SAVU South Alor — Hotel in Alor Island

Our 11-night stay at Savu South Alor was nothing short of memorable — not just for the stunning setting and world-class diving/snorkeling, but for the deep care, thoughtfulness, and authenticity of the team who made our experience so special.

Early in our trip, my partner became unwell. The Savu team went above and beyond: arranging for someone to travel to the mainland to source medication, adapting meals on the fly to be light and nourishing, and even serving aloe vera juice before meals to soothe her digestion. Thanks to their kindness, we were able to stay for the full duration when we had nearly considered leaving for medical treatment.

The hospitality here feels sincere and grounded. The kitchen and wait staff were especially attentive — not in an overly formal way, but with quiet care and genuine warmth. For example, once they noticed my partner liked kecap asin (light soy sauce) with her rice, it appeared at every meal without her needing to ask. Those small, thoughtful details made us feel truly seen and cared for.

Savu’s Pure Oceanic Passion philosophy is evident in every aspect of the resort: eco-friendly toiletries, reef-safe sunscreen, and a zero food waste commitment. Meals were consistently excellent — fresh, healthy, and satisfying — with the kitchen always happy to offer more if portions felt small. Sustainability here enhances, rather than compromises, the dining experience.

We stayed in a pool villa, which offered breathtaking sunsets and a strong sense of privacy. The bathrooms have no windows — something I loved for the fresh ocean air and immersive views, though it does mean sharing your space with geckos and the occasional insect. We didn’t mind, but you might spot the occasional dropping in the bathroom (or even bedroom). The early-morning fishing boats (around 4:30–5:00 AM) can be surprisingly loud — almost like helicopters passing overhead — so light sleepers may want earplugs.

Diving was absolutely spectacular, and even though my partner only snorkels, she still had a wonderful time exploring the vibrant reef life. Snorkellers should note: charges are per snorkel (USD 40), not per boat trip, and each outing usually includes two sites. You can decide at the site whether to get in the water. If you’re cold, tired, or the current looks too strong, skip the second site and you won’t be charged. We learned this the hard way after getting into choppy waters for a short while, becoming seasick, and still being charged despite minimal time in the water. The house reef is free to explore without a guide, but currents can be strong, exits tricky, and you’ll need to be a confident swimmer — I picked up a few scratches navigating it. The team informed us they could arrange a boat pickup but we didn’t opt for that, less strong swimmers should definitely take them up on that offer!

A few small notes for future guests: snorkelling gear rental is an additional daily charge, and villas don’t provide robes. Neither was a major issue for us, but worth knowing in advance.

Savu isn’t inexpensive, but you’re paying for a pristine location, intimate setting, and a kind of hospitality that’s increasingly rare: thoughtful, personal, and deeply connected to its values. We left feeling both recharged and cared for — a rare and beautiful...

Our stay at Savu South Alor Resort was truly. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the stunning setup of the resort. Located at a beautiful white sandy beach with an amazing view, the resort is a perfect blend of luxury and tranquility. The attention to detail in the design and decor is evident everywhere you look, creating an atmosphere that is both elegant and relaxed.||One of the highlights of our stay was the great diving. Alor offers a true paradise for underwater photographers and videographers with a diverse and vibrant marine life. Whether you’re capturing the intricate details of tiny critters with a macro lens or the breathtaking beauty of larger marine species with a wide-angle, the dive sites offer many opportunities for stunning footage but also to just watch and enjoy. The dive conditions are well-suited for those who enjoy a bit of variety, with currents and temperatures that can add an extra layer of adventure to each dive but even beginners get the chance to explore Alor. The diving team ensures that every dive is both safe and memorable.||After a day of capturing the underwater wonders, the resort’s great Pool and Spa were the perfect place for us to unwind. Offering a range of treatments in a serene setting, the Spa experience left us feeling completely rejuvenated and the sunsets reflected in the pool are just breathtaking.||The culinary experience at Savu South Alor is also really good, especially considering the resort’s remote location. We were delighted by the great variety of delicious food, each dish prepared to appeal to both the eyes and taste buds. The use of organically homegrown fruits and vegetables adds a fresh and flavorful touch to every meal and the beautiful presentations of hibiscus, moringa and butterfly pea tea were a feast for the senses, offering vibrant colors and refreshing flavors that perfectly complemented the meals.||What truly sets Savu South Alor apart is the warm and personal touch provided by Lilly and Johannes. Their passion for the resort is evident in every aspect of its operation, from the beautifully curated spaces to the thoughtful little details that make your stay special. They go above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels at home and you feel as if you are visiting friends who happened to create a little paradise with a lot of hard work and love.||The entire staff at Savu South Alor deserves special mention as well. Always friendly and eager to assist, they contributed significantly to making our stay comfortable and enjoyable. Whether it was arranging the diving, catering to our dining preferences, or simply offering a warm smile, the staff’s commitment to excellent service was apparent throughout our stay.||In conclusion, Savu South Alor Resort is a gem in Alor. The combination of its breathtaking location, diverse diving opportunities, beautiful Pool & Spa and the personal touch of Lilly, Johannes, and their incredible team, makes it a must-visit destination. We can’t wait to return!||Thanks to all of you for these...

Off the beaten track, you need to be committed to get to Savu South Alor. Your efforts will be highly rewarded. If you want to see amazing biodiversity underwater, ranging from cetaceans, sharks, scorpionfish to pygmy seahorses and oh so many corals and sponges, both underwater and on shore, this place is incredible. It sits on the southwest tip of Alor Island, looking due west, making for incredible sunsets and easy access to many diving opportunities. Stay a week and you will wish you had booked for three.||The resort is new (opened in 2022) and small, with five beach cottages and two cliff villas, run by Johannes and Lillian, a lovely Swiss-German couple with years of experience in guiding divers throughout Indonesia. Savu has a beautiful layout, with thoughtful and tasteful design and conveniences. One small example -universal travel plugs on both bedside tables. They have a large dedicated on-site permaculture garden that enhanced the lovely super fresh and delicious meals. Dining was communal at dinner with the other guests during our visit from England, Germany and Switzerland. ||Savu is for experienced divers. My wife, who completed her 30th dive at SAVU, was able to stick to low-current sites. She had super personalized instruction from Johannes (owner and very experienced dive instructor) on several consecutive days and her skills and confidence improved substantially. If you are comfortable with more advanced diving, there are over 70 nearby sites that extend the experience. The diving experience with small number of divers (usually six of us, with two guides) was calm and easy, with lots of help. The simple things, like getting fins and BCD and tanks on and off, and getting out of the water, were made very easy by the well-trained and attentive (and always cheerful) boat crew.||The staff are largely from a nearby village in Alor, and many live on site. Without exception they were cheerful, and very helpful. The small bar, ably helmed by Alex and Momo, had a small but delicious repertoire of bespoke evening cocktails, the highlight being the tamarind whisky sour. ||Getting there: I failed to take advantage of Lilian’s help in booking travel arrangements. Next time, I will be calling on her experience and contacts since booking in Indonesia has its quirks. ||So, if you are looking for a week (or three) in paradise, world class diving and a beautiful resort, I highly recommend this experience. We are already planning our...