One of the world’s leading integrated design firms, WATG, has unveiled its design for the recently launchedAYANA Komodo Resort, Waecicu Beach in Labuan Bajo, on Flores Island, the latest five-star offering in the Indonesian Archipelago.
This lush resort is set across an intimate 1.4-hectare site, accommodating 192 rooms and 13 suites. With stunning 180-degree views of the calming Flores Sea, guests are greeted at a roof-top lobby area, where one of the hotel’s three cosy bars can be found bathed in a golden glow every evening. Located in a lagoon with extraordinary marine life and pristine white beaches, the design ensures visitors feel truly immersed in the lush natural surroundings.
“The site’s amazing location on the edge of the sea forms a destination and gateway to the Sunda Islands archipelago,” says Bill Reed, Vice President of Architecture at WATG Singapore. “This is the first world-class destination in the area and it will serve as a benchmark for future development. We designed the AYANA Komodo Resort to reflect the relaxed aesthetic of the Komodo Islands, with a feeling of spontaneity and subtle sophistication.”
The name Flores means ‘flowers’ in Portuguese, named for the natural beauty of the flora and fauna of the island. The area’s rich cultural and ecological landscape has shaped WATG’s design for the resort. Named after the world’s largest species of lizard, the spectacular Komodo dragon, Komodo National Park, Indonesia’s renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just a short journey away by boat. The resorts’ guest wing has a curving shape and rough textured roof that emulates the form of the famed reptile. The architecture also draws inspiration from the rugged Manggarai Mountain range, and abundance of local materials and traditional Batik patterns, to create an informed identity for the hotel, the third AYANA property in the region. Other guest amenities include two large pools on the shore, six restaurants and bars, and a 420 square-metre spa.
While Labuan Bajo is best known as the launch point for dragon-viewing expeditions, the island also features beautiful reefs along the coast, popular among seasoned divers and casual snorkelers alike. AYANA Komodo Resort allows guests to explore this turquoise paradise with the design of a 500-metre pier extending from the beach into the sea, featuring a dedicated dive centre. For those looking for more spectacular adventures, moored at the pier will be a large catamaran for day-long diving trips and a spectacular 54-metre phinisi ship operated by the hotel. AYANA Lado di’a will allow guests to embark on luxury weekend escapes, with Flores conveniently located to explore the other islands of the Lesser Sunda chain, part of a volcanic arc in the Java Sea.
The considered design of the property will be underscored by AYANA’s impeccable and caring service, building on the success of their nearby resorts. Clive Edwards, the General Manager of the AYANA hotels in Bali, says, “Our passion for people, and our philosophy for understanding our guests, will be injected into our AYANA Komodo Resort, Waecicu Beach. We are excited about introducing the newest member of our resort family to the AYANA community, and look forward to launching the first premium five-star resort in Flores.”
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