FAQs & Useful Information

Non-Refundable & Non-Transferable: All payments are final.

Cancellations: Must be made in writing.

Postponements: Cancellations 30+ days before check-in may reschedule at new booking rates.

Late Cancellations & No-Shows: Cancellations within 29 days of check-in or no-shows result in forfeiture of booking and payment.

No refunds for no-shows or unused nights due to early check-out.

Late Arrivals & Extended Stays:

Extended stays allowed based on availability.

The resort is not responsible for flight delays or cancellations.

Alamayah offers full 4G reception, though indoor signal may vary. Our WiFi, powered by Starlink, ensures fast and reliable coverage throughout the property, allowing you to make and receive calls. In rare cases, storms or strong winds may temporarily weaken coverage, but messaging remains available, and disruptions typically last only a few hours.

In addition to casual beach and daywear, we recommend lightweight, long-sleeve shirts and pants for mornings and evenings to prevent insect bites.

For adventure activities like waterfall hikes and mountain biking, bring comfortable hiking boots or runners.

From April to October, nights can be chilly, so a sweater or jumper is advised.

There's no need to book activities before your arrival, except for a visit to Waikelo Sawah, which we highly recommend if you’re arriving on the early flight. This short detour from the airport offers a scenic and relaxing start to your journey. If preferred, you can also visit Waikelo Sawah on your departure day.

All other activities can be arranged upon arrival at Alamayah Boutique Hotel. While many online guides highlight tourist spots like Kampung Ratenggaro, Bukit Lendongara, Bukit Wairinding, Pantai Mandorak, and Pantai Mbawana, these locations are several hours away and can be quite busy. Instead, we encourage exploring hidden gems closer to Alamayah, where you’ll experience the untouched beauty of Sumba and a more authentic Sumbanese experience.

Let us guide you to the most stunning and accessible locations, ensuring a truly immersive and unforgettable stay.

We offer guided experiences and can tailor an activity-based stay to your interests. While our guest book lists available activities, we can also customize tours to any destination or place, even if not included.

Alamayah’s farm-to-table restaurant is open daily from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM, offering fresh, locally sourced meals. Due to our remote location, there are no nearby restaurants, but rest assured—our chefs cater to all dietary requirements, ensuring a delicious and nourishing dining experience throughout your stay.

Alamayah offers a full laundry service, though we recommend handwashing valuable items yourself. Please note that dry cleaning is not available.

Alamayah operates on 220V power with surge protection and stabilizers to keep your equipment safe. All power outlets are RCD protected, and international plug sockets are available in all bedrooms for your convenience.

While we run on mains power, outages can occur. Our backup generators ensure continuity, though there may be a brief 2–3 minute delay while they start up or shut down.

A 10% service charge is added to your bill. Additional tipping is not required but always appreciated for our team's hard work.

We kindly suggest avoiding overpaying for items or giving donations outside our staff. Instead, we encourage purchasing items as a form of exchange to support the local community.

There are no shops near Alamayah, but we encourage supporting local villages by purchasing handcrafted woven ikats made by local women.

For those interested in antiques, the district capital, Waikabubak, has a store offering priceless Sumbanese antiques.

All guest accommodations, the gym, and massage rooms are equipped with air conditioning.

To cool our open-plan common areas sustainably, we use water features on the ground floor, which provide efficient natural cooling.

Alamayah has its own horses, often seen grazing on the lawns or swimming at the beach. We offer trail rides, beach swims with the horses, and sunrise beach rides.

We provide Australian saddles and equipment—just bring long pants, sports shoes, and socks. For swimming with the horses, regular swimwear is recommended.

If you love horses, feel free to ask our staff for a visit—they'll be happy to assist!

Many of Alamayah’s activities can be shared with children, depending on their age, interests, and abilities. Our child-friendly staff are experienced in caring for kids while parents relax or participate in activities.

Activities suitable for children include:

• Sports & Outdoor Fun: Soccer, snorkelling, boating, fishing, village visits, waterfall hikes, mountain biking, and reef exploration (low tide).
• Creative & Playful Activities: A child-friendly pool, board games, drawing, and beach toys.
• Nature Exploration: Fossil and shell collecting.

We warmly welcome families and ensure a fun, engaging stay for children of all ages!

Alamayah offers a full-time babysitter/nanny for your convenience. Whether you’d like to enjoy a private dinner, activity, or simply need a helping hand, we can arrange this for you.

Alamayah provides top-quality fishing gear, so bringing your own isn’t necessary unless you prefer personalized equipment.

For those planning serious fishing and feeling more comfortable with their own gear, bringing your favorite rod and reel is an option—but not required.

Guests can use surfboards free of charge, including shortboards, foam boards, longboards, and SUPs.

If you're a serious surfer, we recommend bringing your own boards, as there are no surf shops or ding repair services in Sumba. It’s a good idea to bring:

• Spare boards (if possible)
• Basic ding repair kit or Solarez for small dings
• Wax, spare leash, booties, sun protection, and extra fins, as these are not available locally.

Sumba’s coastline receives consistent swell, offering waves for all levels—from big, heavy surf to gentle beginner-friendly breaks. We can always find the right spot for you.

At Alamayah, we have full-time surf guides, a jet ski, and two boats for wave transport, tow-ins, and assisted paddling. Most surf spots are also accessible by scooter or car.

We often receive questions about health precautions when traveling to Sumba. While malaria is present on the island, mosquitoes are typically active only during dawn and dusk (6 AM – 8 AM and 5 PM – 10 PM). At Alamayah, we implement mosquito reduction measures, though 100% protection is never guaranteed.

To minimize risk, we recommend the following preventative measures:
- Wear light, loose-fitting long sleeves and pants, especially during peak mosquito hours.
- Use the natural insect repellent provided at Alamayah.

The World Health Organization (WHO) advises taking Doxycycline as a malaria prevention medication. If you choose prophylaxis, please consult your medical practitioner.

Recognizing & Treating Malaria

Malaria is easily treatable if diagnosed early, but can become dangerous if left untreated. If you experience flu-like symptoms within 9-14 days after visiting Sumba—such as fever, headaches, blurry vision, stiff joints, or fatigue—seek medical attention immediately.

A simple blood test provides results within hours. Since the malaria parasite doubles in your blood every 24 hours, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

For any concerns, feel free to reach out to our team—we’re here to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable stay at Alamayah.

Sumba’s beaches occasionally have small insects called midges (sand flies), which are typically present during cooler parts of the day—early mornings, late afternoons, during cloud cover, or in shaded areas.

To avoid bites while enjoying a morning or afternoon beach walk, we recommend:
- Wearing light, long-sleeved clothing and long pants
- Applying insect repellent before heading out

Reactions to sand fly bites vary—some people may not react at all, while others may experience itching hours or even days later. If bitten, try to avoid scratching to prevent irritation. For relief, please ask our staff for fresh Aloe Vera, a natural and soothing remedy.

Enjoy Sumba’s stunning beaches comfortably with these simple precautions.

At Alamayah, we accept credit cards, and you can conveniently add expenses to your final bill (within reason). If you need cash, several ATMs are available on the island for withdrawals using a credit card or Indonesian bank card.

Payment Options at Alamayah:

✔ International Transfers (must be completed at least 7 days before arrival)
✔ Wise (formerly TransferWise)
✔ Credit Card or Credit Card Payment Link (requires full name, email, and mailing address)

🚫 PayPal is not available at this time.

For any payment-related inquiries, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to assist! 😊

The Sumbanese people follow the Marapu belief, an ancestral spiritual tradition that teaches the balance of universal life through the wisdom of their ancestors. This belief is deeply woven into daily life, expressed through ritual ceremonies, celebrations, and sacrifices in honor of their creator god and ancestors.

Marapu is an animistic and megalithic culture, making it one of the last living megalithic traditions on Earth. While not officially recognized as one of Indonesia’s six sanctioned religions, many Sumbanese identify as Christian while still practicing Marapu customs, preserving their rich heritage and traditions.

Experience the unique spiritual and cultural depth of Sumba, where ancient traditions continue to thrive.

Sumba is celebrated for its cultural purity and traditional villages, many of which remain untouched by tourism and are located near Alamayah. Many of our staff still reside in these villages, allowing us to offer one of the most authentic and insightful village immersions available.

We highly recommend joining us for a visit to these local villages, where you’ll experience genuine Sumbanese traditions and daily life firsthand. Unlike villages that focus on tourism, this experience provides a true reflection of Sumba’s heritage, guided by those who call it home.

For a truly meaningful and authentic connection to Sumbanese culture, let us take you beyond the typical tourist path.

A little extra space in your suitcase can make a big difference to the local community. If you're able, consider bringing small gifts for the children—deflated soccer balls, books, drawing supplies, or arts and crafts materials. These simple items bring joy and inspiration to young minds, creating a priceless impact.

On your way home, the best way to give back is by supporting traditional Sumbanese crafts. For generations, the Sumbanese have been weaving world-class ikats, each piece handcrafted with intricate detail and cultural significance. Instead of a cash donation, purchasing a handwoven ikat or locally made craft helps sustain these ancient traditions and empowers younger generations to continue their ancestral artistry. These are not mass-produced items but unique, village-made heirlooms that take months to create—a meaningful keepsake of your time in Sumba.

Your support ensures that these traditions live on, creating a lasting impact for both the artisans and future generations.

Sumba’s villages offer an exceptional collection of handcrafted items, including handwoven baskets and bags, Sumba Ikat weavings, sarongs, and traditional knives (parang). Each piece reflects generations of craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

We encourage guests to be mindful and respectful when making purchases. If you plan to buy larger items, we recommend having our staff accompany you or arranging a meeting at the hotel with the seller. This ensures fair pricing and supports the authenticity of the local market.

We take pride in bringing our guests to genuine, traditional villages, and we strive to preserve their cultural integrity—ensuring they remain living communities, not commercial shopping hubs. Your thoughtful support helps maintain the beauty and authenticity of Sumba’s artisan traditions.

There’s no strict dress code—comfortable and appropriate clothing is perfectly fine. Typical attire includes a shirt or T-shirt paired with shorts or a sarong.

For footwear, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes, but keep in mind that they will need to be removed before entering homes as a sign of respect.

Sumba is home to a rich, ancient culture, being one of the last practicing animistic and megalithic societies in the world. The Sumbanese people are warm, friendly, and always ready with a smile or helping hand.

While there is no strict dress code, basic decency and respect are appreciated in any culture. Feel free to explore the island and beaches independently, knowing you are in a safe and welcoming environment.

There is so much to learn—our staff are always happy to answer any questions!

Sumba hosts unique cultural events throughout the year:

• February – March: Pasola ceremonies take place near Alamayah.
• August – January: Pajura (traditional boxing) ceremonies are held.
• July: A week-long horse racing event attracts riders from across Indonesia.
• Year-round: Funeral and wedding ceremonies occur, and guests are sometimes invited to experience these special traditions.

Let us know if you're interested in attending any cultural events during your stay!

All Alamayah staff are first aid trained, and an AED (defibrillator) is available on-site. In case of medical needs:

• Kabukarudi General Hospital is 10 minutes away for initial assessment.
• Waikabubak Hospital (District Capital) is 40 minutes away for more extensive treatment.
• Medical evacuations can be arranged from Tambolaka Airport (70-minute ambulance transfer) to Bali or Singapore if needed.

Your safety is our priority, and we are here to assist with any medical concerns.

All guests (individuals, companies, and legal entities) are responsible for arranging appropriate insurance before arriving at Alamayah.

Failure to secure proper insurance means that Alamayah, PT Alamayah Griya Indonesia, their officers, employees, or any third-party contractors will not be liable for any loss, injury, damage, expenses, or costs arising from any incident while traveling to or from Alamayah or during their stay.

If you have medical evacuation coverage, a medivac plane can transport you from Sumba to Singapore, which offers the best medical care in the region.

Alamayah is not responsible for any medical emergency evacuation costs. Without an evacuation policy, expect to pay approximately US$40,000 for the evacuation flight alone—excluding hospital and other related expenses.

Guests should bring any necessary prescription medications for their trip.

General antibiotics, antiseptics, and wound care supplies are readily available if needed.

Surfboards can be checked into Wings or NAM flights to Tambolaka, but boards over 8ft long are typically not allowed. While exceptions have occurred, we don’t recommend risking it.

For longer boards, shipping options include:

• Cargo plane (faster but more expensive)
• Overland expedition (cheaper but may take weeks each way)

Plan accordingly to ensure your boards arrive on time!