Amanwana

The Moyo Island resort of Amanwana (meaning peaceful forest) is the only resort on the Indonesian island of Moyo, a nature and marine reserve 15 kilometers off the coast of Sumbawa, east of Bali. Surrounded by the turquoise waters and untouched reefs of the Flores Sea, the island is 350 square kilometers with vegetation ranging from savanna to tropical jungle. It is blessed with a variety of animal and bird life, from deer to wild boar, macaque monkeys, sea eagles and osprey.

Amanwana tents are not walled off from the rest of the island, which is also a protected deer sanctuary for the indigenous Rusa Deer. It's deer breeding program has ensured the steady increase in numbers of these shy creatures which can be spotted in the reserve.

The Dining Room and Bar are located in an open-air pavilion with a soaring 15-meter roof made of bamboo. Indonesian hardwood flooring and solid coconut pillars support the tropical structure which looks out over Amanwana Bay. A daily menu of Asian and Western food is served at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Romantic campfire dinners on the beach and starlight cruises can be arranged. Drinks can be taken at the teak-top bar or in the comfy loungers adjacent to the dining area.

Located at the far end of the camp, a few metres from the shoreline, the Music Pavilion is an open-air forest sanctuary where guests can listen to music from an iPod station on cushions and loungers, enjoy picnics, afternoon tea or sunset cocktails.

Amanwana's Library specializes in books on Indonesian art and culture, and also features a wide range of books on marine life.

Snorkeling equipment, windsurfers and kayaks are available from the thatched-roof bale close to the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk itself is furnished with sun-loungers and shade umbrellas. A freshwater dipping pool is set against a wall of coral rock and a shower is set into the cliff face.

A variety of superb dive spots are easily accessible from Amanwana. Guests can organize their underwater program at the Dive Center, which also offers a complete range of diving equipment.

The open-air Jungle Cove Spa is set just back from the beach beneath a roof of shady tamarind trees. Simple coral stone walls divide the outdoor spa into three treatment areas, each with a recessed soaking tub and a shower. All three boast views of Amanwana Bay. Treatments include massages, freshfruit facials and black Borneo body scrubs.

The camp's 20 luxury tents are set under a canopy of tropical forest. Each 58-square-meter tent is constructed on a solid foundation from which rise wooden walls with large picture windows. The canvas ceilings are covered with a separate, waterproof exterior layer. Coral stone surrounds the hard wood deck of each tent. Inside, the air-conditioned tents feature Indonesian island artwork, hard wood flooring, a spacious sitting area with facing divans, a king-size bed, a writing desk and a large bathroom.

Sand paths link the tents to one another and lead to the beach, the dining room and reception. The tents are identical the only difference between the two categories is location - ocean tent for beach settings or jungle tents.