Villa Domanik in Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia: Find Serenity on an Indonesian Island Hotels International

There are hotels in this world that stay in our hearts forever. Villa Domanik is one of those hotels. Located on a mountaintop in Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia, it is a sanctuary away from the rest of the world. The open-air lobby/dining area filled with handcrafted tables, comfortable sofas and elegant seating, blends perfectly with the incredible views of the surrounding mountains, the ocean and the gorgeous flowers in the hotel landscaping. Immediately I knew this place was special.

Inside our bungalow an open-air shower filled with stones and beautiful lush green plants awaited me. Each day it was an oasis to step into the bathroom and look at the beautiful garden that was our shower. I would spend hours on our patio overlooking the grounds, the ocean and a few of the local islands – reading a book, sipping a drink and listening to the quiet.

Each afternoon I would walk down the stone trail to the infinity pool. Here the beauty of Indonesia revealed itself. Leaning on the rail, feeling the pool water surround me, I would take in the gorgeous green mountains, the hilly islands, the peaceful land below us and the soft movement of the ocean. Then the sky would transition from blue to pink and orange as the sun set in the most dramatic way I have ever seen.

If I could stay one place, in one moment in my life, it would be there in that pool watching the light change minute by minute over the most gorgeous landscape you can imagine, surrounded by the kindest people I have ever met. But life doesn’t work that way, so after seven days I had to move on. I knew I had a place in this world I could always come back to if I needed reminding of what a miracle this planet and our lives are.

Photo: Sheri Doyle's photo of the spectacular sunset.

Photo: View of Padar Island from Komodo Island in Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia

Read more about Indonesia at SoOffWeGo.

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