Guest Reviews

“Wow! What an amazing experience we had… That place is like no other and has a special vibration for sure. Not only Alex’s birthday, but being engaged on that secluded private beach barefoot, just us, was absolutely perfect!”

“My stay at NIHI Sumba exceeded my expectations. The service felt genuinely warm and intuitive; it never felt like staying at a hotel. A special thank you to my Guest Captains, Ibu Sarny and Pak Simson, who were nothing short of exceptional.”

“The Spa Safari was one of the most pleasant days of my entire life. Yustin and Lauru are exceptional therapists, Dina and her team were gracious and warm hosts, and a surprise pod of dolphins — spotted through the mirror beneath the massage table — made for a magical, unrepeatable moment.”

“We had a lovely stay. The attention to detail is really what makes our experience completely memorable. The GEM even noticed we hadn’t had dinner yet — the fact that they noticed is actually a big differentiator — and offered in-room dining.”

“In three nights I swam with horses in the ocean at sunrise, did the Spa Safari in a rice field, watched sea turtles being released on the beach, visited local villages and a Sumba Foundation English class, and still made it to a jungle party with fireworks. There is genuinely nothing else like this anywhere.”

“Sarny and Simpson were incredible. Genuine, warm and above and beyond. Every detail from pre-arrival to our entire stay and departure was meticulously met with exceptional service and genuine connections. NIHI will be a core memory.”

“Both our captains were amazing — Aya and Maxy. They were diligent and helped us all around the clock to get the best experience possible. It is really nice to know that Nihi recruits within the Sumba island; we learnt a lot about their culture too.”

“The team were kind, gracious and welcoming. The overall experience was indelible and the sense of community including among the guests was noticeable. We look forward to returning and staying a bit longer.”

“Nihi is a completely unique experience. Upi and Doris elevated the experience to another level — celebrating my birthday with decor, flowers, always being on hand, taking amazing photos of us during the horses experience.”

“NIHI Sumba is unlike anything else in the world. Fifteen visits and it only gets better. I have no desire to stay anywhere else — ever.”

“Upi and Ayu installed WeChat on their personal phones just so they could communicate with us. That is not service — that is family.”

“The Spa Safari was transcendent. My partner and I were treated to an experience so personalised and beautiful that we cried. Nothing in our combined decades of luxury travel has come close.”

“Our honeymoon was made perfect by every single member of the NIHI family — from Upi and Ayu to Erna at F&B, to Evelien and Miguel and the entire equestrian team. You gave us the best week of our lives.”

“Chef Heri’s food was extraordinary — every meal felt like it had been designed specifically for us. And the attentiveness of the staff never felt intrusive, only warm.”

“The surprise birthday video from all our Kaptens made my daughter burst into tears of joy. It was completely unexpected and impossibly touching. NIHI has a gift for knowing what guests need before they ask.”

“I sustained an eye injury on an excursion and within minutes the resort doctor was with me. The care I received was exceptional — and the fact that I am still giving 10/10 says everything about how NIHI looks after their guests.”

“Riding horses on the beach at sunset with our children — that is the image we will carry for the rest of our lives. NIHI does not just create memories; it creates mythology.”

“I have been coming to NIHI for years. What keeps me returning is not just the beauty — it is the people. Asna and the team remembered everything about us from last time. That is extraordinary hospitality.”

“NIHI Sumba is the benchmark. It is the place every other luxury resort aspires to be. We left not just rested, but changed.”

“My weekend at NIHI Sumba was nothing short of extraordinary. NIHI is more than a destination; it is a sanctuary. The landscape, the rhythm of the ocean, and the understated elegance combine into something almost dreamlike. A rare place that stays with you long after you leave.”

“There was a communication breakdown in the beginning. I arrived soaked and exhausted and strongly contemplated leaving the following morning. However, after spending time with Doris, Petrus and Sabine everything turned into one of the most memorable and magical experiences of my travels. I arrived home and felt homesick for NiHi.”

“Ayu and Upi were wonderful, true gems! Everyone was amazing from the moment we arrived in Bali airport for departure. We felt taken care of until our way back to Bali.”

“The experience we had was really magical and dreamy. The moment we stepped into NIHI it was a different kind of experience. The hospitality was so great that we didn’t want our trip to end.”

“The people are what make Nihi magical. Thank you kindly to your entire team, especially our Guest Kapten Yulius and Anangri for their care. Nihi is magic and no wonder it is rated so highly!”

“I spent my birthday at NIHI Sumba and it was truly lovely. Everything was a 10/10 — the food, the service, the staff, the room, the activities, and especially the horses! Many of the one-star reviews seem to come from non-guests commenting on beach access rather than the actual stay experience.”

“This is one of the best hotels I have ever been to. The place and the people are from a different planet. Sumba people are just so nice — hard to describe. The hotel looks at every small detail, just everything. The food is very good and the beaches are so beautiful.”

“We stayed in a Two-Bedroom Villa with a fantastic ocean view. The service was 10/10 throughout the entire stay. The team made us feel genuinely welcome, almost like being at home rather than at a resort. NIHI Sumba delivers authentic luxury in a very warm and personal way.”

“Chef Héri’s food was Michelin quality, and the spa safari out of this world. Words cannot express the feeling of gratitude I have for the entire NiHi family.”

“One of the most memorable stays of my life. The staff are kind and welcoming. The food is delicious and the experiences on property are unparalleled. The values of the property are apparent through their Sumba Foundation work.”

“Nihi lives up to the ridiculously high expectations one has of it. The genuine caring of the staff — most of whom are local, superb and smart — is how completely connected and engaged they make you feel every time. Never a no. Always either yes or here is what we can do. 1000% applause. Thank you, terima kasih.”

“Nihi Sumba hits that sweet spot between high energy and total escape. One minute you’re galloping a horse through the surf, the next you’re floating in your own pool watching the sky turn neon at sunset. It never feels scripted or stuffy — just a constant flow of “wow” moments.”

“The Spa Safari was wonderful — everything very well organised and the therapists were highly skilled. As a travel agency, our own experience is very important. NIHI Sumba is much closer to nature and allows people to truly relax in a way that feels natural and deeply meaningful.”

“This place is immaculate. Quiet beaches, beautiful rooms, amazing staff. Our wellness captains Firos and Domi were amazing. The resident singer Philip at the bar and restaurants made the whole experience extraordinary.”

“Just want to say how hospitable the team were, especially given our sickness when we were there. The accommodation was perfect — spotless, comfortable, beautifully designed in every way.”

“The balance between nature and exclusive experiences is truly outstanding. Chef Heri provided exceptional service, looking after us with great care. Our host Kapten was always prompt in responding to any questions. Thank you once again!”

“The hotel achieved the difficult balance of providing a luxury experience for travellers whilst remaining sensitive to the local community and making a multi-decade effort to give back. If you are ever fortunate enough to have the opportunity to stay here, seize it.”

“Anggri and Yulius were wonderful Kaptens. The Director of F&B organised activities specifically for our family. The Spa Safari was simply outstanding — we could not have asked for more. NIHI is everything we hoped it would be.”

“Every single thing mattered — My Guest Kapten, the Spa Safari, the horses, the food, the sense of this extraordinary place. No challenges whatsoever. NIHI Sumba is unlike anything we have experienced.”

“We visited the school during lunchtime and I scooped rice for 100 children, which was an amazing experience. The connection between luxury and purpose here is real and rare.”