Nihi Sumba – The embrace of luxury and endless freedom

“A journey to the edge of the wilderness”. That’s what NIHI Sumba feels like, twice voted by Travel + Leisure magazine as Best Hotel in the World, located on the remote Indonesian island of Sumba, about an hour’s flight from Bali. In actual fact, experiencing Nihi Sumba is not just an escape from the ordinary; it’s a return to life as it should be. 
For anyone seeking a connection to something bigger, the island of Sumba is a veritable sanctuary, a haven for adventurers and explorers. The request here is that you come with an open heart and immerse yourself in the marvellous moments that promise to leave you transformed and invigorated. Rejuvenated. More than just a holiday, visiting NIHI Sumba is a meaningful journey, a destination with a purpose. 

One of the first sights, leaving us transfixed, is of dozens of horses galloping freely along the beach towards the sunset. A dream scenario? It does exist and is one of this resort’s most famous features. The horses, mostly retired racehorses that are brought to the beach each day, are of the Sandalwood breed, a breed that is native to the island and known for its endurance and easy temperament.
The design of the resort’s 27 villas and buildings was inspired by traditional thatched structures, to ensure that it perfectly blends into the surrounding habitat. The beachfront villas offer between one and six bedrooms, with an impressive infinity pool, a beach club, a bar and surfboards for those who want to enjoy some exercise. It should be noted that NIHI Sumba is located on a huge estate, offering a multitude of activities such as horse riding, all forms of fishing, snorkelling, stand up paddle, surfing and trekking, as well as yoga sessions. It also has restaurants and a spa, Wild Wellness – which Villas&Golfe will highlight in a few pages – with individual treatment rooms, all with private sea views, inviting a deep holistic immersion.

A journey to the edge of the wilderness.

With its impressive range of attributes, everything at NIHI Sumba seems to be just right, starting with the concept of “luxury without ostentation”, with the focus on privacy. The resort is surrounded by a lush tropical forest, rice terraces, grasslands and two kilometres of white sandy beach with perfect waves, sought out by surfers.
Created by Claude and Petra Graves, the project aims to be sustainable and to operate in harmony with the people of Sumba. With this in mind, the Sumba Foundation has been created, which provides humanitarian development to local communities and promotes projects related to health, sanitation and education. A true oasis, NIHI Sumba invites you to reconnect with your soul, with nature and with the community, not as an escape from everyday life but, as they say, a “return to a life well lived”. 

[...] Leaving us transfixed dozens of horses galloping freely along the beach towards the sunset.

And in this true temple of health and well-being, fresh, quality cuisine with locally sourced ingredients is a must. NIHI Sumba’s own organic gardens, together with an abundance of local fruit, vegetables, spices and herbs from the surrounding villages and farms, help the venue ensure that the menus are packed with flavour and variety. 
There is one thing that is for sure here: there is absolutely no shortage of wonders in this ancient landscape, which has become even more wonderful over time. All activities are geared towards immersing yourself in the island’s ritualistic culture through its unspoilt nature and breath-taking views. In absolute freedom, that knows no bounds.

Text: Carla Martins 
Photos: Rights reserved