Nihi Sumba, a luxury resort on Sumba Island in Indonesia, offers a tranquil escape where relaxation and understated elegance harmoniously coexist.
Set within 567 acres of pristine jungle, the resort provides a refined sense of luxury that remains effortlessly unpretentious.
“NIHI is a place like no other,” NIHI Partner & CEO James McBride told Diplomatic Network (Asia) in an interview.
Relaxation over outlandishness
“What NIHI offers its loyal following of discerning and often high-profile guests is the luxury of unregulated freedom. NIHI provides the luxury of space and time to disconnect and unwind. The island of Sumba is remote, untouched, and utterly beautiful,” McBride said.
NIHI draws in its visitors with an air of relaxation that permeates their pores, rather than the outlandishness that characterizes many high-end resorts.
“Rather than impressing with over-the-top or fancy accoutrements, NIHI quietly wows guests from all over the world with its unique brand of barefoot luxury and utterly relaxed style,” McBride said.
“NIHI gets under the skin and keeps guests wanting to return, again and again.”
Where the visitor’s story begins
The NIHI experience begins at the airport in Sumba, McBride explained, where guests are met and chauffeured in open-air safari vehicles through the colorful Sumbanese landscape to the luxury resort.
Once a guest arrives and settles into one of the 27 private villas, they are introduced to their NIHI butler.
“Throughout their stay, a guest’s butler is their ‘go-to’ for any special requests, questions, or needs. The butler is always contactable via WhatsApp, and their sole focus is on the comfort and happiness of NIHI guests. NIHI butlers can make [almost] anything happen!”
Remote and private
For diplomats, security is of utmost importance, given the sensitive nature of their responsibilities and the need for discretion in all aspects of their work.
“Given NIHI’s remote location on the island of Sumba, there are few hotels around the world quite as private and secure. With only 27 villas, there are never more than around 60 guests at NIHI—it’s very private, and guests truly feel cosseted and safe within the NIHI family,” McBride said.
Dining off the land
Turning to food, NIHI’s Ombak Restaurant is one of the standout experiences for visitors.
With soft sand beneath your feet and the soothing sound of waves in the distance, the restaurant’s laid-back setting serves as the perfect backdrop for unforgettable dining experiences.
Guests can savor a fusion of Indonesian favorites and Western classics, with many seafood dishes featuring the day’s fresh catch from local shores, complemented by organic ingredients sourced directly from NIHI’s own garden.
“There is also a very special—and tiny—sushi restaurant called Kaboku, with Japanese chefs preparing exquisite dishes from the fresh catch,” McBride said.
At lunchtime, the Nio Beach Club serves lighter fare, fresh seafood, wood-fired pizzas, and flavorful grills in open-air pavilions by the sea.
“As close to heaven as it gets”
At NIHI, guests can fill their days with a variety of activities, from horse riding and yoga to surfing, snorkeling, and hiking to nearby waterfalls, or exploring the work of the Sumba Foundation.
“Days at NIHI can be as active or relaxed as guests want,” McBride said.
“A totally memorable—and unique to NIHI—activity and excursion in one is the Spa Safari. For the adventurous, the safari begins with a hike to a remote part of the island through rice paddies and Sumbanese villages before arriving at what could be nirvana: a jaw-droppingly beautiful setting where private bales overlook the sea.”
After breakfast in a treehouse setting prepared by NIHI chefs, guests select from a chalkboard menu of spa treatments, which will set up the next half to full day as they enjoy as many treatments as they choose.
During breaks between treatments, guests can unwind at a secluded swimming pool or relax on a private beach, either before or after their spa experience.
“It’s as close to heaven as it gets!” McBride said.
