Galloping along sandy shores, the sea breeze filling your soul at the top of an island hike, sunsets and outdoor fire-roasted dinners that satisfy primal pleasure; the island of Nihi Sumba invites you to embrace them all. Just east of Bali, with 3 direct flights a day, this is a magical haven and a rare mix of luxury and raw natural escapism. Scattered across 27 uniquely designed villas, each with a private pool, the resort is “a place to connect with something larger than oneself.”
The story of Nihi began when American entrepreneur Chris Burch first invited hotelier James McBride to Sumba. “On that first trip, I was immediately struck by how much Sumba felt like Africa, yet layered with Asian traditions,” James told us. “The landscapes, the dowries with buffalo, the warmth of the people - it was this rare fusion of two worlds that captivated me.”
It was discovering Nihioka where this whole journey really took root for James. Still his most cherished spot on the island, James explained he “found it by chance while hiking - wild, untouched and full of energy. Over time, that place slowly transformed into what we now call the Spa Safari. It wasn’t conceived all at once; it evolved organically, shaped by the land itself and the experiences we created there.”
Nihi Spa Safari™ captured by Joe Kelly
When it comes to unwinding, the Nihi Spa Safari™ takes relaxation to the next level. It all begins with a 90-minute horseback trek (or a safari jeep ride, if you’d rather), meandering through lush jungle, past local villages, and rolling rice paddies. Once you arrive, prepare to be pampered with luxurious spa treatments atop emerald cliffs, gazing out at the sparkling ocean below.
After falling in love with Nihi, James made the transition from city living to embrace life on the island. The scale and space, “combined with the humility and simplicity of the Sumbanese, gives life here a rhythm and a perspective that’s impossible to replicate anywhere else,” he said.
And it’s this local island community that truly helped shape Nihi Sumba. “From the very beginning, Chris and I knew Nihi could only exist in partnership with the Sumbanese. Their resilience, humility, and joy are woven into every guest experience. I’ll never forget spending three months with them during the coronavirus — it was a lesson in gratitude and simplicity that reshaped me.”
“The Sumbanese people remind me daily that happiness comes not from possessions but from gratitude and community,” he beamed.
James invites everyone to experience Nihi and fall in love with it the way he and Chris have. “The combination of land, people, and culture will change you in ways you can’t anticipate…”
To find out more and book your own adventure, visit www.nihi.com.
