A gorgeous eco resort perched above one of Sumbawa's best rights
A gorgeous eco resort perched above one of Sumbawa's best rights
To get to southwest Sumbawa, you can fly into Lombok, drive to the northeast coast, cross the strait by speedboat and carry on by road. Or fly into Sumbawa Besar and spend three and a half hours tracing your way around the island. Neither route is especially direct, but the journey takes you through wild landscapes, small villages, empty beaches and sudden glimpses of the ocean along the way. The reward is Kini, perched above the clean lines of the island’s best reef break.
THE SURF HIDEAWAYS ADVANTAGE
Save 5% on your stay when you book with us
To get to southwest Sumbawa, you can fly into Lombok, drive to the northeast coast, cross the strait by speedboat and carry on by road. Or fly into Sumbawa Besar and spend three and a half hours tracing your way around the island. Neither route is especially direct, but the journey takes you through wild landscapes, small villages, empty beaches and sudden glimpses of the ocean along the way. The reward is Kini, perched above the clean lines of the island’s best reef break.
THE SURF HIDEAWAYS ADVANTAGE
Save 5% on your stay when you book with us
A small collection of lodges and villas built into the hillside, each with a private infinity pool and wide views across the Indian Ocean. Henry Horthy, the resort's founder, designed the lodges himself, with an emphasis on keeping the footprint light without sacrificing comfort. The architecture is open and sculptural, with high bamboo roofs and generous outdoor spaces. Next to it is Sapphire, the resort’s restaurant and sunset bar, wrapped around infinity pools above the beach. The result is a surfer's dream: a year-round swell magnet right below, the waves visible from your bed and the lineup just a short walk down the hill.
A small collection of lodges and villas built into the hillside, each with a private infinity pool and wide views across the Indian Ocean. Henry Horthy, the resort's founder, designed the lodges himself, with an emphasis on keeping the footprint light without sacrificing comfort. The architecture is open and sculptural, with high bamboo roofs and generous outdoor spaces. Next to it is Sapphire, the resort’s restaurant and sunset bar, wrapped around infinity pools above the beach. The result is a surfer's dream: a year-round swell magnet right below, the waves visible from your bed and the lineup just a short walk down the hill.
Rooms
The seven Bamboo Eco Lodges (60 sqm) are handbuilt from sustainably sourced bamboo. The Beach Front lodges sit closest to the ocean with uninterrupted sea views. The Beach View lodges are tucked higher into the hillside, with more privacy and wider views across the hills and ocean. Every lodge has a king bed, air conditioning, a kitchen space, an outdoor shower, private terrace and its own infinity pool.
The architecture is immediately distinctive. The bamboo bends overhead into dramatic, shell-like roofs, while the interiors are deliberately simple: natural materials, open bathrooms and big openings that keep attention on the landscape.
For groups, Kini also has larger standalone villas. Kini Villa has two bedrooms, a 12-metre infinity pool and space for up to six guests. Manta Villa has three bedrooms and sleeps up to eight. Elysian Cove is a great option for couples with two 1-bedroom villas with a shared 12m infinity pool.
The seven Bamboo Eco Lodges (60 sqm) are handbuilt from sustainably sourced bamboo. The Beach Front lodges sit closest to the ocean with uninterrupted sea views. The Beach View lodges are tucked higher into the hillside, with more privacy and wider views across the hills and ocean. Every lodge has a king bed, air conditioning, a kitchen space, an outdoor shower, private terrace and its own infinity pool.
The architecture is immediately distinctive. The bamboo bends overhead into dramatic, shell-like roofs, while the interiors are deliberately simple: natural materials, open bathrooms and big openings that keep attention on the landscape.
For groups, Kini also has larger standalone villas. Kini Villa has two bedrooms, a 12-metre infinity pool and space for up to six guests. Manta Villa has three bedrooms and sleeps up to eight. Elysian Cove is a great option for couples with two 1-bedroom villas with a shared 12m infinity pool.
Food & Drinks
Sapphire, Kini’s restaurant and bar, is set around infinity pools above the beach and serves from breakfast through dinner. The menu moves between regional flavours from across the Indonesian archipelago and Western classics. Come sunset, the menu shifts to smaller plates made for sharing over drinks as the last sets come through below.
The kitchen is headed by Chef Kuncir. Born in Lombok into a family of cooks, he first trained as an artist before heading to culinary school in Bali.
Sapphire, Kini’s restaurant and bar, is set around infinity pools above the beach and serves from breakfast through dinner. The menu moves between regional flavours from across the Indonesian archipelago and Western classics. Come sunset, the menu shifts to smaller plates made for sharing over drinks as the last sets come through below.
The kitchen is headed by Chef Kuncir. Born in Lombok into a family of cooks, he first trained as an artist before heading to culinary school in Bali.
Surfing
Sekongkang Bay is one of Sumbawa's best stretches of surf. Yoyo's breaks directly beneath Kini and is a wave magnet, surfable more than 300 days a year. It has two distinct sections: the Hook is a powerful, rippable right with a defined channel, and works on all tides. The Wedge breaks near the cliff and is usually one to two feet smaller than The Hook, with a more regulated takeoff point, making it the easier of the pair.
At Tropicals, the left is a gentler option for intermediates, while a learner wave on the right gives beginners somewhere to start; Kini can also arrange lessons with a coach. Twenty minutes north are two of Indonesia's heavier lefts. Scar Reef, a powerful left that stands up and barrels over a shallow reef and is not for the faint-hearted, and Super Suck, a hollow, fast and unforgiving barrel over sharp coral, for experienced surfers only.
April to October is the main season, peaking June to September, brings the biggest and most consistent swells with light morning offshore winds. The wet season, November to March, is smaller and glassier, with far fewer people in the water. Water stays warm year-round.
Sekongkang Bay is one of Sumbawa's best stretches of surf. Yoyo's breaks directly beneath Kini and is a wave magnet, surfable more than 300 days a year. It has two distinct sections: the Hook is a powerful, rippable right with a defined channel, and works on all tides. The Wedge breaks near the cliff and is usually one to two feet smaller than The Hook, with a more regulated takeoff point, making it the easier of the pair.
At Tropicals, the left is a gentler option for intermediates, while a learner wave on the right gives beginners somewhere to start; Kini can also arrange lessons with a coach. Twenty minutes north are two of Indonesia's heavier lefts. Scar Reef, a powerful left that stands up and barrels over a shallow reef and is not for the faint-hearted, and Super Suck, a hollow, fast and unforgiving barrel over sharp coral, for experienced surfers only.
April to October is the main season, peaking June to September, brings the biggest and most consistent swells with light morning offshore winds. The wet season, November to March, is smaller and glassier, with far fewer people in the water. Water stays warm year-round.
Activities
Surfing is the obvious draw, but there is plenty to do beyond the break. Kini can arrange horse riding along the beach, kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling, as well as cooking classes. The resort also runs regular turtle releases through its Save the Turtles programme, with guests naming a hatchling before releasing it into the sea. Further afield, trips can be organised for diving and whale shark encounters.
For something slower, yoga, meditation and massages are available, with more on offer at nearby Kirana, Kini’s sister property. Set on its own bay, Kirana has an open-air yoga shala, calm water for swimming and snorkelling, and space for paddleboarding and kayaking. It gives Kini guests another setting to explore when they want a change of pace.
Surfing is the obvious draw, but there is plenty to do beyond the break. Kini can arrange horse riding along the beach, kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling, as well as cooking classes. The resort also runs regular turtle releases through its Save the Turtles programme, with guests naming a hatchling before releasing it into the sea. Further afield, trips can be organised for diving and whale shark encounters.
For something slower, yoga, meditation and massages are available, with more on offer at nearby Kirana, Kini’s sister property. Set on its own bay, Kirana has an open-air yoga shala, calm water for swimming and snorkelling, and space for paddleboarding and kayaking. It gives Kini guests another setting to explore when they want a change of pace.
The People Behind
Kini is the project of Henry Horthy and Elsa Erlistia. Henry is an engineer and designer who has lived in Indonesia for most of his life. He designed the resort with the idea that it should feel like it belonged on the hillside rather than having been imposed on it.
Together, Henry and Elsa have carried that approach through Kini and nearby sister property Kirana, combining sustainable construction, renewable systems, and close ties to the local community with most of the team hired from surrounding villages.
Kini is the project of Henry Horthy and Elsa Erlistia. Henry is an engineer and designer who has lived in Indonesia for most of his life. He designed the resort with the idea that it should feel like it belonged on the hillside rather than having been imposed on it.
Together, Henry and Elsa have carried that approach through Kini and nearby sister property Kirana, combining sustainable construction, renewable systems, and close ties to the local community with most of the team hired from surrounding villages.
Booking
FROM
$185
USD
per night
THE SURF HIDEAWAYS ADVANTAGE
Book with the code HIDEAWAYS and get 5% off your stay.
FROM
$185
USD
per night
THE SURF HIDEAWAYS ADVANTAGE
Book with the code HIDEAWAYS and get 5% off your stay.