Bawah Island Anambas Islands, Indonesia
Opened
2018
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe ResortOutside the door
Hand-built island reserve
Six protected islands make up this remote conservation reserve, where solar-powered living and daily lagoon excursions replace typical resort routines.
“the villas, restaurant, and three bars here blend into the tree canopies, as if woven into the landscape.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Hand-built bamboo pavilions and overwater suites with hammered copper tubs and reclaimed teak.
Remarkable
Personal hosts manage every excursion, with a daily massage included for each guest.
Remarkable
Six private islands and three sheltered lagoons explored by catamaran or guided hikes.
What they say
UK Readers' Choice Awards – Asia
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
Also in The 50 Discovery, Wallpaper* and AFAR.
For principled eco credentials and a sense of lost world remoteness, there’s nowhere like Bawah.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Forest trails once cut by sailors climb to rocky lookouts, and three sheltered lagoons surround the uninhabited islands.
The rooms
Overwater bungalows sit on stilts with hammered copper tubs, and private stairs lead straight down into the coral lagoon.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The 22-meter half-moon freshwater pool curves along the shoreline, looking across the lagoon toward the jetty.
The spa
Open-air pavilions overlook the lagoon, and the contrast therapy suite has an 82°C sauna and cold plunge pool.
The yoga deck
The open-air bamboo deck hosts twice-daily classes in yoga, breathwork, and Pilates above the lagoon.
At the table
Tree Tops serves garden-grown dishes under vaulted bamboo, and The Boat House cooks wood-fired pizzas on the sand.
Set in seclusion some 160 miles from Singapore, the far-flung resort spans six tropical islands spliced by three protected lagoons.
How it began
Shipping magnate Tim Hartnoll dropped anchor here in 2006, creating the reserve to restore reefs damaged by dynamite fishing.
“the resort comprises six private islands, a dozen beaches and three lagoons – the whole, beautifully anchored by Singapore-based architect Sim Boon Yang’s austere white tented suites”
Good to know
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Bawah Reserve
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.