Nihi Sumba review

If I were to imagine paradise, it’s Nihi Sumba, Indonesia, that would appear first in my mind. It’s more than just a resort — it’s a journey. It isn’t for those seeking flawless polish or urban-style convenience; it’s waking up to waves instead of alarms, watching horses gallop and frolic along the sand, releasing newly hatched sea turtles into the surf, and feeling part of a living culture.

It’s for couples, adventurers, wellness seekers, and anyone who wants to feel fully alive in raw landscapes, surrounded by nature, wildlife, and authentic experiences. So if you’re ready to trade predictability for freedom and create memories that anchor themselves permanently in your imagination, Nihi Sumba is your destination.

Nestled on the Western coast of Sumba Island, Indonesia, approximately 400 km East of Bali, Nihi is often described as one of the world’s most extraordinary barefoot-luxury escapes. 27 villas spanning one to five bedrooms are built into the hills and along the coastline. The roofs are high (culturally representing a closeness to God), all are open planned and spacious and built with natural materials: thatched roofs and polished wooden floors, creating a blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. And we were lucky enough to have stone steps winding down from a sea view balcony leading to the beach below.

The people you find here are a real mix of adventurers and ocean lovers. Founded by surfers, it draws in a huge crowd of those who feel most at home on their boards, arriving here to tackle ‘God’s Left’, a reef break that creates long peeling walls and barrel sections allowing for a 200 or 300 meter long challenging ride. Although, with 10-12 surfers per day in the sea, this unfortunately means swimming is off limits.

This is where the horses take centre stage. To watch them galloping, carefree, along the long stretch of sand is something that will stay with us forever — and riding them was even more unforgettable. But this is far from the only land-based experience. We jumped at the chance to take a jungle trek with a local guide to a nearby waterfall, which culminated in a picnic on a rocky outcrop overlooking a lake with the falls in full view. A word of warning though: the trek is challenging, with slippery jungle paths and plenty of leech-checking stops — not one for the faint-hearted.

Nihi also places a strong focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, using organic produce from its own gardens and nearby waters. We often watched local fishermen hauling in the day’s catch straight onto the beach. Expect breakfast in a treehouse overlooking the jungle, cliffside dinners at sunset, and relaxed beach lunches with nothing but ocean and sky. Thanks to Nihi’s clever design and natural seclusion, we frequently found ourselves dining entirely alone, with the entire coastline to ourselves.

And if unwinding is your goal, there is an extraordinary cliffside off-site spa set amid rice paddies and towering palms, where the journey is part of the experience. You can arrive by open safari vehicle, begin with a 90-minute guided trek through jungle and local villages, or opt for a gentle horseback ride to the property for a half-day or full-day retreat.

What Nihi ultimately offers is a kind of wild luxury that has nothing to do with marble or chandeliers. It’s an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left — one that challenges your perception of luxury itself, enriched by the warmth of the connections made along the way.