Wakatobi Bungalows are a personal haven of relaxation and rest

Imagine a place where your wake-up call is birdsongs and the gentle rustling of palm fronds in a sea breeze, and your morning ritual begins with coffee and freshly baked croissants enjoyed on an ocean-view verandah. Those moments and much more come standard with a stay in the Bungalows at Wakatobi Resort.

A natural expansion

The addition of the Bungalows represents one of the most significant milestones in the resort’s evolution from a remote dive lodge into a world-class destination for divers, snorkelers, and water lovers.

Enjoy a morning coffee from the verandah of your Ocean Bungalow or on a lounge just a few steps from your door. Photo by Didi Lotze

Just a few years after opening Wakatobi as a single-structure dive lodge in a remote corner of Indonesia, it was apparent that more guest accommodation would be needed. Rather than expand the lodge, or clear the surrounding palms to create a multi-story hotel, we decided to go out rather than up.

Local craftsmen were hired to create a pair of stand-alone structures. These traditional craftsmen made use of locally sourced native stone and wood to fashion structures with a distinctive regional style. Each included a sheltered front porch, which is one of the distinguishing features of Bungalow architecture.

Rich hardwoods, seen here in our recently added two-bedroom Turtle Beach Bungalow, create a warm, welcoming feeling. Photo by Didi Lotze

Inside, rich hardwoods were used to create a sense of warmth and welcome, while vaulted ceilings were finished in traditional thatch coverings. Hand-crafted furnishings include luxurious canopy beds with cotton gauze netting, with arrangements to accommodate couples in one bed, a pair of traveling companions in two, or even a third bed for family groups.

Guest favorites

The Bungalows were an immediate favorite with guests, and over the next decade, more were built, expanding along the beach to either side of the central Longhouse. The second generation of Bungalows included added amenities such as air conditioning, minibars, coffee services, outdoor showers, and enlarged verandahs. Through the years, all Bungalows have continued to receive upgrades, and there are now 24 of these picturesque dwellings including four recently built Turtle Beach Bungalows with large beachfront and ocean views at the southern end of the resort.

Discover Bungalow life for yourself with this short video, which showcases Wakatobi’s iconic accommodations. It’s the next best thing to being there.

Personal touches

Though they are positioned to evoke a sense of quiet privacy, Wakatobi’s Bungalows are actually just a short walk away on landscaped paths from the resort’s oceanfront restaurant, longhouse, dive center, spa, and other facilities. But should you feel like staying in, meals and services can come your way. On request, the staff will bring breakfast to your Bungalow, or arrange for a private dinner on your verandah. You can enjoy a massage in the privacy of your room, and families traveling with young children can leave their young ones in the safe and attentive care of our nannies.

Ready to escape the every day for the relaxation of a Wakatobi Bungalow? Contact us at office@wakatobi.com or complete a quick trip inquiry at wakatobi.com. A guest experience representative will be in touch with you to answer any questions and help plan your visit.

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