Hi, guys! Today, let me share my review of AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo. It’s a 5-star hotel with an amazing view, if you want to treat yourself after the exhausting komodo day trip ππβοΈ
When I went to Bali for the first time, I only had a small budget. But luckily, at that time, ringgit was very strong against rupiah, so I could book a spa session at AYANA Bali.
The spa session came with a free entry + drink + snack at the Rock Bar. I had to use an elevator to go down and reach the bar because it was on top of a cliff!
Ten years later, I have a stable (and fulfilling) job. I wanted to make my dream come true, so I extended my stay in Labuan Bajo for one night at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach.
Moreover, I would be staying with my mom and sister, so I felt the experience would be worth it.
Still, the cheapest room that I booked there was the most expensive hotel room I’d ever paid for (my sister chipped in too)πΈπΈπΈ
Alright, before we go deeper into the review. AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach and some 5-star hotels are located in the same row:
- Meruorah Komodo Labuan Bajo
- Katamaran Hotel & Resort Komodo
- TAβAKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa (by Marriott)
Labuan Bajo is a small city. From my hotel to the airport took around 15 minutes, and the taxi cost 100k rupiah (around RM26 / 6 USD).
Can I Order GrabFood to AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo?
Ok I know this is a cheeky question, but it crossed my mind.
This was what happened when you had a small budget but wanted to experience staying at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo πππ
I was thinking of ordering GrabFood only for lunch, and having dinner at the hotel since the food at 5-star hotels is pricey. Moreover, there was no restaurant or cafe along the hotel road.
If you want to do the same, sadly, you can’t.
AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo, has a gate that is guarded by a security guard. He will ask your driver the reason for entering the hotel before opening the gate.
So, no, you can’t order GrabFood to the hotel. The guard won’t let the riders in! Also, the hotel itself has stated some rules, including no GrabFood.
If you want to stay here, make sure you allocate extra budget for lunch and dinner.
Or you can eat more during breakfast and go to a supermarket to buy some snacks and drinks before checking in at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach Labuan Bajo, like we did π
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Take Your Time Sipping the Welcome Drink and Enjoy the Stunning View
We arrived at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo, at around 12pm. We knew that it was way early before the check-in time, but we intentionally came early to explore the hotel.
When checking in, the reception staff gave us a sweet surprise – they upgraded our room from Ocean View to Deluxe Ocean View room! Thank you, AYANA!
While waiting for them to prepare our room, we sipped our welcome drink and enjoyed the view. AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo, has a stunning view! β¨β¨β¨
Be it relaxing, reading a book, or having some drinks at the lounge, you can enjoy the view. There’s no AC, but you won’t feel hot at all thanks to the high ceiling and no windows.
Afterwards, you can take some photos as memorabilia π€³π πΈ
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Surprise, Surprise… at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo!
Not long after my mom helped me take some photos, a staff member approached us and said that our room was ready. It was earlier than expected! Yaaay!
When we entered, the AC had been turned on for some time, so the room was cool. The interior design was elegant, simple, and inspired by the sea.
What surprised us the most was the cute, komodo-shaped towel on the bed! Aaaw, the hotel staff who did this should get a pay rise!
CLARA10
When I checked out the bathroom, there was another surprise: a bath bomb!
Maybe it was because I seldom stay at 5-star hotels, but I doubt every 5-star hotel gives a bath bomb to their guest.
Plus, I don’t have a bathtub at home, so I was excited to try the bath bomb. My mom and sister said I could have it, as I was the one who planned our Flores trip. Yaaay! β¨β¨β¨
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Join Some Complimentary Activities at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo
There are some complimentary activities that guests can enjoy at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo. But remember, you need to download the app and book the activities that you want.
My sister, mom, and I went for a tour of AYANA Lako di’a. It’s a 54-meter phinisi traditional yacht by AYANA. At that time, nobody rented the yacht, so the hotel guests could check it out.
Since the yacht floated quite a distance from the hotel, we and two couples had to board a small speedboat to reach AYANA Lako di’a.
Afterwards, mom and sister went for the stand-up paddleboard and kayaking. Meanwhile, I lazed around in my hotel room, had some snacks and tea, and contemplated whether I should join the boxing class.
Finally, I decided to go for it and arrived unannounced. If they refuse me, I could do weightlifting (my gloves were ready).
The gym staff, Nurdin and Gilang, were friendly and professional. They allowed me to join the kickboxing class, but I had to wait for 30 minutes in case some guests who booked their slot showed up.
Apparently, I was the only participant.
So, we started the kickboxing session, with Gilang as the coach. Luckily, I’ve been joining Bodycombat class for many years, so I was used to it.
Punching with and without gloves felt different! The gloves were quite too big for me, and I could feel the pain with every punch. Gilang said my punches were powerful.
No wonder my hands were black and blue afterwards! That was only 30 minutes π π π
Me: “What happened to those professional boxers?” π³
Gilang: “Their hands bleed…” π
Nurdin: “Miss, you can go to the bar and ask for some ice for your hands.” π
CLARA10
And so I did! The bar staff were very kind, they gave me a small towel and a glass of ice.
When I returned to my room, my mom and sister had taken their shower and were waiting for me. I quickly took a bath with my bath bomb and changed my clothes.
Alright, it’s time for dinner! π π π
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Enjoy Romantic Beach Dinner and Live Music at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo
My mom said she didn’t like the swimming pool at the hotel. I guess because the pool was in the middle (between the gym and bar), so there was no privacy or serenity.
However, our dinner experience at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo, was great. By the time we arrived, the live music was almost done.
But it was okay! We managed to enjoy the live music for some time before the session ended.
The restaurant at the beach serves seafood, while the restaurant at the top serves international food. However, if you want to sit at the beach and order international food, you can.
For couples, you can enjoy a candlelight dinner or float on your own private deck. One of the newlywed couples who joined us for AYANA Lako di’a tour did it!
We decided to eat at the international restaurant to avoid the smoke (they grill fresh seafood at the beach). Our lamb shanks and grilled ribs were very delicious π π π
The best thing that we witnessed during dinner at AYANA Komodo? The restaurant staff were super helpful and friendly with the guests, especially children!
There was a staff member who accompanied a guest’s daughter while her mother was enjoying her dinner with her friends.
The little girl felt bored, so the staff member brought her around the restaurant, carried her on his back when she was tired, and comforted her when she felt sleepy. Aaaw, so cute! πΈπΈπΈ
After the dinner, my mom and I walked to the pier to check out the bar and explored the hotel at night for a while. This way, we wouldn’t feel so full when we sleep.
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Breakfast at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo: So Many Things to Eat, But…
If you’ve been following my blog, you’d know that I tell it as it is.
In my humble opinion, I feel the buffet breakfast at AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo, is just okay. To be honest, taste-wise, I feel it didn’t meet the 5-star hotel standard.
Sure, there are so many things to eat and drink at the buffet breakfast, and I’m sure the hotel uses high-quality ingredients. But sorry to say, they taste so-so only.
The good part:
- The restaurant is spacious, with indoor and outdoor seating
- There are various sambals
- They have a wide food and drink selection, including martabak and jamu (Indonesian traditional snack and herbal medicine drink)
- The staff are friendly, courteous, and attentive (will take away your dirty plate and cups, take initiative to refill your coffee/tea, etc)
The just okay part:
- The food tastes just okay, so-so
- Can’t smell/taste the butter in the pastries
- No mini oven to reheat the pastries, so they are cold
- Some selections aren’t appealing
Honestly, we were disappointed with the breakfast. We were looking forward to it!
I even wrote the same feedback in my review, and the hotel staff replied that they will relay the message to the culinary team πππ
I guess Malaysia has pampered me with lots of nice food for many years… I mean, in KL, I can get buttery pastries easily. And the prices are reasonable.
For example, I like the buttery croissants from Verrona, which are made with French butter. Then, there are also various cookie shops with nice, buttery smell and taste in KL…
And don’t forget butter kaya toast that’s available at kopitiam! Everything’s buttery and rich in flavour. That’s why I had the same expectation for a 5-star hotel.
However, this is my personal opinion, guys… My taste buds may differ from yours π
Alright, that’s my hotel review of AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo. I hope you enjoy reading this blog post and have a nice day! βοΈ βοΈ βοΈ
CLARA10
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