This is very special place which trains young locals in hospitality, partly due to a lack of higher education and career opportunities and partly to help boost the island’s prospects and preparedness for more tourism in the future. It is authentic, charming and extremely professional. The staff are wonderful and the trainees are delightful. All inclusive meals (a la carte for breakfast and lunch and a daily changing set menu), a wonderful turn down service, beautiful rooms, an expansive and peaceful site, free laundry service and carefully planned day trips are some of the highlights. Value for money is excellent. Many of the properties on Sumba are eye wateringly expensive! We were made to feel extremely welcome, we were beautifully looked after and it was a memorable stay. (6 nights).

Some of the food is a bit inconsistent at dinner time which has a set menu not published beforehand. But generally very good. The swimming pool is a tad underwhelming but still very nice. WiFi at times not strong in the rooms. Breakfast is very early! 6.30-8am. There’s a very good reason (the students need to start lessons) but it feels a bit jarring with holiday lie ins at times! Nothing to do with the property, but Sumba is huge and getting around takes time, so plan well and don’t rush it. There is nothing in the vicinity in terms of shops or restaurants or bars- same can be said for the whole island- so bring your own entertainment!

We had a great time at Maringi Sumba where we spent 3 nights: - Accommodation: we stayed in a beautiful bamboo pavilion that had everything you need; the cleaning team came twice a day and made sure the room is tidy and spotless; we appreciated the complimentary laundry service since we had a 3 week vacation in Indonesia - Staff: welcoming, friendly, polite, paying attention to small details, remembering our names, explaining the facilities, activities, etc, they were the highlight of our stay, especially Alice who was our guide - Communication: smooth, fast and professional via WhatsApp, helped with booking trips for us and with any inquiry we had - Food: high quality products, home made, tasty, a great variety of choices, we enjoyed every meal - Trips: we did 2 tours through Maringi (Lamboya and Marapu) both were good to learn more about the island and the culture; we had a student with us(without a tour guide) during both trips and we felt that the information provided was very minimal, we were expecting more details about the culture/island/traditions etc, not sure if it’s the students’ job to know this, maybe consider having a professional guide instead or train the students for this purpose which will add great value. The restaurant included in the Marapu tour was disappointing, no appetizer, no dessert, no drinks, and portion was too small for two people. We missed the hotel’s food which was far better. The prices on the brochure were not accurate, please make sure you list the correct price/ person and not per group. - Location: quiet location, not far from the airport, we enjoyed the pool, the yoga class and the rest of the facilities (pool), the only downside is the lack of beach access but we didn’t mind since we booked tours to explore the island - Overall: great quality for the price, attentive staff, hopefully we will return back soon to Sumba to explore even more, thank you for making our stay memorable!

Maringi Sumba is more than just a beautiful eco-resort — it’s a place where your holiday directly supports local youth through the Sumba Hospitality Foundation. The staff, many of whom are students, were warm, professional, and truly inspiring. Our room was thoughtfully designed using sustainable materials, offering the perfect balance of comfort and simplicity. The gardens were serene, the food was fresh and locally sourced, and we loved their signature non-alcoholic Sumba Beer! What made the stay truly special was learning how the foundation empowers the local community. It added such depth and meaning to our visit. Highly recommended for anyone who values authentic travel experiences and wants to make a positive impact while enjoying a peaceful island retreat.

Beautifully peaceful! The staff were so friendly and helpful. The food was delicious and service was exceptional. After 3 days we felt very at home :) we visited the nearby beaches - stunning white sand. We did a tour of the village which was very informative and we loved seeing the local life. Eka was our guide, along with Dini, and both were amazing to spend the day with, we loved their sharing of Sumba knowledge and history. We even forgot something when we left and they drove it to us. This was not only lovely accommodation but a super enriching experience that we will never forget. Thank you!

The only thing that could be improved is the air con!

Founded on a meaningful cause, we love how Maringi Sumba is a teaching school and training hub for the locals going into hospitality. You get staff who are professional, and eager to provide excellent service. Hotel is close to the airport, airport pick up is provided, it is located in a private area so getting on full board is needed. We love that there are tours (additional cost) with knowledgeable guides to show us the beauty of Sumba, and we love that there is a farm growing our meals. What stood out is the impressive staff, we have learnt so much about Sumba’s culture through our guest captain! Great way to start our trip! Highly recommend.

We were well taken care of! Nothing we did not like. :-)

The property was beautiful and all the architecture was made out of bamboo. Everything was made so that it is an eco friendly resort. The staff were so sweet and it’s a training school for them so all the money goes to help their eduction in the hotel service industry. I loved that concept about the hotel. The food was amazing and fresh because it came from their gardens. I loved everything about this place and would come again to support this organisation if I come back to Sumba.

That the shower water never got hot.

My stay at Maringi was an exceptionally beautiful and deeply touching experience. This is pure philanthropy in action . A place where education is given to children from underdeveloped island with love, dignity, and joy. I cried the first night, overwhelmed by the beauty and purpose of it all. The food was delicious, the service truly five-star, and the entire stay left me inspired.

Everything was perfect!

food was fine dining - did not expect that. The staff are incredibly proactive, positive, and a happy bunch to be around - a lovely atmosphere!

Wld be good to be able to buy dried fruit or nuts etc from the honor bar. When kitchen is closed it is slim pickings to be able to eat anything....there is nothing outside the hotel to buy (zero stores).

We loved the concept of this foundation. A place for locals to get professional training in hospitality sector and for guests, a proper comfortable stay in Sumba.

One of the night, there was late night party, till 1 am or something, in a nearby home or property. It was difficult to sleep with such loud music that night. I hope the neighbors will understand the importance of this foundation and respect quiet hours for the surrounding.

We absolutely LOVED it here! The Sumba Hospitality Fund initiative is so wonderful, and the students went above and beyond to take care of us and make our stay very special. The rooms are very unique and the food ans drinks are all delicious (a lot grown in their own farm) and food included in the price. The outdoor bathroom is super cool. We really really recommend everyone to stay here. Thank you so much Maringi!

There wasn’t anything we didn’t like about the property.