Indonesian Island Crowned the World’s Best Resort

Summer is halfway through, but it’s not too late to book a trip to the world’s number one resort, the environmentally friendly Nihi Sumba Island in Indonesia.

“Nihi Sumba Island could be considered [an example of] sustainable tourism development,” Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said at a press conference, according to the Jakarta Post.

Formerly known as Nihiwatu, Sumba made to the top spot of Travel and Leisure’s annual World’s Best list for the second year in a row.

Located in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara Province, the luxury hotel is only 50 minutes from Bali by plane.

One hundred destinations around the world were ranked by Travel and Leisure’s readers who rated their experiences with the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more.

Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value, and Nihi Sumba received an almost perfect score of 99.12.

According to the magazine, owner Chris Burch acquired the property in 2012 and added a spa, nine villas, and 13 rooms, and preserved its close ties to the community.

“The people of Sumba are so warm and beautiful,” one family said. “They will forever be in our hearts and soul.”

Today, Nihi Sumba Island has 560 acres filled with 33 villas and offers a near-empty beach where visitors can surf, snorkel, free dive and spearfish.

Guests who want to remain on land can take yoga, go hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

“This is paradise,” wrote one Travel and Leisure reader.

“It is the epitome of escape, adventure, and luxury,” said another.

Images via Instagram / nihiwatu

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