We had the best time at Palambak and extended our stay the longest possible to at least 2 weeks as we won’t find an paradise like this again. The bungalows are beautiful located with sea view, clean and well equipped with everything you need to relax on your big terace (chairs and hammock) and have a huge mosquito net, mosquito coil and a electronic mosquito raket. Make sure to bring your repellent and long clothes to stay at beach when it’s getting dark and you are fine :) The shared bathrooms come with a Western Toilet and a Basket shower- they are cleaned very well everyday. The staff will care for you the whole day with everything you need and will cook delicious food 3 times a day! It was amazing to stay with them! We had fresh fish, we cooked with them and there was a bonfire at the beach one day. The Beach is beautiful (staff clean it everyday right in the morning because there is of course some trash coming from the main island from time to time) and you can walk around the island in about 2,5-3 hours. And last but not least there is the Manager Claudine who is organising everything perfectly and fast via WhatsApp with you to make sure you really have the best stay! Make sure to not miss this beautiful paradise :) we hope to come back on day!

Cute huts at a lovely and clean beach! We extended our stay for 2 more days and almost everyone we stayed on the island did 😂 it is a real calm and relaxing holiday with homecooked food and an island almost to yourself! Just prepare yourself to wait for the food because there is only one (good) cook ;) The organization is very good and easy with the owner Claudine. Three cute chickens and a cat was there as well, very cute athmosphere!

Only be aware that the island is a long journey with ferry, wood boat or speedboat and that the small boat or speedboat to the island itself is quite expensive, 250k per person and even we shared the speedboat back we almost payed one million. But in my opinion it is worth it!!

This is perfect for anyone wishing to get off the beaten track and experience back to basics (with a level of comfort) experience on a deserted island. When we visited there was just the 2 of us and 3 members of helpful staff. Claudine the owner is great and organised all transfers. Totally recommend the speedboat option to get there. Expensive but worth it. Things to note for anyone wanting to experience this deserted paradise island. Food is served 3 times a day and is fairly basic but tasty. No choices and you are given what is cooked but we were fine with that. No electricity except for 5 hours in the evening which makes the nights very hot and sweaty. Again we were ok with that as we had read the reviews. Definitely recommend the island hopping day trip. Caught our own fish which was served for dinner. We stayed for 3 nights and loved every second.

No shower to speak of but just washed in the sea every day

What a great experience! We spent 4 nights and we were hesitating since my wife and I are always looking for something to do but we didn’t get bored. Lot of activities and exploring to do on the island, with a feeling of being alone on the island sometimes. Both MB Camp and MB Palambak island were great. I believe the price/experience ratio is very good. Don’t expect luxury but that’s not what it pretends to be. Things work as it should and is well organized, staff is super nice and actually spoke decent English (saw some reviews from the past which says they did not). Food is amazing and very rich. And finally big heads up to Claudine, who is ultra responsive, striving for guests wellbeing. We had a small issue at the end of the trip which was solved in 5mn. Also don’t worry about bringing enough cash because everything is cashless. Big thanks for this amazing experience

Our stay at Palambak Resort was an unforgettable experience and we loved every moment of it. We were the only people on the island with two staff members, who made sure we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. We booked the bungalow for 4 nights and I was a bit worried that I'll get bored, but there were plenty of things to do - we kayaked around the island, walked around it, we watched turtles, crabs, passing birds and sunsets and sunrises. We read, slept and chilled and played games which were free to borrow from the reception. We also went on an island hopping tour, which is more of a snorkeling tour, and saw lots of beautiful fishes (bring SPF 50 sunscreen or wear shorts and long sleeves when snorkeling - we burned our backs off despite reaplying SPF 30). Yes - it was hot at night, yes - the generator was a bit loud and yes - the electricity and hence the fan wasn't available throughout the night, but...It's not Maldives, it's an uninhabited island, so don't expect luxury - if you love some quiet life, this place will be great for you. We had no issues with mosquitoes, the food was plenty and absolutely amazing (a choice of breakfast and a freshly caught fish or chicken with rice and veggies for lunch and dinner; every meal came with fruit). The owner Claudine was super caring and helped us organise everything, including transport to/from the island and the island hopping tour.

An amazing place worth traveling thousands of miles for. A secluded island where you can feel like Robinson Crusoe. Beautiful turquoise sea, sandy beach, and coral reefs with colorful fish. The hotel food is delicious and varied, and even though the staff doesn’t speak English, they are always helpful, kind, and friendly, making you feel like you’re visiting friends. I highly recommend staying at MB Palambak Island Resort and enjoying the island!

Just as a suggestion, you could leave an umbrella in the bungalow so guests can comfortably go to the shower or toilet in the rain.

We had such a great time here. The staff were brilliant and the Australian-Indonesian owner, Claudine, was so responsive and helpful and catered to our every need even sorting out our airfares from Singkil in advance for us! The chalets were great (we had one for us and one for our kids) and the place never seemed crowded. The sea outside is the clearest I have ever seen and the snorkeling trip we organised was amazing. Loved it here and could have easily spent an extra week! Ask Claudine for any additional needs - we ordered 4 lobsters for 35 euros per kilo!

Some days the breakfast was a little slow but it is an island after all! There is no hot water but that didn’t bother us!

Everything, I repeat, everything (resort, team, food, organisation, cleanliness) is fabulous. The island itself is a true paradise: peace, relax, exceptional sea. But a special ingredient is added to all this. The owner Claudine (even remotely) is always present: she helps, solves, simplifies. And she coordinates a team of exceptional workers: always smiling, available and ready at all times to make you feel good. Honestly, I have taken many holidays around the world (with my husband and two little girls) but I have never met such an efficient owner and such loving and attentive staff (never intrusive, but always present). The resort in general is a small pearl in a unique place in the world. But the entire MB staff manages to turn a beautiful holiday into a unique experience. Score 10 and praise, not being able to give more!

We just loved everything about this place! The beach, the palm trees and the clear waters of the deep blue sea are picture perfect everywhere around the island. Our beautiful wooden bungalow was nice and basic - but with all most important necessities - and well maintained, with an attractive veranda with two lovely wicker armchairs, a table and a hammock. It was wonderfully relaxing to spend time here reading or just staring at the sea… The MB Palambak Island Resort has only eight bungalows, all identically designed and in good shape. The four shared bathrooms/toilets are spotlessly clean and well looked after too. The resort is currently one of only two places to stay on the island. There are no settlements or villages, which enhances the Robinson Crusoe feeling. Communal meals are prepared in the central restaurant shack and served at the big tables outside on the veranda (or inside when it’s raining). Before arrival you’ll be asked if you have any food preferences - vegetarian/fish/chicken - and the cook matches your desires. Every day the menu was a surprise, but it was always delicious and with great variety. We didn't have the same dish once during the four days we stayed here. Kayaks and snorkeling gear are free available for guests. However, the underwater world around Pulau Palambak is not the most beautiful in the Banyak Islands; for that you‘re better off going to Tailana or Tambarat. Boat trips can be arranged at reasonable costs. The sand in front of the resort is cleaned daily by the staff (possibly together with volunteering guests). Staff is super friendly and helpful. Essential communication takes place by e-mail and WhatsApp via Mrs Claudine, the great organizational talent behind the scenes. She can also arrange your boat transport from/to the mainland. The MB Camp in Singkil has the same owner as the MB Palambak Island Resort. Direct speedboats can be arranged between both places if required.

I have never found any host as responsive and helpful as Claudine, anywhere that I have stayed - quite exceptional. MB Palambak is on a perfect beach with unbelievably clear turquoise waters. We found the staff really helpful and although communication was by Google translate, we somehow felt quite affectionate towards them by the end of our stay, especially having played games with them for Indonesian Independence Day. The mattresses were very comfortable too.

I couldn't say I didn't like anything about MB Palambak in particular, but wanted to use this space to say to other people visiting the Banyaks, who are prone to skin burn, bring lots of factor 50 as the sun is very strong and also bring lots of strong insect repellent.