| Hotelier Indonesia

The prestigious award affirms NIHI Sumba as a destination where authentic hospitality meets connection, culture, and nature

NIHI Sumba Receives Three Michelin Keys in Recognition of Its Iconic Spirit of Freedom and Refined Luxury

Sumba, Indonesia — October 2025 — NIHI Sumba proudly joins an elite circle as one of only three resorts in Indonesia to receive the distinguished Three-Key distinction in the 2025 MICHELIN Key Awards, a new accolade from the MICHELIN Guide recognizing the world’s most exceptional hotels. The honor celebrates properties offering “An extraordinary stay” — a rare designation that places NIHI Sumba among the top 5.8% of all MICHELIN Key-rated hotels worldwide.

In its official review, the MICHELIN 2025 Guide describes, “An hour to the east [of Bali], the island of Sumba remains far more wild, and it’s here that you’ll find the extraordinary Nihi Sumba. It’s been called the best hotel in the world… it’s fair to say there’s a strong case to be made.”

For NIHI Sumba, this recognition goes beyond accolade, it affirms a philosophy that has long defined the resort’s spirit. “We are deeply honored to be recognized with the MICHELIN Three Keys,” said James McBride, CEO and Co-Founder of NIHI Sumba. “This distinction reflects our belief that true luxury is found in connection — in the spirit of discovery, comfort, and heartfelt service that our team brings to life each day across this extraordinary island.”

The award underscores NIHI Sumba’s standing as a rare sanctuary where the wild heart of nature meets refined hospitality. Every experience from the serenity of the Spa Safari™ to sunrise horseback rides along untouched shores, embodies the belief that luxury is not defined by excess, but by emotion, purpose, and presence.


At the heart of this philosophy lies the Equine Sanctuary at Nihioka, a 100-acre coastal haven framed by rice fields, jungle, and sea. Home to Sumba’s retired sea horses, once seen galloping along the surf, the sanctuary invites guests to share in their calm energy through guided equine therapy and mindful encounters that reflect NIHI’s deep respect for balance, healing, and the interconnectedness of life.

As part of its ongoing journey, NIHI Sumba is set to unveil Sandalwood Stable Valley, a rewilding initiative inspired by the island’s legacy as the “Sandalwood Island,” once famed for its aromatic wood and home to a thousand free-roaming horses. Here, guests reconnect with nature through encounters that celebrate freedom, resilience, and harmony between human and horse — an experience that perfectly captures NIHI Sumba’s spirit of untamed beauty.


In line with the MICHELIN Key criteria celebrating exceptional design, individuality, authenticity, and a true sense of place, NIHI Sumba distinguishes itself through its intimate villas harmonizing natural materials with local craftsmanship, its intuitive and heartfelt service, and its ability to craft deeply personal experiences. From oceanfront villas and clifftop escapes to immersive cultural journeys and locally sourced cuisine, every detail reflects the resort’s enduring philosophy: to offer guests not simply a stay, but a transformation.

As one of the few destinations in the world to receive the MICHELIN Three Keys, NIHI Sumba stands not merely as a place to visit but as a movement — a reminder that true refinement is rooted in purpose, crafted with soul, and guided by respect for its surroundings.




About NIHI Sumba

NIHI Sumba, just a 50-minute flight from Bali, has redefined luxury travel as a resort deeply rooted in community and nature. Consistently ranked among the world’s finest resorts over the past decade, with a three-keys Michelin Keys award, the only hotel in Travel + Leisure’s history to be named the #1 Hotel in the World two years in a row, NIHI offers not just a destination and experience, but a philosophy. Ancient tribal culture and pristine landscapes frame experiences of freedom, adventure, and understated luxury. With philanthropy at its core, NIHI invests in preserving Sumba’s communities and environment, while personalized itineraries immerse guests in moments that inspire connection, transformation, and lasting impact.

For more information, visit nihi.com