Nihi Sumba – On The Edge Of Wilderness

Nihi Sumba

Nihi Sumba is an unpretentious, luxury haven that blends seamlessly into its surroundings.

Whether you’re looking for the ultimate relaxation experience getting away from it all or a more adventurous getaway, there is no doubt that Nihi Sumba will deliver on all accounts.

Once you arrive at Tambolaka Airport on Sumba Island, you’ll have an hour and a half drive to take in the lush, rugged terrain before arriving at the open arms of paradise.

The Nihi Sumba Story

In 1988 Claude and Petra Graves were searching for the perfect wave and found it at the pristine beach where Nihi Sumba is now perched. They had the idea to create a small resort that would preserve, and allow others to enjoy, this remote area of the beautiful island of Sumba, Indonesia. The resort was named Nihiwatu, the same name early settlers had given to the beach. In 2012 Chris Burch and James McBridge acquired the resort with the desire to turn Nihi into a world renowned retreat, with a key vision for sustainability. In 2016 and 2017 Nihi was voted the number one hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure readers and the Sumba Foundation continues to change the lives of many Sumbanese people.

A large majority of the staff at Nihi are from the island of Sumba and their hospitality and warmth only added to the charm of the resort.

Luxury Villas At Nihi Sumba

There are 28 stunning villas at Nihi Sumba, ranging from 1 bedroom to 5 bedroom villas. All of the villas have private pools and ocean views.

Upon arrival at the resort you will meet your personal butler, known within Nihi as your Guest Kapten. They will take care of your every need during your stay. For seamless service you will exchange numbers so you can communicate with ease via WhatsApp wherever you are on the resort. The service we received from our Kapten Chris was outstanding and nothing was too much trouble for him.

Within the villas you’ll find everything has been thought of for you to enjoy an unforgettable stay in the epitome of luxury. Huge, four poster beds sit centre stage in the bedroom, many with sweeping views of the ocean.

Within every room you’ll find a mini bar with vodka, gin, whiskey, beers and soft drinks that is replenished everyday. Fresh lime and ice also awaits so you can make a perfect G & T to enjoy by your private pool. Savory snacks of cashew nuts and soy crackers are the perfect accompaniment to your afternoon beverage, and for those with a sweet tooth you’ll find a selection of chocolates made by the in-house chocolatier. Yes, Nihi has their own chocolate factory and yes, the chocolate is delicious.

Marangga Villa

We stayed in a Marangga Villa, of which there are 4 at Nihi and to say it surpassed our expectations is an understatement. As our kapten Chris showed us around we were blown away by every detail. From the huge bath to the breathtaking view and the steps that led us down to a wonderful day bed overlooking the ocean.

The pool in these villas is completely private, with no-one overlooking and the close proximity to the ocean provides the welcome sound of crashing waves. If you’re looking to get away from it all and plan to spend a lot of time in the privacy of your villa then we highly recommended the Marangga Villas.

As if that wasn’t enough you get a prime view of Sumba’s famed sunsets over the Indian Ocean from your private outside area.

Restaurants & Bars At Nihi Sumba

Ombak is the sandy-floored main restaurant at Nihi Sumba, overlooking the rolling waves and never ending shore. The carefully selected menus include local and far-away flavours. You won’t be hungry after starting the day at Ombak, with a huge choice for all tastes and delicious bakery items, including toast cooked on an open fire! If you’re hungry try the breakfast burrito, although be warned, you may not have room for lunch! There are also plenty of healthy options, including various juices and smoothies.

Lunch is usually served by the beach and pool area, with a huge choice including pizzas cooked in Nihi’s very own wood-fired oven, seafood tacos and many other choices.

It’s then back to Ombak for dinner with an even larger selection to choose from, as well as different specials everyday. Various themed dinners are also hosted throughout the week, including BBQs and jungle parties with decorations and local dancing.

All meals and soft drinks are included in the room price, but any alcoholic drinks purchased need to be paid for. Every day there is a happy hour at sunset from 5:30-6:30 pm at The Boathouse, which is the ocean front bar at Nihi. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or beer before heading to Ombak for dinner next door.

We were blown away by the food at Nihi, especially considering the remoteness of resort. There was so much choice and everything we had was delicious.

Wellness At Nihi Sumba

Spa

Nihi Sumba takes wellness to another level with its NihiOka Spa. The spa safari can be booked for a day or half a day which usually includes a sweaty 90 minute hike to the spa area first. That’s right the NihiOka spa is so remote it’s not even on the main resort, adding to a spa experience you will have never had before. Don’t worry, if you don’t fancy the hike, the staff will drive you there in one of the resorts open air vehicles. The journey itself takes you through some of the stunning Sumba scenery and past traditional local villages. Make sure to make a stop at the Nihi Wishing Hand, which overlooks the ocean from a beautiful vantage point.

Upon arriving at the spa area you’ll be welcomed by the wonderful staff and a fresh coconut drink they have just cut from one of the many palm trees. It feels like you have arrived at a lost wilderness. The private massage and spa area has stunning views over the ocean below.

During your time there you can enjoy meals cooked on-site in the tree house perched above a secluded, pristine beach. The tough decision is then deciding whether to relax at the infinity pool or head down onto the beautiful beach.

If that wasn’t enough seclusion and relaxation you can even arrange to spend the evening in the luxury villa at the spa. This remote villa overlooks the ocean and has its own wooden staircase going down onto the completely private beach. As far as the meaning ‘getting away from it all’ goes you won’t find it better than at the NihiOka Spa.

There are a range of treatments available from massages, body scrubs and facials. If you prefer there is also the option to have a treatment within the main resort or in the privacy of your villa.

Yoga

For the ultimate yoga experience, whether you’re an expert or beginner, Nihi Sumba offers daily, complimentary yoga classes at a stunning cliff top yoga pavilion. Most days there will be 2 classes available, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon. The resident yoga teacher caters to everyone and private sessions can also be arranged in your villa or in various stunning locations around the resort.

Gym

There is a very small gym on-site with a weights machine, free weights, a punch bag, cross trainer, treadmill and exercise bike. With everything else on offer at Nihi, we doubt this is used that much, but it is nice to have the option to still get in a gym workout.

Treks & Mountain Biking

If you’re looking to get off site for some more adventure there are a range of treks or mountain bike trails you can go on, including going to stunning waterfalls or nearby villages.

Experiences At Nihi Sumba

The Horses Of Nihi Sumba

The stunning horses at Nihi Sumba are a unique and incredible part of this wonderful resort and there are many ways you can up close and personal with these beautiful animals.

One of the most popular activities is swimming with the horses as they cool off in the low tide. They love being in the water and you get to join them for a picture perfect opportunity.

Another unforgettable experience is a ride along the pristine Nihiwatu beach as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. Even if you are a complete beginner one of the brilliant stable staff members will guide you along the beach, occasionally stepping into the crystal clear ocean. If you’re more experienced you will be able to feel the rush of cantering along the shallow waves. For the early risers you can also arrange to go for a ride at sunrise.

You can also ride the horses through bush trails, valleys and past local villages before ending your ride along the beach or if want a different type of experience you can learn the art of horse whispering with in-house expert Carol.

Pasola is a popular event that the locals of Sumba Island take part in every year on different dates in February and March. If you don’t happen to be in Sumba during these dates though you may still be able to catch an exhilarating reenactment on the beach at Nihi Sumba.

The horses are not on the beach all day. So if you don’t have a horse experience booked be sure to check with your Guest Kapten as to when the horses will be on the beach so you don’t miss this spectacular sight. During our visit the incredible horses were on the beach at 11:00 am each morning. At all other times you can visit the horses and friendly staff at the Stablewood Stables. The team leader Petrus has an infectious enthusiasm and love for the horses.

Water Activities

Nihi Sumba has been known for its famous wave “Gods Left” for years and surfers flock here to have a chance at riding the 200-300 metre wave. To keep the experience as special and exclusive as it can be there is a limit of 10 surfers a day. If you’re a beginner or have less experience you can also arrange to have lessons on “God’s Left” depending on the swell or at the calmer waters of nearby Coconut Cove.

Other water-based activities include kitesurfing, paddle boarding, fishing and survival apnea.

Turtle Release

Nihi Sumba has its own turtle hatchery that was setup in response to seeing turtle eggs being sold in local markets. Locals now bring eggs to Nihi and in return they receive a reward for every egg that’s in good condition. 5 of the different turtle species left in the world today are found on Sumba Island so this is an important part of ensuring that continues. The eggs are buried in the sand in the hatchery and after seven to twelve weeks the babies are released into the ocean.

This only happens at certain times of the year and the eggs are usually released at sunset as this is their highest chance of survival. If you’re lucky enough to visit Nihi at the right time of year be sure to ask your Kapten for the times of the release to ensure you can be part of such a special moment.

Chocolate Factory

Have you ever been to a hotel that has it’s very own chocolate factory? Well Nihi Sumba has its own on-site Chris & Charly’s Chocolate Factory which happens to make some of the most delicious chocolate we have ever tried!

We visited the factory on our resort tour and tried the 3 types of chocolate they make. We also learnt more about the chocolate process from the friendly staff. Kids are invited to participate in daily chocolate making and if you want a little extra time to yourself, the kids will have plenty of other entertainment here too, leaving you more time to relax.

How To Get To Nihi Sumba

Despite Nihi Sumba feeling like it’s on a remote paradise island, it’s actually relatively easy to get to. There are 2 daily 90 minute flights to Tambolaka Airport on Sumba Island from Bali and 2 return flights daily also. Nihi Sumba is located around 90 minutes drive from the airport along a main road. You’ll pass by many local villages and lush, green scenery on your way. The best way to arrive is to arrange for one of the hotel staff to pick you up in their open air vehicles or if you would prefer you can even ask them to arrange an entire trip from Bali and back again.

If you’re looking to stay near to Tambolaka Airport on Sumba Island then look no further than Maringi Eco Resort, which is run by the Sumba Hospitality Foundation. All the staff are Sumbanese students learning English and the hospitality trade with some of them going on to work at Nihi Sumba.

Sumba Foundation

The Sumba Foundation is an integral part of Nihi Sumba. It has had, and continues to have, an outstanding impact on the Sumbanese people. The water conditions, health, nutrition and education of thousands of people in Sumba has been improved by the non-profit foundation. Its roots began at the start of the Nihiwatu Hotel and it has continued to grow ever since. Their philosophy is helping the people of Sumba prosper while preserving and respecting the traditions and culture.