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
For over two decades, NIHI Sumba has stood among the world’s most extraordinary resorts and remains the only hotel in Travel + Leisure’s history to be named the #1 Hotel in the World for two consecutive years. In 2026, NIHI was awarded Three MICHELIN Keys for the second consecutive year and ranked #35 among The World’s 50 Best Hotels, following recognition from Condé Nast Traveller in 2024 and Forbes Travel in 2025.
Nihigram
Mornings at Nio Beach Club, where the first dip of the day comes with sweeping views of Nihiwatu Beach.
With the sound of the waves, the warmth of the Sumba sunshine and the beach just footsteps away, there’s no better place to begin your day at NIHI Sumba.
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
Raw, wild and beautifully untouched. Sunrise at NIHI Sumba, where local fishermen head out to sea as the first light of day breaks over the coastline.
As the sun sets, horses make their way along the beach, ridden by Sumbanese horsemen dressed in traditional ikat, a beautiful reflection of the island’s rich cultural heritage.
These are the scenes that make Sumba so extraordinary, where centuries of tradition remain part of everyday life and the connection between the people, their horses and the land runs deep. 🤍
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
Wake up to uninterrupted oceanfront views at Marangga Villa, dive into your private plunge pool and spend sun soaked afternoons with a glass of wine in hand, accompanied by the soothing sound of the ocean.
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
The beauty of NIHI Sumba is found in moments like these.
The gentle ocean breeze, the sound of waves washing against the shore, and our horses peacefully enjoying their daily swim in the turquoise waters of Nihiwatu Beach.
Enjoy your morning swim at Nio Beach Club, surrounded by untouched nature, where the serenity of the island invites you to slow down and appreciate the magic of simply being here.
Netflix is great, but imagine playing a tennis match at NIHI Sumba.
Horses wandering nearby, the ocean breeze drifting across the court and the sound of waves crashing onto the shore.
Welcome to the Ride & Racquet Club, where even a game of tennis feels extraordinary.
AI could never replace this.
Quite literally one of the most beautiful sights on earth. A herd of horses running free, as nature intended, along the shores of Nihiwatu Beach.
The thunder of hooves against the sand, manes flying in the wind and the sheer beauty of watching them gallop together against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
Some moments are simply too beautiful to recreate. 🤎
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
Introducing Raja Puncak, NIHI’s spectacular brand new three bedroom villa.
Our newest villa sits at the highest point of the resort, with sweeping views over Nihiwatu Beach and the wild landscapes of Sumba.
An endless infinity pool, private check-in and cocktails at sunset create an extraordinary setting to experience the raw, wild beauty of Sumba from above.
A new icon at NIHI. This is Raja Puncak.
From Nihiwatu Beach, set out on horseback beyond NIHI and into the Sumbanese landscape, riding through palm-shaded jungle, rice fields and local villages.
Along the way, you may find yourself caught in a very Sumbanese kind of traffic jam as a local farmer guides his water buffalo towards the beach.
It is these unscripted encounters that make riding at NIHI Sumba so special, a journey shaped by the landscape, the people and the everyday rhythm of island life.
The magic of Nihiwatu Beach reveals itself slowly, from the soft morning mist to the last light of sunset.
Mist hangs over the coastline, horses move across the sand, and scenes of Sumbanese culture unfold along the shore. As the sun slips lower, turtles make their way towards the ocean and the whole beach seems to slow for a moment.
Wild, beautiful and completely Sumba.
#nihigram @alifeiimagined
NIHI is a place that feels almost like a dream, surrounded by the raw beauty of the island, untouched nature, wild beaches and a culture that remains deeply rooted in tradition.
Days are spent watching horses along the shoreline, taking in dramatic landscapes and looking out across the Indian Ocean from the privacy of your own villa.
The kind of place that belongs on a bucket list. A journey worth travelling across the world for, and a dream you never quite want to wake up from.
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