With Love. For the people.
A rare and fascinating tale that began when Sumba’s ancestors, the ‘Marapu,’ landed on its secluded beach centuries ago.
Beliefs about their powers vary, but the Marapu spirit has remained a benevolent force on the island, protecting the way of life and attracting custodians whom honor and carry forth the heritage and stories of the Sumbanese people, past and present.
The same beach attracted Claude and Petra Graves in 1988, in search of the perfect wave. From this adventure emerged a vision to create a resort that would preserve and share the breathtaking beauty of Sumba with those who would truly appreciate it. The beach of Nihiwatu, meaning “mortar stone,” was named by early settlers for its isolated rock formation along the tide. The Graves aptly called the resort Nihiwatu for its surrounding legacy.
By 2012, stories of the unregulated freedom and beauty of NIHI reached renowned brand-building American entrepreneur Christopher Burch, who was told Claude was looking for help to expand the resort. Burch called on a friend from New York’s The Carlyle Hotel—South African-born hotelier James McBride, who was President of YTL Hotels in Singapore at the time—to visit Sumba.
Later that year, Burch’s trip with his three sons proved to be a milestone, as he acquired NIHI in partnership with McBride. The acquisition enabled substantial investment with the single priority to evolve NIHI into one of the best resorts in the world, an example of a sustainable operation in harmony with the environment and the Sumbanese people. Travel + Leisure readers globally have voted NIHI as the number one hotel in the world, in all categories, for 2016 & 2017 World’s Best Awards.
Chris Burch
OWNER
Chris Burch, founder and owner of Burch Creative Capital, has been an entrepreneur and active investor across a wide range of industries for forty years. Not only is he an extraordinary business man and creative mind, he is also the driving force of philanthropy where NIHI® is located, funding all operation costs, and giving back to the people of Sumba Island.
Chris Burch
OWNER
Chris Burch, founder and owner of Burch Creative Capital, has been an entrepreneur and active investor across a wide range of industries for forty years. Not only is he an extraordinary business man and creative mind, he is also the driving force of philanthropy where NIHI® is located, funding all operation costs, and giving back to the people of Sumba Island.
Where rugged luxury meets unregulated freedom, Burch Creative Capital invests in the human experience for travelers and locals alike. This naturally led to the establishment of The Sumba Foundation. A foundation committed to providing humanitarian aid, clean water, and creating educational programs, for the local community of Sumba, Indonesia.
“Chris’ kindness and care has touched the hearts of thousands of children and families in the constant quest for eradicating malnutrition for children, malaria by 90 %, and providing water wells to villages amongst many others. During the virus he supported the well being of thousands of people with his huge heart and exceptional generosity.” – James McBride, Partner & CEO, NIHI®.
James McBride
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
A global hotelier who has been at the helm of some of the world’s leading hotels during his thirty-five-year career. Known for his limitless creativity, clever marketing techniques, and exceptional hotel experiences, he has raised the bar in the hospitality industry.
James McBride
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
A global hotelier who has been at the helm of some of the world’s leading hotels during his thirty-five-year career. Known for his limitless creativity, clever marketing techniques, and exceptional hotel experiences, he has raised the bar in the hospitality industry.
James McBride started his journey at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, where he remained for fourteen years. He then spent a further nine years leading preeminent properties, before transitioning to hotel entrepreneur when he partnered with long-time friend and investor Christopher Burch on the acquisition of Nihiwatu, a coveted surf destination in Indonesia at the time.
For the past twelve years, James has not only ensured that NIHI® Sumba has consistently received top industry awards like Best Hotel in the World by Travel & Leisure for two consecutive years and x place on the inaugural World’s 50 Best Hotels list, he is enthusiastically working on the expansion of the brand to realize further opportunities grounded in NIHI®’s doctrine, Edge Of Wildness™, including two new properties, in Costa Rica and Rote Island, Indonesia.
Press & Awards
Across the last 20 years, NIHI Sumba stands alone as the only hotel to be crowned Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Hotel in two consecutive years. In 2024, we were named Indonesia’s Best Hotel by Condé Nast Traveler and ranked #10 by The World’s 50 Best Hotels. In 2025, we proudly won the inaugural Forbes Travel Edge List, embodying the Edge of Wildness.
Nihigram
Welcome to NIHI Sumba.
There’s nowhere quite like it. Sitting on the Edge of Wildness on the remote island of Sumba, just an hour from Bali, it’s a place where wild beauty, adventure and a little bit of magic come together.
#NIHIGram by @teoguarini @yunfancyf
Merdeka! 🇮🇩
Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia! 🇮🇩
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#nihigram by @childsphotos
Merdeka! 🇮🇩
@nihi bangga menyebut Indonesia sebagai rumah kami. Dari Sumba, kami berdiri bersama untuk merayakan Hari Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia yang ke-81.
Mari kibarkan Sang Merah Putih dengan bangga dan rayakan semangat, kehangatan, serta kebersamaan yang menjadikan Indonesia begitu istimewa. Rakyat Indonesia memiliki hati yang besar dan semangat yang tak tergoyahkan.
Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia! 🇮🇩
Merdeka! @nihi are proud to call Indonesia home. From Sumba, we stand together to celebrate Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day.
Today, we fly the red and white flag high and celebrate the warmth, spirit and togetherness that make this country so extraordinary. The people of Indonesia have huge hearts and an unbreakable spirit.
Happy Independence Day, Indonesia! 🇮🇩
#HariMerdeka #Indonesia #NIHISumba
Some places live up to the dream. NIHI Sumba is the kind of dream you don’t want to wake up from.
Come and see what everyone’s dreaming about.
No trending audio. No soundtrack needed.
Just the rhythm of Sumba. The ocean, the horses, the wind through the palms and the sounds that make this place feel like nowhere else.
After an unforgettable first Healing with Horses retreat on the Edge of Wildness, we’re delighted to announce that Candice Webster will return to NIHI Sumba in 2027.
Our inaugural retreat brought together the extraordinary energy of Sumba, our Sandalwood horses and Candice’s intuitive approach to equine healing for five deeply transformative days of connection, renewal and discovery.
In 2027, we return to the herd for two intimate retreats:
1–6 June 2027
8–13 June 2027
Spaces are limited. Each retreat offers the opportunity to slow down, reconnect and experience the profound relationship between horses, nature and self.
Full details and enquires are available via the retreat page, linked in our bio.
A true @nihi journey that has only just begun.
Cherish is a graduate from the Rote Hospitality Academy. Today, he is proudly part of the team at @nihirote, welcoming guests from around the world and sharing the beauty, culture and stories of the island he calls home.
@rote_hospitality_academy is proud to help create opportunities for Rote’s next generation, providing the skills and pathways to build their futures on the island.
Where culture runs deep and nature remains wild.
From ancient traditions and the enduring bond between the Sumbanese people and their horses, to untouched coastlines, rolling hills and endless horizons, Sumba is a place shaped by both its people and the land they call home.
At NIHI, every journey is a chance to experience the island as it has been for generations: raw, beautiful and deeply connected to its roots.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
Mornings to dream about.
Wake to the sound of rolling waves, swaying palms, and birdsong as the island slowly comes to life. Here, peace isn’t something you have to search for, it’s all around you. In the quiet, away from the everyday, you’ll find space to reconnect with nature, with the moment, and with yourself.
The simplest mornings often leave the greatest impression.
Experience one of NIHI Sumba’s most magical moments: swimming with horses at Nihiwatu Beach.
Deeply woven into Sumbanese culture, the local people have bathed their horses in the ocean for generations. More than just an adventure, it’s a rare opportunity to connect with these incredible animals while experiencing a tradition that has been passed down through the ages.
Join the daily swimming with horses experience and discover one of Sumba’s most beautiful and authentic rituals.
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