NIHI Sumba
Hotel · Sumba Barat ·
Private villas, surfing, spa safari, and community focus
Information
Hoba Wawi, Wanokaka, West Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia Get directions
Private villas, surfing, spa safari, and community focus
Hoba Wawi, Wanokaka, West Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia Get directions
"On a remote Indonesian island where wild horses still roam golden beaches, this resort’s Equine Healing at Nihi—founded by Carol Sharpe—nurtures an intuitive bond that sees the horse as a carrier of spirit as much as a companion. What began with two small native ponies 12 years ago has become a holistic wellness practice rooted in empathy and energy awareness, anchored by a clifftop spa sanctuary that keeps horses on-site around the clock for wellness purposes. Guests are invited to slow down and explore the unseen dialogue between human and horse, and in 2026 a new Telepathic Communication with Horses retreat will guide participants to notice impressions—colors, sensations, words—as energetic exchanges. The reported outcomes are quietly powerful: emotional breakthroughs, couples finding renewed harmony, and families discovering a shared calm, aligning with science that points to reduced cortisol, balanced heart rhythms, and a felt sense of coherence when standing in resonance with another being." - Chloe Frost-Smith
"Beyond its world-class waves, this island escape hums with Sumba’s spirit and story — from megalithic tombs and sacred stone altars to the animist Marapu rituals still practiced in quiet reverence. Guests are invited into this cultural richness, whether riding sandalwood ponies along the beach or cooling off beneath the cascading Lapopu Waterfall, reached by a scenic 40-minute drive through Wanukaka Valley. Nature dazzles at every turn: from the electric-blue waters of Nihiwatu Bay to the emerald quilt of rice paddies beyond, in a living, breathing landscape where soul meets sky and wonder never tires." - Faye Bradley
"A luxury property on a rural, wild Indonesian island that benefits from a favorable dry season in summer—ideal for surfing, hiking, and relaxing on dramatic beaches; the resort is noted as a repeat World’s Best Award recipient." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"At Nihi Sumba, a quick 50-minute flight from Denpasar, a wilder sort of luxury reigns, where adventure (one of the world’s best private waves, God’s Left, is in front of the hotel) and solitude—550 acres of sand and forest—is more prized than pomp. As if the Cast Away vibes weren't strong enough, the resort also offers a Robinson Crusoe–style, three-villa treehouse in addition to its 27 villas. Round out your stay with the very active to-do list on the island: Catching a wave on Occy's Left and horseback riding over at Sandalwood. With strong ties to the local community and an ethos that channels the rustic surf hotel it once was, Nihi has managed the near impossible: five stars and cool." - CNT Editors
"This Indonesian property elevates spa offerings into an immersive spa safari that transforms a standard treatment into a full-day, surprise-driven ritual; the experience is highly recommended by advisors for its originality and the way it reimagines expectations of what a spa can be." - Travel + Leisure Editors Travel + Leisure Editors Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines