NIHI Sumba offers exclusive escapism with a clean conscience. Eco focused combined with chic contemporary luxury and ambiance…
NIHI Sumba is one of the most acclaimed and innovative resorts in the entire region. The style is elegant, deliberately simple, chic boutique luxury, but with a conscious and real sense of social responsibility.
The setting is stunning. Perched on a hilltop overlooking a 1.5 -mile beach whilst behind you there are rice fields and forests. The total estate is huge, covering over 175 hectares (think of 175 football pitches to give a rough idea of the size !) with the actual resort occupying just a relatively small area.
Sumba Island is located less than one-hour flight south-east of Bali by domestic flight (daylight hours only), flying into Tambolaka Airport. From there you continue on a 90-minute drive across the rural countryside to reach the resort. Consider the journey to be part of your travel experience. It’s all part of what makes a holiday here so special – if it was easy to access from Bali Airport it would be much less exclusive.
Sumba is just one of 17,000 Indonesian islands and it has its own unique culture, totally different to Bali in virtually every way which again rather adds to the attraction. It is still one of the poorest islands with mainly agricultural farming and “house “ textile industry. A population of just over 700,000 – which is almost a village by Indonesian standards. Expect to find rice fields, cattle, dense forests, mountains and waterfalls, and a few glorious beaches. The roads, whilst improving, are best experienced with a local driver.
In keeping with the responsible philosophy of the resort, 90% of the staff you will encounter are taken from local communities, and much of the food, especially the vegetables, will be sourced from their own organic gardens. The resort is an active participant in the conscious development of Sumba, helping to fund essential infrastructure and schooling.
NIHI Sumba has a choice of 27 highly individual villas, spread around the extensive grounds.
All are sea-facing and incredibly spacious within and out living space, including a private swimming pool.
There is a selection of one up to five bedrooms, in eleven different design themes, but each is consistent in the quality and style. Luxurious contemporary comforts, but with a real sense of destination. Each bedroom is air-conditioned. Smoking is allowed in open areas but not in the rooms. The villas do not have TV’s, but all have WI-FI.
The resort operates on a sort of Asian All- Inclusive basis so the rates include breakfast, lunch & dinner, morning and afternoon snacks and all non – alcoholic drinks (alcoholic drinks can be purchased of course)
Wi-Fi in each room and around the main public areas
Stocked mini bar daily with soft drinks and water and beers and spirits
Laundry service daily (dry cleaning not available on the island)
Tour of Sumba foundation included, as well as mountain bikes, Paddleboarding, and snorkeling equipment (weather permitting)
Health club with small group Yoga and Pilates
Additional services available at an extra cost will be any spa treatments, alcoholic drinks, fishing trips, motorised water sports, private training sessions for Yoga and Pilates, island sightseeing, horseriding, babysitting/childcare.
NIHI Sumba is totally stunning, both in concept and delivery. Superb accommodation. A real sense of adventure and the thrill of discovering something new and unique.
NIHI is essentially romance and couples focused, although it also makes a great family time bonding retreat.
As the resort has numerous steps and pathways it would not be suitable for those with mobility issues.
The pleasures of Sumba Island are simple and naturally authentic. It’s rural, with a pace of life that hardly moves above first gear. It is so different from Bali, although the shy smiles are just as wide.
We would suggest a combination with Bali, maybe starting with one of the luxurious hotels in Nusa Dua or Seminyak.
We particularly like The Legian or The Samaya where you have superb dining and shopping experiences all around you.
Then up to Ubud for two or three nights, where we would suggest Chedi Club, The Samaya Ubud or maybe the new Capella. And then fly across to Sumba.
We strongly suggest you spend your first and last night in Bali if you are travelling from/to an international point.
Weatherwise, Sumba generally is at its most settled April through to October, when the days are usually bright and sunny and the seas calmer. Saying that July/August can see increased wave activity. November to March is the time when you see more rain, usually in short heavy tropical showers.
Indonesia is located on the so-called “Ring of Fire”. As such, earthquakes are almost a daily occurrence in some parts of the archipelago. Anything less than five on the Richter scale of earthquakes hardly breaks a stride locally and is barely reported. There are 130 active volcanoes in the country, some have been docile for years, others seem to grumble more frequently. So in reality, you can have a natural disturbance, but the chances of it actually happening to you are rare. A little tremble quite probably, anything more serious unlikely.
The Truth About Earthquakes & Volcanoes
Indonesia is located within the dramatically named “Ring of Fire”. As such, earthquakes are almost a daily occurrence in some parts of the archipelago. Anything less than five on the Richter scale of earthquakes hardly breaks a stride locally and is barely reported. There are 130 active volcanoes. Some have been docile for years, others seem to grumble more frequently. So in reality, you can have natural a disturbance, but the chances of it actually happening to you are rare. A little tremble quite probably, anything more serious unlikely. Neither earthquakes or volcanic eruptions are seasonal.
NIHI Sumba, Sumba Island, Indonesia
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+ About Lombok (and Gili Islands) – Indonesia
Lombok is a neighbouring island to Bali. Equally scenic, with maybe even better beaches, Lombok is a much quieter, less developed alternative.
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