Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara hotel rooms at the Independent

"This resort has a beautiful and dramatic setting, built into a cliff overlooking the sea with individual plunge pools by each villa. You sleep to the sound of the waves beating on the rocks and enjoy beautiful sunsets. However, it is experiencing many problems with staff and service. We did not receive a gracious welcome, were not given an orientation to the staff or amenities, and were charged an enormous amount (over a million IDR or $70 apiece) for a "barbecue" when we arrived. We had a bumpy 3 hour drive from the west and did not want to eat much on unsettled stomachs, but were told that this was a "fixed price" meal even if we did not want to consume it. We were ready to try to take our meals elsewhere until we realized that on the other days we could order a la carte. Major problem in communication and not a great way to welcome clients. The resort is also not eco-conscious: We were allotted 2 small plastic water bottles, had to beg for more drinking water to take our meds and make coffee in the room. Only Nescafe, no milk available. They should follow the lead of other Sumba resorts (Nihi, Cap Karoso) and provide refillable glass bottles. This is both wasteful and stingy on the part of the staff. The general manager left while we were there and is apparently not going to be replaced. We did not get an orientation about activities or the spa (which we never visited, although there was a sign about it). We asked our driver about horse back riding and so did that"