Just spent a week with the crew at Favela, and it was amazing. Comfortable, clean and welcoming accommodation, and the food is so good, super healthy, delicious and plenty of it for pre and post surf fueling.

The staff were all lovely, and the location great for quick boat access to a bunch of great waves. Super flexible too, in terms of being able to hit the waves when the tide/wind works best, rather than being on a set timetable.

Thanks Flav, Janiece and all the crew for a brilliant week.

21/10/2025

Couldn’t fault Favela. Flav, Janiece and the boys are so welcoming and lovely. They’re so knowledgable of the area and take you to the best surf spots suited for you/avoid crowds. The house is unreal, super clean and perfect island vibes. Meal times was one of my favourite times of the day with delicious, healthy, fresh food every meal! Can’t wait to go back!

19/10/2025

Had a great time at Favelas with Janiece & Flavio. Would highly recommend the place for anyone that would like to go to Mentawai to experience good surf but also to hang out with amazing people! Thank you so much for taking so good care of us!

Hotel highlights; Great view, Quiet, Great value

23/10/2025

Home away from home? In paradise. Truly felt right at home, very accommodating and welcoming- was treated like family pretty much cried leaving. Epic location, super close to the port, very convenient and several boats to take to all the surf spots with a knowledgeable crew for the beaks and the wind so we scored waves every session. The food is next level, couldn't wait for the next meal.

Hotel highlights; Great value

28/09/2025

Flawless - From the welcome smiles, the willingness to get you the best surf experience every day, to the fabulous, fresh, healthy food ready when we were - easily a place to return to again and again. The relaxed, post- surf chit chat almost as fun as the surfing! No hesitation- 5 stars. Hannah, Janiece, Flavio and Ally- stellar crew! Dogs were super cute too.

Nearby activities; Surf breaks nearby - offered up incredible surfing day after day

Hotel highlights; Great view, Quiet

25/08/2025

Had the most amazing time at Favela. Flavio, Jan, and the team were amazing hosts. Feels like family. Food is incredible and they are able to cater to your preferences. So caring and hospitable, easy to feel like home away from home. Highly recommend!!

Hotel highlights; Great view, Quiet, Child-friendly, Great value

18/07/2025

I stayed at Favela for The Art of Trim retreat with Matt (The waxhead) and had the best time on this little slice of heaven! The owners & staff were all super lovely - shoutout to Hannah, Janiece, Flav and our chef Alison. The service was great and food was to die for (I’m still craving the salads I had there). Favela is conveniently located near some awesome left and right breaks. And even on the quieter days there are still plently to do on the island - SUP, swims in crystal clear water, ice bath or explore the mangrove 😍

10/08/2025

I feel sooo lucky to had had the opportunity to stay at Favela! It truly felt like home, Flávio, Janiece and Hannah were absolutely incredible hosts and made us all feel like family. The house is adorable and very comfortable and the island Favela is on is just magnificent. Also the food was incredible, super healthy and delicious. I can’t wait to be back and can’t recommend this place enough 💛

9/9/2025

A truly magical and paradisiacal place! With only five rooms, it felt like we had the whole paradise to ourselves. The food is outstanding – delicious, healthy, and prepared with so much care. Nature here is a real playground: fishing, snorkeling, paddleboarding in the mangroves… the turquoise water changes shades throughout the day, and every sunset is unique – even more magical when shared around the fire.

We came as a family with our children (8 and 2 years old) and spent such precious quality time together in nature. We didn’t even surf (even though the island is world-famous for it!), because the snorkeling right in front of the resort was already amazing, with several beautiful spots – I even spotted lionfish!

Every moment had its beauty. Even a rainy morning spent in the hammock turned into a peaceful poem. But what truly makes this experience unforgettable is the extraordinary welcome of the staff and the kindness of the hosts. I had the privilege of joining my son in an English class with the village children, organized by the host’s NGO – an unforgettable and touching experience. I learned so much from them, and it inspired me to become a better person, to give more than I receive.

I leave this place with a heart full of gratitude, feeling blessed by these 7 special days. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the hosts for making this possible. I will definitely come back.

14/09/2025

The highlight of my stay in the Mentawais, from the moment I stepped into favela the hosts were hospitable and by the end we felt like a family. Everyone went above and beyond to suit my needs being a type 1 diabetic. I had the best sleep I’ve had in years on this beautiful islands and surfed the most magical waves with the best company everyday and we even got taken to more secluded unpopular spots you wouldn’t usually experience in the fancy resorts. Flav and Janiece always made our happiness our priority- being happy to take us to waves further away despite it costing more in fuel. I’m counting down the days till I can visit again. Thankyou so much to everyone there for hosting me in the Favela fam. Already missing life in paradise and looking forward to seeing you all as soon as possible!

25/08/2025

Favela is one of the best places we have ever experienced !!
Flavio, Janiece and Hana are so friendly and they immediately made us feel at home. They took us on many different activities like a boat trip around the islands, surf lesson (even for beginners like us, they always have a solution that will work for you), snorkelling .. We could also use the paddle boards to go see the mangrove.
The house itself was so beautiful, very comfy, clean, and had everything we needed.
The food was excellent, homemade and different everyday, a mix of indonesian and western food.
Finally, the house is located right on a beautiful, very peaceful beach, a short boat trip away from surf spots and many other activities.
And last but not least, the dogs were super cute and friendly !!
If we ever come back to the Mentawai, we will come back here for sure !!
Thank you again for the good vibe ;)
Karl and Lisa.

Hotel highlights; Luxury, Great view, Quiet, Child-friendly

10/06/2025

If you're looking for an unforgettable stay in the heart of Mentawai, look no further than Favela Mentawai. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Flavio, Janiece, and the entire staff, whose hospitality truly set the tone for the entire experience. They went above and beyond in every way, making sure all our needs were met with genuine care and attention to detail.

The accommodation itself was nothing short of spectacular. Nestled in an idyllic location, it offered the perfect balance of comfort and authenticity, allowing me to relax and immerse myself in the beauty of Mentawai. The rooms were beautiful, clean, and thoughtfully designed, with just the right touch of local charm that made me feel truly at home.

But what really made this stay exceptional was the food. Each meal was a delightful experience, prepared with the freshest ingredients and bursting with flavors. Every dish felt like it was made with love and passion – whether it was a hearty breakfast to start the day or a delicious dinner after a long day of surfing. The culinary offerings at Favela Mentawai are top-notch, showcasing the richness of local cuisine with a gourmet twist.

Flavio, Janice, and the rest of the team created an atmosphere of warmth and friendship that made my time there even more special. Their knowledge of the area and the activities they organised were fantastic, ensuring that I could experience Mentawai to the fullest. Taking us to surf breaks everyday, diving excursions and mangrove tours, they were always there to make sure everything went smoothly.

In short, Favela Mentawai is the perfect destination for anyone seeking exceptional accommodation, a location close to all the surf breaks, outstanding food, and a genuinely memorable experience. If you have the chance to visit, you will undoubtedly leave with incredible memories and a deep appreciation for the fantastic staff who make it all possible. We will be back!

16/05/2025

Absolutely, stay here! We were in the ments for 2 months (here, Katiet, macaronis), and this was our favorite place we stayed without competition. It stood out for the incredible hospitality (the staff are incredibly friendly and kind and helpful), the food (which was delicious and varied and healthy and nourishing), and the incredibly calm and relaxing atmosphere (it’s quiet, clean, well kept, and very charming). I would stay again and recommend to friends with zero hesitation! Thank you for such a wonderful stay!

Hotel highlights; Great view, Quiet

27/4/2025

Certainly the best surf trip ever.

The whole crew at Favela Mentawai was amazing and did their absolute best to make sure we had the best experience possible.

The house is beautiful and it felt like home, the room was clean, spacious, equipped with strong aircon and leading to the balcony.
Nice bathroom too with hot water ( even if you don’t really need it :)

The chef cooked the best food you want for a surf trip with some super snacks we took in the boats.

Their knowledge of the surrounding area for surf and activities made our stay just unforgettable. They can accommodate everyone with different levels and non surfers too, I will come back for sure.

Thanks so much Favela Mentawai for such an epic experience 🙏🏼

Rooms; Clean, spacious and equipped with powerful aircon

Nearby activities; Most amazing surf, snorkelling or just SUP

Food and drinks; Healthy meals and snacks to have enough energy when you surf the whole day

Hotel highlights; Great view, Romantic, Quiet, Child-friendly, Great value

10/10/2024