Coconut Garden Beach Resort

The main problem with our stay came at the end. Maumere airport can close because of environmental issues, and during our visit it was closed due to ongoing problems from a volcanic eruption a few weeks earlier. The hotel knew about the risk when we booked but didn't warn us in advance. We found out from other travelers on our last day. Staff tried to help us contact the airport, but couldn't, and it wasn't clear whether it would actually remain closed. The language barrier made things harder. We had to choose between leaving at midnight or going to bed unsure whether we'd make our flight, and potentially miss our connection back to Bali. In hindsight, we would have reconsidered the stay if we'd known earlier. Instead, we faced a very stressful 12-hour trip back to Bajawa to catch a flight and lost a lot of money, with almost no customer service from the local airports and airlines. We were lucky to get home. The hotel should be much clearer about this risk. I'd suggest booking with free cancellation and checking with the hotel before traveling, since locals told us this happens often. If flights are at risk, plan to travel by road to Labuan Bajo or somewhere else. Apart from that, it's a lovely hotel for a quiet few days, with a beachside paradise feel, spacious and beautifully decorated rooms, good facilities, and a nice beach. The restaurant was good, with made-to-order food and a decent range of vegetarian and fish dishes, but no meat. Snorkeling and kayaking with the hotel or locally were a real plus, and it's a good base for visiting the volcano. The beach could also use more plastic cleanup. It wasn't too bad, and I know the problem is environmental, but they could do a bit better.

Our stay was deeply distressing, and the treatment of the animals made it impossible for me to enjoy the property. The large dogs were kept in rusty concrete cages, while smaller ones were squeezed into tiny transport crates where they could barely move. Their water bowls were empty, and their eyes looked sad and neglected. As an animal lover, seeing animals treated that way at a place described as pet-friendly was devastating and emotionally exhausting. To me, it went beyond neglect and amounted to physical and psychological abuse. Communication was also very difficult. Staff had little English, seemed annoyed when we asked for help, and were often on their phones. Interactions were frustrating, and I found them inefficient and unprofessional. We booked massages for two at the same time, but only one person was available. We later learned the person giving the massage was actually the driver, so the advertised service didn't seem to be handled by trained or qualified staff. There was confusion over pricing too. We were told the airport shuttle was free, then another staff member charged us the next day. The lack of coordination and honesty was incredibly frustrating. I strongly advise staying somewhere else. This place feels poorly managed and ethically questionable.

The rooms are beautiful and well kept, the beach is cleaned regularly, and service is good. The restaurant was the letdown: the menu is all seafood, yet there's no fresh fish available.

The sea is easy to get into, and you can arrange snorkeling or diving here. There isn't a pool, but the cabins are lovely and the view and sunsets are great. The staff are friendly, the food is good, and it's a very pleasant resort that stays with you.