Charukesi Ramadurai

The small town of Labuan Bajo in Indonesia’s Flores island is finally having its moment under the tourism spotlight. The attention is well deserved: apart from the prehistoric monitor lizards known as Komodo dragons found only within the confines of the Komodo National Park, the islands in this region boast Instagram-worthy pink beaches, spectacular viewpoints and crystal-clear waters with flourishing corals and other marine life.  Add to this mix a new(ish) international airport with direct connections to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and you will understand why so many new resorts are popping up all over the island. But in the midst of all the mediocrity, the Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa from Marriott, shines with its warm hospitality and dazzling design. Photograph: Ta'aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo First impressions: smiling service and personal butlers  Exiting the airport, we drive for barely five minutes before pulling up at Ta’aktana, where Azzam, my personal butler for this stay is waiting with my welcome gift of a handwoven bracelet. As I step into the lobby, the first thing that strikes me is the sense of open space, with the outdoors and indoors meeting and merging seamlessly everywhere.  Speaking of Labuan Bajo, Azzam says, “This is the place where the land meets the sea.” And indeed, the décor accents throughout the resort reflect its seaside location – from the striking installation of two people on a boat in the lobby to t