Nihiwatu Resort
Nihiwatu Resort, sitting in the exotic Sumba Island has been praised all over the world. Receiving #1 Hotel in the World for two consecutive years by the reputable Travel + Leisure, Nihiwatu has its loyal reader choose it for its distinguished and splendid experience, and most importantly, eco-friendly and sustainable.
Nihiwatu Resort defeated other world-class hotels including The Spectator Hotel in the United States and Huka Lodge in New Zealand in 2016. Located in Hobawawi Village, Wanikaka, Nihiwatu seated on a private gold sand beach and framed by tropical palm surrounding.
How to Get to Nihiwatu Resort
There are two airports in Sumba Island, and in order to get to the resort, you need to book a flight to Tambaloka Airport, an hour flight from Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali. After arriving in Tambaloka, you will be greeted with fresh coconuts and cake by Nihi Sumba Staff. To get to the “edge of wildness” (as the trademark says) resort you need to take a 90-minute ride through villages. It’s quite a hard ride for visitors who are foreign with Indonesia rural areas. Along the road, you will be presented with scooters and children waving with a smile on their faces whenever they see cars passing by.
Nihiwatu’s Style and Facilities
Nihiwatu consists of more than 20 luxurious villas with each theme such as hilltop villa, surfer villa, or treehouse villa (by far this is the most popular villa) and you may choose the most suitable for you. The villas hold one to five bedrooms. Pick your own villa to your heart’s content for a romantic honeymoon, family vacation, or escapade with your friends. Be rejoiced especially for the beach goers for all the villas are overlooking the Indian Ocean.
The villas’ architecture embodies Sumbanese traditional house with alang-alang grass as the roof and its decorations are scattered with local artworks. The style is mostly open with big windows to see the heavenly view outside.
Almost all the villas have its private infinity pool and some of them are equipped with private veranda to blissfully lounging outside. Bathrooms are equally big and you can pick bathtub or indoor and outdoor shower in your private villa.
To freshen your visit in Nihiwatu, your villas are also equipped with a minibar filled with varies of liquors and supply of ice, enabling you to concoct and enjoy your own drinks with your friends, families or loved one in the solitude of your villa.
Nihiwatu Resort Services
When you reserve a villa in Nihiwatu, you are assigned a private butler to spoil and pamper you during your stay in the resort. Your butler will also take care of your every need, including engaging in wealthy activities provided by Nihiwatu. The staffs work in the resort are mostly locals including the butlers. You may find them having a wee bit of difficulty speaking proper English, but their genuine hospitalities are superb, and their friendly smile will make you at ease and feel very welcomed.
Activities in Nihiwatu
Nihiwatu offers a bunch of activities during your stay ranging from water activities, trekking, equestrian, cultural to wellness activities including turtles releasing. Among water activities are stand-up-paddling, snorkeling in the pristine coastline of Nihi Beach, spearfishing and surfing in the legendary wave Occy’s Left with an experienced instructor.
Those who are into trekking may enjoy Matayangu waterfall and Lapopu Waterfall, these waterfalls are breathtaking sightseeing, relaxing as well as swimming spots and are family friendly.
One of the most prominent activities of Nihiwatu is the spa safari trekking called Nihioka Safari Spa. You may choose half day and full day spa. Situated on a cliff Nihioka offers various treatments with a stunning view of the waves crashing underneath and then continued with lunch on the treetop spa.
Those who travel with children must visit Chris and Charly’s chocolate factory. This unforgettable experience for your little ones is where you can make organic chocolate. There are also dedicated babysitters who will provide quality time for your children from 10 am to 5 pm daily with various games and activities from card games, playing on Pirates’ Ship and many more.
Food
Immersing traditional Indonesian cuisine, western, Italian and Japanese cuisine making dining at Ombak Restaurant is top-notch while relaxing in an open setting area of the restaurant. Rendang sapi (slow cooked beef stew), pasta, and fresh pizza are and many more are on the menus. Cooked on site with fresh and organic ingredients grown in their own garden would leave your tongue craving for more. These dishes are crafted by award-winning Australian Chef Ben McCrae.
Sustainability
Staying in Nihiwatu also means you get the opportunity to immerse yourself with the locals as well as donating to the foundation on a Tour to Sumba Foundation. The donation would be given by the resorts to contribute to Sumba Foundation to create a sustainable development towards the Sumbanese. The foundation works on various projects such as education, health, water supply, and fighting against malaria.
Rates
In order to enjoy this magnificent resort and life-fulfilling experiences, you need to pay for about USD 800 for one-bedroom villa. For you who seek the most luxurious experience with your family or friends, the 5 bedroom estate ranging from about USD 6000 to about USD 12000. Please take in mind that these rates may double up in high season, also 11% government tax and 10% of service charge are not included.
Minimum 3 days stay is required except in high season and Chinese New Year when the minimum stay is 5 days. These rates depend on the season and the villas you choose and may double up on high season. These rates shall cover all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks as well as non-alcoholic drinks), high-speed Wi-Fi, mini bar, laundry, scheduled excursion and activities, yoga and meditation class.
