Nihi Sumba Island

We stayed at Nihi Sumba for 1 week at the end of March 2026 as a family of 3 with our 4-year-old daughter. Overall, this is a truly special resort with some exceptional qualities, but there are also a number of practical points worth noting for future guests. ⭐ The Positives Location & Setting The location of Nihi is nothing short of spectacular. The sense of exclusivity and remoteness is a huge part of its appeal, and it genuinely feels like you are somewhere very special and far removed from the outside world. Outstanding Staff & Service The staff absolutely made our trip. From arrival to departure, we were made to feel incredibly welcome. What stood out most was the genuine warmth and personal attention. The staff took the time to learn not only our names but also our daughter’s, greeting us personally throughout our stay. It felt as though staff genuinely cared. A special mention must go to Tiara and Meriana, who were exceptional, but most notably to Ayu and Upi. They were phenomenal. From the moment we arrived, they went above and beyond to ensure our stay was seamless and memorable. They built a wonderful relationship with our daughter, who adored them, and they were always on hand whether organising activities, playing padel with myself and my husband, or spending time with our daughter on the beach. Nothing was ever too much for them. They are a real credit to Nihi and we would specifically request them again on any return visit. Babysitting & Children’s Experience The babysitting service was excellent. We had Gerdy throughout our stay, who was incredibly kind and caring. Our daughter loved her and looked forward to seeing her in the evenings. The kids’ club (Wildings) was also very good, with engaging activities and attentive staff. Our daughter attended daily and thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt reassured with her being there. Food & Dining The food quality is outstanding. One of the highlights is the flexibility and variety. Staff will happily prepare smaller portions, allowing you to try a wide variety of dishes across the menu. Every meal felt high quality and well considered. I understand Nihi is currently in the process of constructing a new restaurant which we will look forward to trying in the future. Airport Service The airport experience on arrival was seamless and very well organised, setting the tone for the stay from the outset. Overall Experience We felt that 1 week was enough to experience Nihi fully, though we would certainly consider returning for a longer stay in the future. ⚠️ Points to Be Aware Of / Negatives Capacity & Pool Area When we arrived, the resort was around 60% full, which felt ideal. By the time we left, it had reached full capacity and the difference was noticeable. The main pool area is relatively small for a full resort, and on our final day there was no available space to sit, meaning we stayed in our villa instead. We understand a new pool is under construction, which will likely improve this. Beach Access Limitations One key point to understand is that there is no traditional “sit and relax” beach setup. Due to high tide throughout much of the morning, there is often effectively no accessible beach area at all. This is simply the nature of the location, but something worth being aware of in advance. Villa Allocation & Layout We had originally booked a villa with a separate living area for our daughter’s bed. Upon arrival, we were moved to a different villa (described as an upgrade), which had an incredible location and was particularly convenient with a young child. However, the lack of a separate sleeping space made evenings more difficult, as our daughter’s bed was in the same room, and we often disturbed her returning from dinner. Housekeeping & Laundry Issues Housekeeping was generally acceptable but inconsistent. There were occasions where floors had only been swept rather than properly cleaned, and toiletries were not always replenished without request. The laundry service was a significant disappointment. Several expensive items were damaged, likely due to high heat, and a pair of suede trainers were washed without knowledge after a horse riding experience and completely ruined. Additionally, an item of our daughter’s clothing was treated with bleach after kids’ club after a paint spill, which permanently damaged it. We would strongly advise only sending items to laundry that you would not mind being damaged. Maintenance & Construction We visited at the end of the low season and were aware of potential weather-related damage. However, there was ongoing maintenance throughout the resort daily, including workers repairing pathways in multiple areas. On one occasion, we spent the day at the boat house with approximately 10 workers carrying out repairs nearby, which did detract slightly from the otherwise tranquil setting. Influencer Presence One aspect that noticeably impacted the atmosphere was the number of guests creating social media content. There were frequent instances of people using professional camera equipment, including flash photography during evening meals, and individuals moving around shared spaces (such as the pool and beach) to stage photos and videos. This created a more commercial and less relaxed environment than we had expected for what is marketed as a peaceful, luxury retreat. Other families we spoke to shared similar views. This was especially noticeable as the stays were often short (1-2 days) meaning it was frequent and repetitive. Kids’ Club Environment (Temperature) While the kids’ club itself was excellent, we were surprised that the Chocolate Factory (where it is based) did not have air conditioning. In temperatures of around 30°C, this felt like a notable omission for a children’s activity space. Overall Nihi Sumba is undeniably a unique and beautiful resort with some of the best hospitality we have experienced anywhere in the world. The staff (particularly Ayu and Upi) are what truly elevate the experience and make it memorable. However, there are some practical considerations around capacity, facilities, and operations that are worth noting, particularly for families travelling with young children. With a few refinements, this could easily be one of the most exceptional resorts globally. We are aware Nihi are expanding facilities to include a new pool and restaurant, which we would be keen to experience the difference. As it stands, it is still a very special place, and one we would return to.

Thank you to the entire Nihi Sumba team for creating an unforgettable stay in this true paradise. A huge, heartfelt shout-out to Upi and Ayu, you took care of absolutely everything and made our week nothing short of extraordinary. Every moment was perfect. We are absolutely dreaming of our return!!

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many beautiful places in my life, but Nihi was definitely my top 2. Everything about it was pure magic. From the exquisitely beautiful villas, the stunning beach the unbelievable food (the chef Heri has worked all over the world at 5 star top-tier hotels and his food is unspeakably delicious - don’t miss the braised short beef ribs and s’mores cookies) the sunsets, the horses, the surfing, the spa safari… but my favourite of all was the attentiveness of the staff. They welcomed us with open arms and were there to deliver on and often anticipate our every need. There aren’t many hotels in the world like Nihi Sumba - it just doesn’t get much better.

We’ve been lucky enough to stay in some wonderful hotels around the world, so I don’t say this lightly — NIHI Sumba is unlike anything else. There’s a rawness and soul to this place that no design or ambition can manufacture. It’s remote, it’s immersive, and it gets under your skin in a way that very few places ever do. We left knowing we’d be back. Worth noting for anyone weighing it up — all meals are included, and the food is exceptional. At any comparable luxury property, that alone would cost a substantial amount. You genuinely feel the value. One non-negotiable: the Spa Safari. I genuinely cannot think of another hotel on earth offering anything close to it. For barefoot luxury travelers who think they’ve seen it all — you haven’t. Not until NIHI.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Our recent trip back to Nihi was the ultimate luxury holiday. The staff, in particular Ayu and Upi our guest captains were there to make our experience seem less and unforgettable. The perfect location to completely switch off, relax, whilst offering a variety of experiences for a memorable holiday. The accommodation is lux, and provides the most breathtaking views. Nihi was the perfect romantic getaway for my husband and I, however we cannot wait to bring the kids next time as there’s so much on offer for the whole family.