NIHI Rote
Rote Island

Anticipated opening April 2026

Perched on a pristine crescent of Bo’a Beach, where the sea folds itself into foaming curls and the wind carries the scent of salt and coconut palms, NIHI Rote is the next great escape for those drawn to the edges of the world. It is the younger sibling of NIHI Sumba, but not the lesser, it is wilder and more intimate.

Rote Island has long been the quietest of Indonesia’s islands, quietly talked about only in surf circles and among the more soul-searching travellers. And now, with the arrival of NIHI, it is entering its next chapter of raw beauty wrapped in barefoot elegance.

With just 21 villas, NIHI Rote keeps intimacy at its core; expect private pools, open-air bathrooms, artisanal touches and that signature NIHI alchemy of barefoot design and unfiltered comfort. Step outside your villa and the ocean is right there, humming and heaving. NIHI Rote is a haven for water lovers, where in front of the resort, the Bo’a wave breaks in a fast, right-handed barrel of world-class calibre that’s still uncrowded. Twice a day, a complimentary surf shuttle takes guests to Nemberala Beach, another iconic left-hand break that peels endlessly down the reef.

But it’s not only for surfers, it’s for the seekers of slow adventure. With over 16 dive sites surrounding the island, rich marine life and untouched reef abound. Anglers can pursue trophy catches like dogtooth tuna and giant trevally, while others might paddle-board through the mangroves or embark on a private boat safari to secret neighbouring islands. On land, the adventures are just as compelling; guided hikes traverse wild landscapes to discover hidden beaches with barefoot picnics.

Nirvana Wellness is the hotel’s wellness centre with complimentary daily yoga and Pilates, expert-led fitness sessions and a recovery spa where traditional techniques meet natural, healing ingredients. 

At the heart of the resort is the Nammo Beach Club, where the days drift between the infinity pool, the ocean and the shaded bar. The menu consists of line-caught fish grilled over charcoal, wood-fired pizzas, vibrant salads and rotisserie meats, all grounded in local flavour. More formal meals take place at Ombak Restaurant, where the views are vast and the menu shaped by what’s local and seasonal. Special dining moments, from White Night beach parties to Night Sky Dinners and Fish Market BBQs, turn each meal into a celebration of cuisine and setting.

As always with NIHI, the story goes deeper. There is a deep respect for place here, and guests are invited to connect with the island’s people through the Rote Hospitality Academy, where cultural exchange and education are part of the resort’s ethos.

NIHI Rote isn’t a place to tick off, it’s a place to take time to discover how it feels to live by the elements, to wake with the light and be guided by the tide and time. This is wild luxury for the surf-addicted, the curious stillness-seekers and for those who crave experience over extravagance.

The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.
G. K. Chesterton