-10.900739 122.832642 81 Palms, Rote Island, Indonesia

This contemporary cabana collective is shaded by its eponymous 81 palm trees near the village of Nembrala, perfectly placed for surf pilgrims to visit some of Indonesia’s best breaks and designed with sustainable luxury and escapism in mind.

Scattered alongside Nembarala Beach, six secluded guest bungalows modelled on tribal architecture hunker into coral-white sand. Among them, a natural saltwater infinity pool framed by sun-bleached decking mirrors the turquoise horizon beyond – the hotel’s boat can ferry you to any wave that beckons. Central open-sided pavilions hosts a bar and restaurant helmed by co-owner and Michelin-awarded chef, Jose, whose Spanish-Indonesian fusion cuisine comes with a backdrop of blazing sunset skies.

A tropical modernist aesthetic combined with a vision of supporting sustainable tourism on a little-visited island roots this resort firmly in 21st-century clan culture; once you’ve discovered this special, hidden spot, you’ll want to stay part of the 81 Palms family forever.

Rooms Beach bungalows reflect the Rotinese vernacular, with high-pitched roofs, woven bamboo ceilings, and flooring crafted from Sulawesi meranti wood. King-size beds are draped with romantic muslin netting and decor matches the colours of nature: soft green, warm spice and natural wood. Solid teak and rattan furniture is made by local designers Poppou; seagrass matting, woven pandan lanterns and Indonesian Ikat throws reinforce the sense of place. Barefoot-luxury semi-alfresco bathrooms have coral-sand floors. An extra bed can be added to cabanas to accommodate up to two children aged 5–16.

How far to the nearest…

• • Resident neighbour 300m
  • Town 2km Nembrala; 50km (Ba’a)
  • Shop 1km
  • Café/Restaurant 1km
  • Beach 50m
  • Airport Kupang

  (on Timor Island) is the closest year-round airport, with connections to Bali Denpasar and Jakarta; you’ll need to overnight in Kupang then take a ferry to Rote

  Location Floating southwest of East Timor, Rote Ndao is a remote archipelago of 96 Lesser Sunda islands in the East Nusa Tenggara province.

  Build Sustainably designed by Atelier Alejandro Borrega, 81 Palms hotel structures mirror traditional Rotinese rumah lama huts, maximising their naturally insulating properties through the use of eco-friendly materials. Cabana roofs are thatched with palm leaves; timber is responsibly sourced. Sustainable custom furniture by Poppou uses SVLK-certified timber and fast-growing, locally harvested plants for weaving such as rattan, pandan and seagrass.

  Environment Rote Island is covered by acacia palm trees and rolling hills, grassland, plantation terraces and forest; cows and wild horses graze the land, while manta rays and whale sharks patrol its shores. If you’re exceptionally lucky you might spot the critically endangered endemic Rote Island snake-necked turtle.

  Community 81 Palms is a real passion project: as well as employing local staff and working with local enterprises, the hotel donates a portion of profits to support community projects.

  Digital detox No TVs; WiFi available.

  Creature comforts Cabanas have air-conditioning, luxury bedlinen and mosquito nets.

The waters around this tropical paradise are warm year-round; offshore trade winds curl waves into surf dreamscapes in the dry season (April–November) and Rote’s wet season brings lush greenery to its gold-hued rock formations.

Engage

Live to surf, far from the bustle of Bali or Bondi: the cost of your stay at 81 Palms includes boat transfers to the best local waves, including T-Land (Indonesia’s largest left); barrelling Bo’a; beginner-perfect Squealers, and far-out Sucky Mamas. Hire mopeds and tour Rote’s terraced plantations, lagoons and grassy plains; SUP or kayak through its dense mangroves. Dive beneath the surface to spy clouds of fish, darting wahoos and playful dolphins.

Savour

Bringing flair and passion from Barcelona, 81 Palms’ chef visits the Nemberala market to source seasonal organic ingredients supplemented by daily deliveries from local fishermen and farmers. Simple dishes prepared with love and care include mahi sashimi, refreshing gazpacho, seafood paella and pyramids of plump prawns.

Go slow

Untether your mind from the digital world – instead, fall asleep to the swelling rhythm of the waves; awake to the sound of birdsong; and let the sun’s arc across the sky mark the passage of time. Rote Ndao is about celebrating simplicity.