A new NIHI resort is opening on Indonesia’s Rote Island in May 2026

Picture this: the late afternoon sun washing over a long stretch of white sand, the Indian Ocean rolling in steady turquoise waves, and a herd of Sumba ponies galloping across the beach. It’s a scene that has become synonymous with NIHI Sumba, the legendary resort on Indonesia’s eastern frontier that has quietly built a reputation as one of the world’s most extraordinary beach escapes.

But NIHI Sumba’s reputation goes beyond its wild setting. The resort has long paired its guest experience with meaningful community initiatives through the Sumba Foundation, supported by entrepreneur Chris Burch, who purchased the property in 2012. The foundation works across the island to improve access to clean water, nutrition, healthcare and education, and has played a major role in reducing malaria in local communities.

Now, the same team is bringing that spirit to a new destination. NIHI Rote, set to open in May 2026, will be the second property from the creators of NIHI Sumba. And it’s landing somewhere even more remote. Located on Rote Island in West Timor, the southernmost island of Indonesia, the new resort brings NIHI’s blend of adventure, wellness and purpose-driven tourism to a largely untouched corner of the archipelago.

Set along the pristine white sands of Bo’a Beach, NIHI Rote is already shaping up to be one of Indonesia’s most exciting luxury openings for 2026. The resort has been designed as a return to a slower, more intentional way of living that’s rooted in nature, culture and exploration.

The property will feature 25 eco-conscious villas and treehouses, each with traditional thatched roofs, private pools and direct access to the beach. The resort's architecture blends into the surrounding landscape, allowing the raw beauty of Rote Island to take centre stage.

Guests can spend their days surfing, paddleboarding and hydrofoiling along the coastline or venturing inland to explore the island’s still largely undiscovered interior. For those seeking something slower, there are garden massages and wellness experiences tucked into lush tropical spaces.

We're excited for NIHI Rote Island to open. But you know what they say, patience rewards those who wait. In the meantime, check out our round-up of the most romantic "hidden gem" islands in Asia. 

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