There’s no doubt that Menjaga Bay’s sea suites are the focal point of this newly opened resort.
Sitting over the vivid blue Flores sea, they wouldn’t look out of place in the Maldives.
Yet, in many ways, Menjaga Bay reminded me more of a safari lodge than an island retreat – despite being one of the most romantic hotels I’ve ever stayed in.
From the open-plan restaurant and scenic mangroves, to the indoor/outdoor showers and wooden walkways, Menjaga Bay wouldn’t look out of place in the middle of a National Park in Namibia or South Africa.
Only the sea suites give away Menjaga Bay’s true location, which is right on the border of Komodo National Park.
But, while these stunning overwater bungalows may be what draw you in to this new luxury resort, they’re far from the only reason to book a stay here.
That is, assuming you can get a room. Because, even though the resort only opened in December 2023, rooms are already getting snapped up quickly.
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Staying at Menjaga Bay
I checked in to Menjaga Bay for three nights and used it as a (somewhat unusual) base for visiting Komodo National Park.
Most visitors to Komodo National Park opt for a 2-night or 3-night liveaboard experience where they spend several nights on a boat.
The alternative is to stay on Flores island – usually in the fishing town of Labuan Bajo – and visit Komodo NP on a day trip.
Staying at Menjaga Bay resort will mean you’re staying farther away from the harbours.
But, in my opinion, the extra journey will be worth it if you can spend at least 3-4 nights here because Menjaga Bay is an experience in itself.
Why stay at Menjaga Bay Resort
There are hotels you check into for a place a to sleep, and then there are the hotels that are the attraction themselves.
While most accommodation in the Labuan Bajo area falls into the former, Menjaga Bay certainly doesn’t.
Menjaga Bay is the kind of resort you might want to visit even no matter where in the world it was.
The fact that you can also use it as a base to explore Komodo National Park means you can enjoy two bucket list experiences in one.
Here are just a few of the things that make Menjaga Bay worth a stay:
The tranquillity
Situated nearly 20km south of Labuan Bajo, Menjaga Bay offers a more peaceful place to retreat to after a day of exploring.
With such a secluded location, the resort feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the popular tourist town, but is close enough to get out and about.
Eco-friendly luxury
Menjaga Bay has created a truly luxurious stay while keeping sustainability front of mind.
The boutique hotel features all the little touches you’d expect while ensuring everything is as eco-friendly as possible.
This means you can truly relax knowing that you’re contributing to responsible tourism practices, rather than harming the nature you likely came to see.
More reasons to visit Flores
Many visitors head straight on to other parts of Indonesia without spending anymore time on Flores.
Menjaga Bay is reason enough to schedule a few more nights on this underrated island when planning your Indonesia itinerary.
A unique stay
Beyond the Maldives-esque sea suites, the resort has many unique accommodation features that make it worth a stay.
From the unique interior accents to the cleverly designed mountain cottages (which we’ll explore in more detail later!), the resort is unlike anywhere else.
Add to that its great location, with unique views over several islands in Komodo National Park, and it promises a stay to remember for multiple reasons.
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Menjaga Bay – Review
When I checked in to Menjaga Bay in early December 2023, it was less than two weeks after its official opening.
That meant that a few finishes touches were still in the works, all due to be completed within the coming month or two.
It also meant that I arrived with no idea what to expect because there were no Menjaga Bay reviews that I could read in advance.
But, as a travel blogger, that’s (usually) a better way to do things.
It allowed me to experience the newly opened boutique resort without any expectations or preconceptions. And here is what I found:
Rooms at Menjaga Bay
There are two types of room at Menjaga Bay.
The sea suites are, of course, the ones that catch the most attention.
The more secluded mountain cottages are larger, equally charming and offer stunning views over the bay.
I stayed in both types of room at Menjaga Bay and would have a hard time choosing between the two. If you have enough time, I highly recommend trying both!
Inside all rooms, you’ll find a large king bed or twin beds depending on your preference.
They are some of the comfiest beds I encountered in Indonesia, with the kind of bed linen and attention to detail that you would expect on a luxury beachfront getaway.
They are all air-conditioned rooms and are very generously sized, with plenty of space and access to the free wifi.
RECOMMENDED READ | A unique stay at Tabo Cottages on Indonesia’s Lake Toba.
All guest rooms also have a large private semi-open bathroom, cleverly designed for complete privacy. Each comes with a powerful shower, hot water and double sinks.
They all come equipped with drinking water, a safety deposit box, robes and a kettle.
The only issue you’re likely to face is choosing which room type to stay in!
Mountain Cottages
It’s easy to overlook Menjaga Bay’s mountain cottages but, aside from the eye-grabbing sea suites, the resort is also home to seven luxury villas.
Of these, six come coupled up in pairs that can be rented as a single units for groups or couples travelling together. And there is an additional benefit in doing this.
The paired up villas come with a choice of private outdoor swimming pool (with stunning sea views) on one side a secluded outside bathtub on the other.
Groups who rent both units together can enjoy access to both the pool and the tub, as well as plenty of private space in which to relax.
The final unit is a standalone cottage with a private pool and so much privacy that you might feel like the only guests in the resort.
(Unless the peeping macaque shows up while you’re in the shower, that is. I didn’t encounter him, but apparently he hangs around sometimes!)
Sea Suites
No Menjaga Bay review would be complete without mentioning the resort’s standout feature: the sea suites.
Let’s face it, if staying at a boutique ocean-facing resort is your kind of thing, an overwater bungalow is probably on your travel bucket list.
And these ones certainly won’t disappoint!
Beautifully designed to fit rustic luxury vibe of the resort, the sea suites offer a spacious main room with an indoor/outdoor bathroom.
The room prices are the more premium option, despite the smaller size of the room itself and lack of private plunge pool/outdoor tub.
Dining at Menjaga Bay
If there’s one thing you might find frustrating about Menjaga Bay, it could be the limited food options.
It’s limited, yes – but understandably so.
Given that the on-site restaurant only caters for the relatively low number of guests that the resort can accommodate, I think they do a fantastic job of ensuring the limited options available cover all bases.
While I was there, I had no issue ordering vegetarian options, and I was informed that vegan dishes are available on request.
The menu changes every day, with around 2-3 appetisers, 4-5 mains and 3 desserts to choose between.
What the restaurant makes up for in quantity, they more than make up for in quality. I can’t fault a single meal that I ate here and really enjoyed everything.
Plus, with a completely new menu every day, it would be more than varied enough for even a one-week stay.
One thing to note is that if you’ve been travelling Indonesia for a while, food prices at Menjaga Bay might seem a little on the high side.
That said, for comparison, a meal at Menjaga won’t cost much more than a similar meal at most Canggu restaurants. The difference is that here there is no competition, while in Canggu the competition is endless.
When there’s only one place to eat, you want the food to be good. And the food at Menjaga Bay was probably some of my favourite food in Indonesia.
Breakfast was a particular highlight, with a choice of American and Asian breakfast dishes available. As somebody else put it, it was the “best breakfast in Indonesia so far” and, after travelling to Lombok, Sumatra and Bali as well, I have to agree.
You can also choose any type of coffee or juice – including my favourite, dragon fruit – and can expect a basket of breads and cakes plus a fruit salad alongside whatever dish you choose.
Resort Facilities
Menjaga Bay is the kind of resort you check in to for a great tropical escape. And relaxing is the main thing to do here.
There are water sports facilities such as kayaks, SUP boards and snorkelling equipment for anyone who wants to explore the surrounding ocean and neighbouring islands.
But the main activity at Menjaga Bay is complete relaxation, whether that’s in the central outdoor pool, your own spacious terrace, the scenic 360-degree bar at the end of the wooden pier or the on-site spa and beauty centre.
The latter is tucked away in a secluded corner of the resort – so hidden that you might miss it, which is exactly what you want when you’re treating yourself to a relaxing spa day.
I had an incredible “mangrove massage” during my stay, which really helped my achy legs and shoulders after hiking Rinjani a few days prior.
All of the services of course come with additional charges, but they’re reasonably priced and great value for the quality and exclusivity.
If anything is missing, I personally prefer to have access to a fitness centre of some kind. That said, I wouldn’t give up the option to swim directly off my suite’s private balcony for it…
Hotel Eco Credentials
One thing that was noticeable from the moment I arrived at the front desk was that sustainability matters here.
That’s great news if you’re keen to contribute to ecotourism and travel as responsibly as possible.
And, presuming you’re here to see wild komodo dragons and marvel at the unique nature, staying in an eco-friendly hotel is a must.
I’m sure there are more things that I didn’t pick up on, but some of the resort’s sustainability practices that I noticed include:
- Offering information via WhatsApp so there’s no need for brochures and endless paper.
- Making free drinking water available in the rooms, restaurants and on request to avoid the use of plastic.
- Providing takeaway breakfasts in paper rather than plastic.
- Offering a locally-sourced menu, including fish of the day from the Labuan Bajo market.
- Offering full-size free toiletries that can be refilled, rather than single-use miniatures.
- Bamboo straws rather than single-use items.
Planning a stay at Menjaga Bay
When you come to Menjaga Bay, you’ll want to arrive fully prepared.
The resort (currently) has no on-site gift shop or convenience store and the nearest amenities are back in Labuan Bajo.
While it’s possible to get a ride to the Labuan Bajo harbour or town, you’ll likely have to time your trip with the day’s airport transfers. Because of this, we ended up spending an entire afternoon in Labuan Bajo for a 20-minute drone permit meeting.
Plus you’ll have to pay 400,000 IDR for the service.
My advice: come to Menjaga Bay completely ready to unwind and with everything you need.
How to get to Menjaga Bay Resort
Admittedly, Menjaga Bay isn’t the easiest place to get to – especially if your focus is on visiting Komodo Island, the famous pink beach of Padar, and the rest of Komodo National Park.
However, the additional journey is well worth the effort if you allow yourself at least a couple of days to truly enjoy the resort.
The nearest airport is Labuan Bajo (also known as Komodo International Airport) and the resort provides a free shuttle service for arrivals and departures.
And it’s good that it does because, unless you fancy hiring a scooter, there’s currently no other way to get to Menjaga Bay.
It (currently) takes almost 45 minutes to drive from the airport to Menjaga Bay. That’s because most of the way there will take you off-road. It’s incredibly scenic, but it’s also incredibly bumpy!
But don’t be fooled by this unusual entrance to an otherwise luxurious resort – because it is all luxury as soon as you arrive at the modern front gate.
Plus, enter in the afternoon, which is the most popular arrival time at Labuan Bajo airport, and you’ll be there just in time to freshen up and enjoy what might be your most beautiful sunset during your time in Indonesia.
One of the staff told me that the government is planning to build a paved road to the property in 2024, but only time will tell if that’s true.
If it happens, the journey will become much faster and make Menjaga Bay a very convenient spot to stay. Car hire would also be possible, meaning guests would have more freedom to explore beyond the resort.
For now, though, Menjaga Bay is an extremely tranquil getaway at the end of an adventurous ride.
How many nights at Menjaga Bay
Due to the resort’s location, I would recommend spending at least three night’s here in total.
If you also plan to take a speedboat day trip to the shores of the Komodo National Park, consider adding an extra day or two.
Or, if you want to truly relax and take it easy, it wouldn’t be hard to spend an entire week here – especially if you want to experience both (completely different) types of room!