La Collection has welcomed a new destination to its luxury property representation with the addition of Cap Karoso, a brand-new retreat on the island of Sumba in Indonesia.
With its stable of hotels and resorts across Europe, the Greek Islands and most recently Australia, Indonesia was not initially on the scope for La Collection until Director Craig Farrell learned of the resort’s ethos and unique positioning in the market, and saw a perfect brand alignment.
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Speaking exclusively with LATTE in mid-January about the upcoming addition of Cap Karoso, Farrell – who teased of the imminent Indonesian announcement on social media earlier this week – said he felt an immediate connection with the property based on his past experience at Ponant and its expedition program that included visits to Sumba.
Sitting on the shores of a coral reef and surrounded by turquoise lagoons and traditional villages, Cap Karoso is a luxe launchpad for exploring the Indonesian island of Sumba. The property offers 47 rooms and 20 villas with a strong focus on Sumbanese heritage. At the resort, age-old craft and contemporary art and design come together to tell the story of the island.
Sumba is home to indigenous art, megalithic tombs, and traditional houses with soaring 25-metre-high roofs that form a bridge to the spirit world – part of worship that honours nature and ancestral authority.
Founded by Fabrice and Evguenia (Eve) Ivara, two globe-trotting, ethically-minded French adventurers, the couple are confident that Australian and New Zealand travellers will love what they discover on the island.
“The unique combination that we are creating is immersion into the islands’ life during the day – visits of the villages, discovery of its natural treasures, visiting craft ateliers blended with a switch after sunset,” said Eve Ivara.
“We want guests to experience the lively and sophisticated vibe after sunset; a cocktail in hand by one of the world’s best mixologists (Nico de Soto) listening to a leading DJ, a dinner by our acclaimed chef Antoine Levacon or experiencing one of our chefs in residency at our exclusive dinner-only Julang restaurant.”
Cap Karoso invites guests to also discover the local culture and traditions with the help of the Sumbanese communities. Other adventures can be found on water (swin or snorkel in the calm Karoso lagoon, catch the perfect wave in Pero, fish with the locals). And on land, guests are also spoiled for choice (hike, bike, or take off in an electric car to explore a landscape diverse enough to include both tropical forests and savanna – waterfalls and dry plains).
Farrell said he is excited by the addition of Cap Karoso.
“Coming from my background in Luxury Expeditions, I was familiar with Sumba and the unique traditions of the local people. Cap Karoso is a place for true explorers, the ultimate launchpad to discover the island. And travellers who prefer to completely switch off and spend their days by an idyllic turquoise lagoon, and nights meeting like-minded travellers while enjoying world class cuisine, will be just as much at home at Cap Karoso.”
Sumba Island is an hour’s flight from Bali, with daily flights out of Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. Once in Sumba, Cap Karoso is a 40-minute drive from Tambolaka Airport.
A direct flight from Tambolaka airport to Labuan Bajo (Flores) operates three times per week, which allows travellers to explore both islands in one trip.
Cap Karoso will welcome its first guests on 20 March 2023, with rates from US$225 per room per night. See capkaroso.com.
La Collection is an Australian-based representation company, headed by Lea Seguier and Craig Farrell and is a Preferred partner of Virtuoso. To view the full suite of properties within La Collection’s stable, go to the recently launched dedicated website, lacollection.travel/