytelling sessions highlighting the history, culture, and attire of the Manggarai people, sasando harp and caci dance classes, snorkelling in the house reef, and more.

What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (5)

The best room?

One of the seven distinct Overwater Sea Villas, perched on the edge of the property atop the Flores Sea, will be an unbeatable choice. Not only are you afforded front-row seats to the magnificent sunset and panoramic ocean views from your own personal balcony, but guests will also have a generous 195 square metres to themselves. For an even bigger affair, the Mansion, a 459-square-metre, three-bedroom behemoth, with a spacious terrace, dining room for 10, and private pool, provides the ideal sanctuary for large groups travelling together.

What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (6)

Did they greet you by name at check-in?

Yes, and throughout the stay as well; the team is well-informed, attentive, and switched-on.

Was a welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived?

Yes. In fact, the reinterpreted jamu beverage, made with chamomile, osmanthus, apple juice, and tuak curu, was only one part of the traditional welcoming ritual. A choice between four handmade bracelets, each representing a different aspect of Labuan Bajo—black for the Komodo dragons, red for the sunset, green for the hotel, and blue for the ocean—was also presented to us upon arrival, marking the beginning of our visit.

What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (7)

Private butler for every room?

Villa guests can avail themselves of dedicated private butler service around the clock, and the team is reachable on WhatsApp for top-notch convenience. Call them for buggy services and the like. For guests booked into suites, private butler service is available upon request.

Is the sheet thread count higher than 300?

Sure is. Heads and bodies will be comfortably rested on 400-thread-count bed linen.

What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (8)

Is there a heated floor in the bathroom? What about a bidet?

Labuan Bajo is a comfortably balmy destination, so no heating underfoot is needed. Bidets are happily part of the package, in both the master bathroom as well as the guest lavatory in the One-Bedroom Villa we stayed in, a 112-square-metre residential-style option.

Are the toiletries full-sized?

Yes; our One-Bedroom Villa came with full-sized bottles of Sachajuan shampoo and conditioner, and Sodashi-branded botanical shower gel with essential oils and body lotion. Of note also is the deep soaking tub, the perfect way to end a day of active adventure.

What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (9)
What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (10)
What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (11)
What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (12)
What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (13)
What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (14)
What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (15)

Is there a private pool for the room’s exclusive use? How are the spa and gym?

Book a One-Bedroom Villa or Two-Bedroom Family Villa and the private pool is all yours, complete with a cabana-like lounge area and outdoor shower. It’s not large or long enough for proper laps, but the property additionally has two substantial pools—one Olympic-sized, one for families by the private beach—that will allow you to get your aquatic exercises in.

Di’a Spa, a serene retreat, and its design are shaped by the natural beauty and ancient features of the Goa Rangko and Batu Cermin caves of Flores. Begin your rejuvenation journey with a sauna session and a plunge in the hot and cold pools, and move on to a soothing wellness therapy melding local ingredients and traditional rituals, choosing from body treatments, massages, facials, and the like; the After Sun offers intense hydration, Marine Wrap highlights the rich minerals and nutrients of seaweed, and Flores Coffee uses beans, vanilla, and ground almond for exfoliation. A unique service offered here is the Hygge Harmony Scent Hair Treatment, a popular Korean practice, designed to nourish, restore, and refresh hair and scalp health—make time for this experience if you have not tried it before. A 24-hour fitness centre will see to your needs with cardio and strength-training machines.

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Is the restaurant worth its salt?

Naturally. Leros sates the appetite from breakfast through to dinner; the rotating breakfast buffet spans international dishes to local fare like gulai daging beef curry, bihun goreng fried vermicelli noodles, and assorted gorengan fritters, curated from the Indonesian archipelago’s diverse regional cuisines. Fresh sambal is made on-site à la minute, according to your preferences, and classic start-of-the-day items such as egg-white omelette, tofu avocado, and signature eggs Benedict can be found on the à la carte menu.

Robatayaki specialist Taba overlooks the maze of villas from a high perch, melding the bold art of open-flame cooking with local, sustainably sourced seafood. Not to be missed are the Flores Strait tuna tostadas and the signature catch-of-the-day ceviche. From the binchōtan grill, the Miyazaki sirloin, Flores Strait lobster, and octopus are stellar choices.

Umasa is where family-style Indonesian dining takes centre stage. Although à la carte is available, we recommend the Rantang tasting menu for two instead; the spread of dishes allows for the perfect exploration of the vast range of authentic local flavours. Hearty iga babi panggang smoked pork ribs with sambal andaliman and sautéed cassava, poached Flores Strait lobster with sambal luat, and konro bakar Black Angus short ribs with konro peanut sauce are just a small number of the things that will be brought to your table.

What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (17)

Do you want to spend Friday night in the lobby bar?

Sure do; in fact, every night, if the schedule allows. Maiga is not strictly a lobby bar—it is situated nowhere near the lobby—but its location on the jetty cannot be faulted, as it faces the ocean, and its main draw is sunset-watching. Its menu, too, is intriguing and worth more than one visit to explore the full breadth of offerings; the range of sustainability-inflected cocktails reflect Labuan Bajo’s rich cultural heritage, imparting the rich flavours and stories of local sea nomads and land dwellers with each sip. Order the coastal-inspired Voyager’s Libation, made with silver tequila, watermelon, pink peppercorn, blue algae, sea water, and coconut air foam, and the Moso, a drink inspired by the Lingko rice fields, blending local sopi distillation with toasted rice, lemon basil, starfruit, honeydew, calamansi, and aquafaba.

Would you buy the hotel if you could?

Yes, but wrestling it from the owner will prove a feat; this is a passion project built on meaningful core pillars, blending cultural preservation with sustainability and community. And what a fabulous job they have done with the property, enhanced by the staff, service, and experiences—this is the place to consider for your next excursion to Indonesia.

Score: 9

What Our Score Means:

1–3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you stay here.

4–6: Solid if you’re in a pinch—but only if you’re in a pinch.

7–8: Very good. We’d stay here again and recommend it without qualms.

9–10: Forget booking a week. When can we move in permanently?

All images courtesy of Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa.

What It’s Like to Stay at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, a Luxe Getaway on Indonesia’s Flores Island (2025)

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