Eco lodge in Southwest Sumba
Betelnut Eco Lodge
A small, solar-powered eco lodge on the beach at Wainyapu Village, Kodi. Meals are shared, and village life goes on all around you.
From$135a night on Booking.com
- Beachfront
- Families
- Village life
- Off-grid
- Surf
About
Betelnut Eco Lodge is a small, family-led eco lodge on the beach at Wainyapu Village, Kodi, in Southwest Sumba. It grew from years of friendship with the village's families and elders, and you stay right alongside village life.
Rooms are teak bungalows, bamboo rooms and a family bungalow. All meals are included: mostly vegetarian, with fresh fish when it's caught and sourdough baked on site.
Why we recommend it
On the beach, beside a village
No road between the lodge and the sea, and Wainyapu Village is right next door.
Every meal included
Full board, shared at one table, with sourdough baked on site.
Guests rate it highly
9.7 on Booking.com and 5.0 on Google, with staff scored 10 out of 10.
Betelnut grew from years of friendship with families and elders in Wainyapu Village. It runs on solar power, is built with local materials and uses chemical-free products from its sister company, Alam Farma. Betelnut Eco Lodge
The experience
Betelnut sits on the beach at Wainyapu Village, with no road between the lodge and the sea. Days follow the village and the tides: a surf or a paddle, a walk through the village, a nap in a hammock, or a trip out on a traditional fishing boat.
The lodge runs on solar power and is built from local wood and bamboo. Wi-Fi is free and fast enough for video calls, if you want it.
Service
The lodge is small and family-led, and guests name the hosts, Ben and Jeanne, in most reviews. Booking.com guests score the staff 10 out of 10.
Meals are shared at one table, housekeeping is daily, and laundry and airport transfers are on offer. The team speaks English and Indonesian.
Rooms and layout
Three room types, all hand-built from local wood and bamboo, with open-air design to keep them cool without air-conditioning.
- Couples
Teak Wooden Bungalow
Pick it for privacy
- For couples and small families
- Mosquito net and fan
- Fresh linen and towels
- Solar-powered outlets
Solo travellersTraditional Bamboo Room
Pick it for solo travel
- Made for solo travellers
- Mosquito net and fan
- Fresh linen and towels
- Solar-powered outlets
FamiliesFamily Bamboo Bungalow
Pick it for the kids
- Two large double beds
- Room for parents and children
- Mosquito nets and fans
- Fresh linen and towels
Getting to Betelnut Eco Lodge
Fly from Bali to Tambolaka Airport, about 50 minutes. The lodge is about 54 km away on the Kodi coast, and the team can arrange your transfer from the airport.
Best for
- Village life and culture19 of 35 written reviews praise the village and local culture
- Warm, personal hostsStaff rated 10 / 10 on Booking.com
- A beach to yourselfLocation rated 9.9 / 10 on Booking.com
- Families with kidsFamily bungalow, kids' play gear, and children of any age welcome
Key facts
- Check-in 2pm to 6pm, check-out 11am to 12pm
- Full board: every meal is included
- Beachfront, next to Wainyapu Village
- Free Wi-Fi and free parking
Dining
Communal meals
All meals included and shared at one table, mostly vegetarian, with fresh fish when it's caught
Sourdough
Baked on site and served with meals, with herbs and vegetables from the lodge garden
Pizza night
Wood-fired pizza, praised in 6 guest reviews
Amenities and services
- Free Wi-Fi
- Beachfront
- Meals included
- Surfing
- Paddleboards
- Snorkelling
- Kids' play area
- Pets on request
- Free parking
- Laundry
- Outdoor fireplace
- EN · ID
Guest reviews, compiled
Scores from 62 reviews on Booking.com, Google and Tripadvisor · checked 31 Oct 2026
Guests rave about the hosts, the shared meals and the village around the lodge. They describe an uncrowded beach and surf break, and a real welcome into village life.
- Staff
- 10 /10
- Location
- 9.9 /10
- Comfort
- 9.6 /10
- Cleanliness
- 9.5 /10
38 of 39 Google and Tripadvisor reviews give 5 stars
Hosts and staff27 reviews
Guests say the hosts and the village staff made them feel instantly at home.
Food23 reviews
Generous, homemade meals, with pizza night a firm favourite.
Beach and surf20 reviews
A beautiful, uncrowded beach and empty waves right out front.
Village and culture19 reviews
A real connection with Wainyapu Village and local life.
We stayed in the family bungalow, which was spacious, beautifully maintained, with clean linen and a private outdoor shower that felt very connected to nature. The food was incredible.
5 out of 5 starsKevin · Google The huts are incredibly comfortable, and the hosts truly make you feel at home. The food is amazing, and the local staff from the village is so attentive and charming.
5 out of 5 starsChristine · Google Ben and Jeane excelled as hosts - Ben shuttled our boys out to the surf each morning in the dinghy. The staff are the best. Communal meals are a highlight.
5 out of 5 starsShane · Google The staff were amazing and Herche the manager took us on a wonderful walk through the village and into houses so we got to fully taste what Sumba life is like.
5 out of 5 starsMalcolm, Indonesia · Tripadvisor
Frequently asked questions
Are meals included at Betelnut Eco Lodge?
Yes. Every stay is full board, with meals shared at one table. Food is mostly vegetarian, with fresh fish when it's caught and sourdough baked on site.
How far is Betelnut Eco Lodge from Tambolaka airport?
About 54 km. The team can arrange your transfer from the airport.
Is there Wi-Fi and power?
Yes. The lodge runs on solar power, with fans and power outlets in the rooms, and free Wi-Fi fast enough for video calls (23 Mbps).
What rooms are there?
Teak wooden bungalows for couples and small families, traditional bamboo rooms for solo travellers, and a family bamboo bungalow with two large double beds.
Is Betelnut good for kids?
Yes. Children of any age are welcome, and there is a family bungalow and kids' play equipment.
What time are check-in and check-out?
Check-in is from 2pm to 6pm and check-out from 11am to 12pm, per Booking.com.
