NIHI Sumba
*
NIHI Sumba *
Itinerary PDF
Indonesia
Nihi Sumba is one of the world’s most exquisite and unique destination hotels.
A Chris Burch Passion Investment
Twelve years ago, I had the opportunity to visit a tiny resort on an island I had previously never heard of. Back then, I was working as the chief Asia scout for boutique hotels collection company Mr & Mrs Smith. Somehow, Nihiwatu ended up on our radar and I made the trek out to Sumba island—only accessible via a one-hour flight from Bali—to see it.
The hotel had been opened in 1988 by an American surfer, Claude Graves, who aimed to create a semi-luxe and unique surfers’ paradise that would act as a counterpoint to the overcrowded waves of Kuta in Bali. Enterprisingly, Graves had brought village elders from Sumba to visit Kuta and asked them if they wanted the same kind of overdevelopment to happen on their beaches. Horrified, they agreed to offer Graves exclusive rights over a 2.5km stretch of beach that just happened to face one of the world’s best surf breaks.
Over the years, Graves and his rustic-chic Nihiwatu built a cult-like following among surfers. He tightly controlled access, letting no more than nine surfers at a time experience and enjoy Occy’s Left (or “God’s Left”), which was what the break became to be known as. Concurrently the word started to get out to travellers looking for the ultimate desert island retreat. It’s no understatement to say that anyone who visited Nihiwatu in the Graves era left an ardent fan, myself included.
Just months after my visit, it was announced that Graves had decided to sell Nihiwatu to billionaire entrepreneur Chris Burch and renowned hotelier James McBride. The new owners spent two years renovating the property, renaming it and raising the luxe factor significantly—modernising it without sacrificing its soul.
Today, Nihi Sumba boasts 28 ocean-view villas and a host of world-class facilities, ranging from padel courts to horse stables, a private kaiseki restaurant, and one of the most unique and stunning spas in the world. Of course, Occy’s Left is still a key draw for many willing to pay a premium to stay at what is easily the world’s most luxurious and glamorous surf resort.
Hoba Wawi, Wanokaka, West Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Restaurant
Restaurant
Raja Mandaka The main house features a freestanding master bedroom with a lap pool and cold plunge pool, a full second bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a library, living room, an indoor dining room, and a fully equipped kitchen. The vast outdoor entertaining space includes a deck, dining, daybeds, and a covered lounge. It offers the most exquisite view of the coast, with the feeling that you can step out onto the ocean.
Raja Mandaka-A pool.
Raja Mandaka-A living space.
Raja Mandaka-A Bedroom
Raja Mandaka-A Bedroom Balcony
Raja Mandaka-An outdoor Patio
Raja Mandaka-An outdoor patio.
Raja Mandaka
Raja Mandaka-An outdoor patio.
Ariel view from the ocean. Left, center and Right. Will identify appropriate Villa based on desired proximity to public spaces and ocean and then drill down on size. Photos below are general points of interest. The only room shots I drilled down on are titled as Raja Mandaka, captioned under photo. Any other Villa exterior or interior shots are random and untitled.
Airport
Transportations
To reach Sumba, you’ll first need to fly to Bali. There are four daily flights to Tambolaka, Sumba, with the earliest departing at 9:10 AM and the latest at 1:20 PM.
Tambolaka Airport (TMC)
If a challenge for the aircraft of choice: Bali
Travel Advisory
July 24, 2023
Indonesia - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resort