Maringi Sumba

Maringi Sumba is a really special experience. Not only are the facilities fabulous, the rooms comfortable and the grounds sprawling, but it's really the staff that make Maringi such a treat. Made up of almost entirely students from the Sumba Hospitality Foundation, Maringi is their campus and their centre of learning, so every element of your stay is enhanced by the eagerness of young people to build their skills, and make the stay as amazing as possible. A privilege and a treat!

We had the most amazing time staying with Maringi Sumba. We chose the accommodation because we wanted to be part of such a lovely concept of a hospitality training school for young people. How lucky we were to be treated so well by these wonderful young students. Full board included the most amazing meals with breakfast everyday then a lunch was either available on site or if you were off on tour the culinary students packed a lunch and fruit and water in an esky for you to take out on tour. Arriving back from a big day out touring each day we were treated to a three course menu for dinner. Absolutely delicious every day! The front of house staff are available from when you wake until you return back to your room in the evening. Their English skills are impressive especially since many arrive at the hospitality school with no English. They are all fun and ever so helpful offering information with enthusiasm and love. We felt like we were part of the family. Every day we found room service changing our welcome shell art and a fun towel art on our beds after turn down service. Fresh filtered water in glass bottles ( no plastic here ). I had a fab massage with Lola in the lovely spa. Such a beautiful space. The grounds are filled with beautiful architecture, sustainable bamboo structures that leave you in awe, permaculture gardens that grow a lot of the ingredients for the resort. We just feel so lucky to of experienced this beautiful place. Congratulations to all the staff and students and to The Sumba Foundation for creating and sharing this wonderful place for us to enjoy. Wish you many successful careers to all your students. May you follow your dreams and have the best life ever. Everything is a long way away and a driver and guide from Maringi Sumba will make your travels much more enjoyable. A fabulous place to experience if you are staying in West Sumba.

The best hotel experience ever. Maringi has heart and soul and incredible facilities but what really sets it apart are the students and staff. They’re eager to learn and do it all with a huge smile. They have created 4 permaculture gardens and an orchard on the grounds which feeds guests and students delicious meals and will also create generational change as students will take their learnings home to their families and own farms. It’s nice knowing the money is being put towards a sustainable tourism model and the education of the local Sumbanese. Inge has created something truly remarkable at Maringi and with the foundation. The spa is incredible - I had the best massage I’ve ever had in Indonesia from Rose and our concierge, Angel was just delightful; anticipating all our needs and going out of her way to make us feel special. I was lucky enough to celebrate my birthday while visiting and the staff made me a cake and sang the most beautiful songs. Their sister restaurant in town is also excellent and beautifully designed. The yoga pavilion at Maringi is an architectural marvel as is the rest of the campus. Sumba is only 1 hour from Bali but remote and a real adventure. I encourage everyone to come before the developers do and don’t even think of staying anywhere other than Maringi. A delight from beginning to end and an experience we will never forget. Thank you Maringi. We’re already planning a return visit in November to watch the students graduate.

We enjoyed our experience here a lot. The concept of a hospitality training school lifting young people up is great. I am in full support. We stayed in a pool bungalow which was lovely though not perfect. For example, water in the shower never really got hot or even warm. Mosquitos are also a bit an issue but there is a zapper and mosquito netting. The bed is very comfortable. The room has good amenities. The pool is nice, but could benefit from more regular pool attendance to take leaves and caterpillars out. The students are very friendly and eager. But realize they are students and things will not be perfect. There can very language issues. But they are an impressive bunch and learn a lot in a short time. We had a student who was sort of a butler/captain attending to us. But he was a bit too overly involved. We really did not require to be picked up for every meal. Realize you will in fact become their teacher. But that is what in essence you are prepared when you stay here. The food is very good. I did not like there was a set menu at dinner with no choice. Just one appetizer and one main course for dinner. Tours are good and I also had two Balinese massages that were quite good.

Me and my friends had an amazing time at Maringi! The students welcomed us with big smiles and a lot of enthusiasm. We could really see the positive impact the foundation has on the students: their english level, their hospitable service and knowledge, the sustainability initiatives etc. The food was delicious, with plenty of choices to pick from. Our room was spacious and comfy and had a nice outdoor shower. Plus, the place had everything you could want - a pool, spa, sunset bar, and even a yoga spot. It was a fantastic experience all around!

Superb experience to stay at Maringi Sumba and simultaneously supporting such the wonderful Sumba Hospitality Foundation. The caring service and the quality of food served was outstanding. Need to also highlight the first class spa services.

This is a beautiful hidden gem in the middle of nowhere. The hotel is beautifully designed and the rooms although simple are very comfortable. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, and a real joy to walk around. The food is delicious. The hotel is ran by hospitality students, who are the real stars of the show. Incredibly friendly and welcoming, and very hard working. They absolutely spoiled our kids with love and attention. What a beautiful project.

This was our second time in Maringi. We love the idea of staying in a training hotel and helping nurture young talents. Seeing the motivation and positive attitudes of these young people were truly inspiring and made us return. However, second time wasn’t like the first time. Service was still excellent but food was a bit lacking. Two years ago we were served local vegetables and dishes. This time round there were a lot of raw carrots and some nappa cabbages. Apparently the school's vegetable garden wasn’t running due to low season. But there are young fern tips, pumpkin shoots, cassava leaves, kangkong in the market! I understand that the school is located in a dense greenery but I think a bit of mosquito control strategies need to be employed. There was mosquito incense and net at night but that barely helped. After 4 nights I got a bit tired of my itchiness. I would really like to continue my support to the school as I love seeing the enthusiastic students. But I don’t know… I am a bit conflicted.

The experience is just mind blowing seeing these young students delivering a first class service in continuous pursuit of perfection.a huge respect and thanks to them .Inge, I have worked with several fortune 500 ceos but none of them have impressed me as much as you did by your pragmatic vision of usefulness to the young population of sumba.this is a beautiful and beneficial accomplishment with lots of humility and determination.