Oro Beach Houses And Restaurant: Bungalows In A Secluded Heaven

Located on Oro beach

Oro Beach Houses and Restaurant is located at a beach named Oro. This three-kilometer beach is one of the most beautiful but rarely visited beaches located in the southwestern part of the island. It has whiter sand than beaches in Bali, perfect for beach activities like sunbathing and volleyball. However, there is something more about the beach. Unlike other beaches, Oro beach is somewhat rocky and the rocks are covered with green algae.

Spending your time here is akin to being on a private beach because most visitors are the hotel’s guests. Enjoy the beach just from your doorsteps! Since there is no boundary between the hotel and the beach, you can go to the beach, which is just one-minute away from your bungalow on foot, at anytime you want.

Unique local architecture

Oro Beach Houses and Restaurant comprises a cluster of seven bungalows. In addition to its beachfront location, this resort has unique architecture, which adopts the local design. Although the building structure is no different from a regular bungalow, which is made of concrete, the roofs have been built like those of ‘rumah adat’ (traditional houses for ceremonial occasions) of the Sumba tribe. The roofs are thatched and pyramidal. However, the thatch roof is very thick and rainwater can’t penetrate inside, making it safe for guests to stay indoor when raining.

Rates start from 46 USD

There are two choices of bungalows, with and without air-conditioning. It costs 46 USD for a room with fan and 55 USD for a room with air-conditioning. Both rates include breakfast for two. However, please note that like other houses and hotels on Sumba island, the electricity shuts off from 9pm to 6am. For the night, you need to open the windows as the weather may be too hot and humid.

In this somewhat rugged settings, there are bound to be mosquitos. However, you need not worry, as all beds in each room are equipped with a mosquito net.

Fresh seafood for lunch & dinner

The hotel is located in a remote area and the nearest places to eat are at the town of Tambaloka, 20 km away from here. Unless you travel to the town for food, the hotel’s restaurant will be the only place to eat throughout the day.

However, despite its remote location, they also sell soda drinks like coca cola and local brand of beer, Bintang. For breakfast, you will be served sandwiches along with tea or coffee in the hotel restaurant. For lunch and dinner, you can look forward to fresh seafood. The dishes on the menu are mostly seafood, which is cooked by the owner, Siska and a few employees.

The seafood is very fresh, as it is purchased from local fishermen. Food prices range from 4 USD to 8 USD per portion. Try their balado squid (grilled squid with spicy red sauce, which comes with grilled eggplants). It may be the sweetest squid you will ever eat.

Beach activities

On the beach you can do any kinds of beach activities. You can swim, jog or collect seashells. In addition, snorkeling is one activity you must not miss, as the underwater life here is beautiful (you can rent the snorkeling equipment in the closest town of Tambaloka prior to your visit to Oro beach). You will see one of the most unspoilt corals on earth. All corals here ‘dance’ in the water, meaning they are alive! See beautiful and colorful small fishes swimming in and out of the corals.