SURF AND SPA ON SUMBA
This surf-lodge-meets-rustic-spa on a remote Indonesian island attracts a soulful crowd.
WHY IT’S SPECIAL
Known as “lost-world island”, underthe-radar Sumba is home to Nihi Sumba (0062 361 757 149; nihi.com) – a humble surf lodge transformed into something rather swish, with private pools and day beds that become proper beds at night for glorious glamping to the sound of the waves. There’s also the new Villa Rahasia, a one-bedroom treehouse villa overlooking the Indian Ocean with a freshwater pool, a private cove and a spa sanctuary for unlimited treatments such as Indonesian “Lulur” body exfoliations (regarded as traditional medicine), then a complete switch-off for a night in the wilderness.
Add to this the wonder workout of surfing, yoga on a breathtaking platform set atop a cliffside ridge, galloping on horseback along the beach and heart-thumping hikes. A typical spa this is not. Food champions local flavours in
fresh produce from the organic gardens, and fish is caught daily. Even toast has a wild edge – it is always cooked over an open fire, never in a toaster.
YOU’LL NEVER FORGET
A new-found type of morning meditation: watching silhouettes of surfers riding early morning waves from your villa, while sipping your first mug of morning coffee. Nihi is famous for its mile-and-a-half-long beach fronting one of the world’s most coveted waves, known as “Occy’s Left” (after Australian surfer Mark Occhilupo).
EXPERT TIPS
Check out the set date retreats which are led by high-profile wellness practitioners from around the world. Previously this has included yoga influencers; programmes feature trips to nearby villages, working with the Nihi Foundation, and horseback rides on the beach.
HOW TO DO IT
Garuda Airlines (garuda-indonesia. com) flies directly to Bali from London. Sumba is a one-hour flight from Bali and there are daily flights from Ngurah International Airport in Denpasar. After the 50-minute flight from Bali to Tambolaka, it’s another hour and a half on land. Rates at Nihi Sumba start at approximately £665 per villa per night. The resort’s Villa Rahasia costs from £1,590 per night, based on two sharing on a full-board basis and including all spa treatments.