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The Edge of Wild Beauty: Why NIHI Sumba Is More Than a Resort

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.

NIHI isn’t just a resort. It’s a calling.

This isn’t a destination that dazzles with grandeur. It’s one that hums quietly in your bones, where barefoot days stretch long and unrushed, and the rhythm of the land sets the tone for everything.

Welcome to the Edge of Wildness™
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.

Photo by Tanveer Badal, courtesy of NIHI Sumba

Photo by @alifeiimagined, courtesy of NIHI Sumba

Photo by @alifeiimagined, courtesy of NIHI Sumba

Photo by Read Mckendree, courtesy of NIHI Sumba

Experiences That Stay With You

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.

Photo by Josep Serveto, courtesy of NIHI Sumba

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.

Photo by Gabriel Ulung, courtesy of NIHI Sumba

Dining, Refined by Place
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.

Photo by Tanveer Badal, courtesy of NIHI Sumba

Inside NIHI Sumba

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:
- 28 uniquely designed villas, including treehouse-style suites and multi-bedroom estates
- Boathouse activities including surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and spearfishing
- A dedicated Equestrian Center, offering beach rides and cultural tours by horseback
On-site organic garden that supplies much of the resort’s seasonal cuisine

Photo by Read Mckendree, courtesy of NIHI Sumba

The Sumba Foundation

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.