Stepping through the portal
Stepping through the portal
By PORTALTO Editor
23 July 2025
Some places you visit. Others awaken something deeper. On the far-flung coastlines of Sumba Island, Indonesia—where rugged cliffs meet the endless Indian Ocean and wild horses gallop through misty mornings.
At NIHI, the wild isn’t tamed. It’s celebrated. Nestled along 2.5 kilometers of private beach and surrounded by 270 hectares of unspoiled nature, the resort isn’t built on the land—it’s in conversation with it. 28 villas, each sculpted with Sumbanese materials and soul, offer privacy without isolation. Think: open-air showers, thatched rooftops, private pools, and views that melt time.
But NIHI’s magic lies in how it makes you feel. There’s no dress code, no itinerary pressure—just a sense that you're exactly where you need to be. Staff—93% of whom are local—don’t just serve, they share. With warmth, stories, and a rooted pride in Sumba’s heritage.
Wake up to the hush of waves and begin your day with stand-up paddleboarding or a walk through rice fields glowing in the morning light. Ride a horse into the ocean. Let the ocean breeze carry your laughter during Happiest Hour at the Boathouse. Learn to weave stories into cloth from local artisans. Dine under the stars with fresh-caught fish and fiery sambal.
The Nihioka Spa Safari™ is a journey in itself: arrive by foot, horseback, or safari jeep through the Sumba jungle, past local villages, and across expansive rice fields, then spend hours in an open-air bale overlooking two private beaches, immersed in nature and deep restoration.
For those drawn to connection, the Sumba Foundation and surrounding village visits offer more than a glance—they offer perspective. And in that, purpose.
From sunrise to starlight, NIHI’s culinary offerings are a celebration of land
and sea. Ombak—the main restaurant—sits suspended above the ocean, serving
dishes as soulful as their surroundings. Nio Beach Club, nestled by the
resort’s pool, invites long lunches of wood-fired pizzas, grilled
catch-of-the-day, and barefoot ease.
Craving precision? Kaboku, the resort’s intimate omakase restaurant, offers a seven-course Japanese tasting experience, where every bite is a quiet moment of perfection.
And for those who prefer solitude? In-villa dining delivers the same warmth and freshness, with nothing but the ocean as your soundtrack.
NIHI Sumba isn’t one-size-fits-all. The resort offers a range of villas—each
with its own personality and panoramic views. From family-friendly retreats to
romantic hideaways perched on the cliffside, every stay is rooted in natural
materials, thoughtful design, and barefoot elegance.
The resort features:
NIHI’s story is deeply intertwined with the community around it. In the resort’s early days, founders Claude and Petra Graves lived much like the local villagers—without electricity, running water, or access to nearby clinics. Their experiences, especially battling malaria firsthand, sparked a mission to help address the same challenges faced by the local community.
In 2001, they joined forces with former guest Sean Downs to establish The Sumba Foundation®, a U.S.-based non-profit organization. Since then, the foundation has created life-changing impact across the island by improving access to healthcare, clean water, nutrition, and education for tens of thousands of Sumbanese people.
Guests at NIHI can learn more and even participate in this legacy of giving, making their stay more than just meaningful—it becomes part of a much larger story of change.
To call NIHI just a luxury resort misses the point. This is a place that moves differently.
It's a retreat for the soul. A playground for the curious. A pause from the loudness of life—and a return to what really matters.
Here, travel isn’t just about escape. It’s about coming back to yourself.
And once you feel it, you’ll understand why travelers from around the world leave changed—already plotting their return to the Edge of Wildness™.
NIHI Sumba
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