Nihi Sumba

Laucala ended up being the best place I've ever stayed, narrowly edging out my stay in the owner's villa at Nihi Sumba, which I had previously thought was in a class of its own.

I've experienced what some consider the best resorts worldwide, and Nihi Sumba was previously my gold standard — specifically the owner's villa experience. The comparison point shows just how exceptional Laucala had to be to surpass what I experienced at Nihi, which really speaks to Nihi's incredible quality and unique position in the luxury resort landscape.

Our butler service took too long — for all requests we had to wait 30 minutes to an hour, and after reminders they did come, but I expected better service.

The beach is amazing and the food was great, but the service timing was disappointing. Having to wait that long for butler responses and needing to send reminders doesn't match the premium you're paying. The property itself is very nice, but the service execution needs improvement to justify the rates.

Had a day pass there and it's a beach club — I paid premium price just to play with horses and eat lunch, but management asked me to put a shirt on while eating.

The horse experience was great and the view is stunning, but everything felt quite messy for a premium-priced property. I wasn't sure why the manager insisted I wear a shirt while eating when I paid premium day-pass rates. The overall execution didn't match the pricing for what's essentially a beach club experience.

We were really disappointed with our stay at Mendaka Surf Villa for $2200/night — I don't think it's worth going unless you're a surfer or obsessed with horses.

The flight situation is a genuine nightmare — our departure was canceled and there were no seats for three days, forcing another couple to extend their stay out of pocket. Even getting emails in languages I couldn't read made me nervous every time. The service felt intrusive rather than attentive, and our outdoor bathroom situation wasn't something I loved. For $2200/night, I expected much better execution.

We paired Nihi with Amanjiwo this trip and thought that really worked well together — the property is stunning and sits on a hill overlooking their private 2.5km beach.

I'm currently three days into a five-night stay and can say the architecture takes inspiration from traditional Sumbanese houses with thatched roofs and high ceilings. All the rooms here are actually villas, so you get a lot of private space. The flight situation is genuinely challenging — only domestic budget airlines operate from Bali with morning and afternoon flights, and I'd definitely recommend having Nihi help with bookings since we had disruptions.

Coming from Amanjiwo, I was initially annoyed by the different service style, but you realize the hotel is staffed by locals who bring genuine warmth rather than polished training.

The service is different from Aman — more barefoot luxury with staff who are genuinely kind rather than just trained to smile. We arrived at noon and had to wait two hours for our room, but it was good timing for lunch. The place has this authentic hospitality that grows on you, even if it's not the seamless precision you get at top-tier properties.

From the departure in Bali airport until farewell upon checkout, everything was flawless — this wasn't just another luxury hotel stay, it was a beautiful experience.

The staff at both airports ensure your check-in and departure is smooth as possible. After a quick lunch with ocean view, we checked into our gorgeous wooden house that's traditional yet very comfortable — barefoot luxury at its best. Our guest captains Ayu and Upi made us feel so special and helped in every way they could. The spa safari experience was the best decision ever.

This feels less like a hotel and more like a carefully protected world where natural beauty, culture, and purpose are held in rare balance — barefoot luxury done perfectly.

The setting is unreal: dramatic coastline, powerful surf, rolling hills, and intentional isolation rather than just remote. Through the Sumba Foundation, they've funded medical clinics, malaria reduction, clean water access, and education that meaningfully improved life for thousands. You feel that connection everywhere — in staff pride, resort operations, and knowing your stay contributes to something larger than luxury travel.

Every staff member was attentive, kind, and sincere, always going the extra mile with thoughtful gestures that made everything feel personal — service never felt forced, just genuine hospitality.

The property is breathtaking with endless ocean views, pristine beaches, and beautifully designed villas that blend perfectly with nature. The activities were incredible, from horseback riding on the beach to exploring Sumba's natural beauty. The food was amazing with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and great variety. This isn't just a luxury resort — it's a place that touches your heart.

Our two-bedroom villa opened to endless ocean views, and our private pool became the most serene afternoon spot — every detail felt curated and beautifully executed.

The food was sensational — fresh, inventive, and delicious at every meal. When my husband fell ill, the kitchen prepared homemade chicken soup just for him, reflecting the resort's extraordinary care. The Spa Safari is an experience I'll remember forever, from quiet cinematic landscapes to deeply restorative treatments. It was luxurious, soulful, and second to none.

Google should start allowing six-star reviews for places like this — I've stayed at the most renowned luxury hotels worldwide, but Nihi surpasses them all.

The staff are incredible — always attentive yet know when to step back so you never feel overwhelmed. The setting is breathtaking, food worthy of the finest restaurants, and every detail is anticipated. If you're playing Padel tennis and it gets dark, someone's already turning on the lights. When my bracelet broke, a team member quietly repaired it for me. This is the first time I genuinely want to return to a hotel.

I waited 24 hours after leaving before writing this review because I needed to process just how special this island and resort is — it's the sort of place you feel conflicted about reviewing.

We came for my 50th birthday celebration and each family member was blown away by our five nights. The landscape around the resort is immaculate, and the beach needs to be seen to be believed. Before arriving I was concerned about all-inclusive food quality, but every meal was fantastic with different nightly themes, extensive menus, and incredibly fresh, tasty ingredients.

Very expensive but worth it — insanely immaculate resort with not a flower or blade of grass out of place, phenomenal service via individual guest captains, and literally world-class surf.

The individual guest captains ensure phenomenal service throughout your stay. The surf is literally world-class, making it worth the significant expense. Everything about the resort maintenance is absolutely perfect — every detail is maintained to the highest standard. It's definitely worth saving up for if you can't immediately afford it.

We stayed for a week during our honeymoon and had the most incredible experience — rooms have all expected luxuries while still feeling like laid-back beach bungalows.

The staff were attentive from landing to departure, and the resort is boutique and private. Surf instructors got us surfing on day one — Nihi owns one of five private surf waves in the world, which was quiet and exclusive, awesome for both advanced surfers and beginners. You can ride the horses bareback in the ocean and along the beach, though they're not quite as wild as Instagram suggests.