Kirana Retreat — Hotel in Sumbawa

We’ve stayed in Sumbawa twice now — first at Kini and most recently at Kirana — so you could say we’re repeat guests. We travel a fair bit and visit Indonesia regularly, so we’re not overly demanding when it comes to service. We fully respect the local way of life and the island pace.

The positives

Kirana’s location is stunning — you can literally hear the waves from your room. The place is wonderfully private and peaceful, perfect for switching off. A big shout-out to Avril( or Apri, didn’t get your name properly, sorry mate) and Putri: they were genuinely helpful, went out of their way for us, and even helped organise a birthday surprise for my wife.

Where things let us down

Unfortunately, a few service and communication issues put a dampener on the stay: • Massage booking: My wife booked a massage through the hotel system about eight hours in advance. It seems the staff don’t consistently monitor that system, making the booking process unreliable. She followed up on WhatsApp — the message was read but not replied to — and on our return the receptionist said all messages had been missed and it was now “too short notice” to arrange the massage. That was pretty disappointing. • Boat excursion: We were invited to join a shared boat trip on Sunday, confirmed straight away, and reassured we were on the list with a 3 pm meeting at reception. On Friday we double-checked and discovered the trip had been rescheduled to Saturday — without any notification — which forced us to rearrange plans at short notice. Then on Saturday the time was changed again to 4 pm (also uncommunicated). By 4 pm other guests had pulled out and the outing became a private cruise for the two of us. The price remained the same but the activity was downgraded (no snorkelling or paddling), which was disappointing given how it was advertised. • Billing errors: On multiple occasions we were charged for other guests’ food and drinks. Each time this took a while to sort at reception and required corrections. It’s frustrating to have to chase basic billing mistakes while trying to enjoy a holiday.

Suggestions for improvement • Train and supervise staff on basic procedures — especially booking systems, WhatsApp/guest messaging, excursion lists and billing. Better front-desk processes would avoid a lot of unnecessary hassle. • Confirm changes proactively. If times or plans change, guests should be informed straight away (SMS/WhatsApp call/notice at reception). • Check bills before checkout. Staff should verify items before presenting the bill so guests don’t have to spend time disputing charges. • Personal touches: We appreciated Avril and Putri helping with my wife’s birthday. Given Kirana’s intimate, private vibe, a small complimentary gesture from the hotel (a cake, a local postcard with personal wishes, or a small token) would really elevate the guest experience and show genuine care.

Overall

We loved the setting, the privacy and some members of the team — the resort has huge potential. With tighter communication, better use of booking tools and careful billing checks, Kirana would be...

Tranquil Escape at Kirana Retreat

My stay at Kirana Retreat was nothing short of enchanting. Nestled amidst the lush greenery of West Sumbawa, this retreat offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life, perfect for a city girl like me!!

The drive from the airport took about 3 hours ish…long, but picturesque!

To be frank, the check-in process wasn’t a breeze as the room I had booked and paid for months beforehand was unavailable and I was only informed about it when I arrived which I thought was ridiculous! After having to wait, I was then assigned to a hut which I felt rather uncomfortable with as it has an outdoor bathroom, which I am definitely NOT a fan of! That contributed to an even longer waiting time for me before they decided to move me to a cabin with an indoor bathroom, which was a relief. Pheww!!

All that waiting was no fun and games and having to do that after 11 hours of travelling and starving was not something I was looking forward to the moment I arrived.

The saving grace was that I was greeted with warm hospitality and genuine smiles from the staff at the restaurant and the bubbly Silvy at the front desk, not to mention the spectacular view from the restaurant itself.

The cabin I stayed in was clean and spacious and waking up to the sound of birds chirping and the gentle rustle of the surrounding trees was a rejuvenating experience in itself so no complains :)

I was introduced to Pak Nyoman, the GM who was very helpful and hospitable. He, along with his team made sure I was well taken care of during my stay and they made my stay at Kirana a phenomenal one in the end 🙏🏽

And one of the highlights of my stay are the furry friends at Kirana. I love animals and that was a fantastic experience for me, especially the unforgettable horse ride with Mas Angi on the beach!

So, whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, a wellness retreat, or simply a peaceful retreat in nature like I did, Kirana Retreat offers an experience that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, however, be prepared to wait and do not expect lightning fast service…the staff are warm and helpful, just less experienced I guess…

Despite the hiccups, my heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at Kirana Retreat, especially Pak Nyoman, Silvy, Halfan and the rest of the Upins Ipins (sorry, I didn’t get all their names) for creating such a magical experience for my first visit to Sumbawa. I look forward to returning soon to bask in the tranquility of this hidden gem and hopefully release some baby turtles.🫰🏽

Best...

You will be pinching yourself as soon as you land on what feels like Gilligan's Island. This rustic eco conscious resort is not for the delicate tourist, but for those who crave that deep connection with all things nature has to offer. Hidden inside its very own white sandy beach cove, lined by an undersea coral city, waiting to be explored, lies a true paradise, Kirana Retreat. Do I sound like an ad in a tourist magazine? Heck yes, because this is the real deal. There is no better way to describe it. The sound of waves crashing truly did lull me into restful sleep as sea breezes swept across my body in my glamping hut. Fresh linen, absorbent towels, and natural ingredient toiletries pampered my skin as the nourishing, locally sourced savoury snacks and ground coffee worked wonders on the inside. At the rear of the bamboo apexed roof hut was the highlight of this magical space, an open-air bamboo-lined bathroom, with stone flooring and a shower rose hidden amongst green foliage. The sea breezes kept most bugs and mosquito's at bay, but I'd made certain to say hello to the tiny sugar ants as they went about their busy lives. With the ocean out front and a top quality open plan restaurant just next door, it was hard to decide which way go. The restaurant, inspired by the chef's story to share his life lessons and passion for healing others, offers only the best fresh produce, much of which is grown onsite and locally sourced. The strict hygiene and food preparation rituals provide reassurance that raw tuna Poke bowls and salad burgers can be consumed without fear of tummy upsets. There is so much to choose from with a variety of juices, mocktails, cocktails, beers, and wines to satisfy even the fussiest patron. With activities like kayaking, horse riding, snorkelling, spear-phishing, and even watching the odd turtle release on the agenda, there is always something to do. That is unless, like me, you sometimes just want to sit in your hut writing as you listen to cicadas, and while the timeless hours away, Come, just come, you will remember...