Mandaka Owner's Estate

YOUR STAY

The estate is spread across the hillside, so each villa has its own feel. Raja Mandaka is the main residence, while the Sumba House and Surf Villa give families and larger groups more room to spread out.

Traditional Sumbanese design runs through the property. Thatched roofs, local timber and stone give the villas a strong connection to the island, while the interiors are comfortable and easy to settle into.

The bedrooms are divided between the five villas, which works particularly well when you are travelling with children, friends or several generations of the same family. You can have your own space during the day and meet back at the main house when it is time for dinner.

Raja Mandaka has its own ocean-facing deck, walk-in wardrobe and private library. Somewhere else on the estate, you might find yourself sitting in the family room at Sumba House or waking up close to the beach in the Surf Villa.

There is plenty of space outside too. Find a quiet corner with a book, sit down for lunch or simply watch the waves from the hillside. You do not have to be doing something all the time.

SUMBA & LIFE BY THE OCEAN

Sumba gives you a very different island experience. The landscape around NIHI is wild and open, with beaches, hills and the Indian Ocean providing plenty to explore.

Surfing is a major part of life here. Occy's Left is nearby, and the estate gives you access to the resort's surf facilities when you want to get out on the water.

For something quieter, take a walk through the surrounding landscape or head out on a bike. You could also spend some time on the Wanukaka River with a stand-up paddleboard.

Perhaps the afternoon is better spent at the beach. Swim, lie in the sand and come back to the estate when you are ready.

Then again, you may decide not to leave the hill at all. With several pools, outdoor living areas and those ocean views, staying home is hardly a hardship.

POOLS & WELLNESS

You have several places to swim around Mandaka. The main lap pool is ideal when you want a proper swim, while the cliff-edge infinity pool gives you a different view of the ocean.

A cold plunge is available when you want to cool down, and there is also a waterfall pool tucked into the estate. Moving between them becomes an easy part of the day.

For something slower, find the outdoor bathtub and settle into the warm water. Later, you could sit outside with a drink and watch the sky change over Sumba.

The villas also have their own bathing spaces, including soaking tubs and outdoor showers. After a morning in the ocean, there is something particularly nice about rinsing off outside.

You can also make use of the wider wellness facilities at NIHI. Spend some time at the spa, arrange a treatment or take a quieter approach with yoga and time outdoors.

FOOD & EVENINGS

Meals at Mandaka are arranged around your group rather than a fixed routine. Breakfast could be taken slowly in the morning, while lunch might move outside depending on what everyone feels like doing.

Fresh produce from the estate gardens can be used in the kitchen, with meals prepared around your preferences. You could have a relaxed lunch outdoors or sit down for a longer dinner in the evening.

There is an outdoor dining area with a traditional pizza oven and barbecue, which gives you another option when everyone wants to stay outside.

Once dinner is over, the evening does not have to end. Put on a film at the open-air cinema, sit around the fire or find somewhere quiet to look out across the ocean.

For families, there is plenty to keep younger guests occupied too. The chocolate factory and children's play areas at NIHI add another reason to explore beyond the villa.

PRIVACY & SERVICE

The five-villa layout gives you something that is useful when travelling as a larger group: space. Everyone can have their own room and living area without being too far away from the rest of the estate.

Your dedicated Guest Kapten team takes care of the practical side of the stay. They can help organise meals, activities, transport and anything else you need while you are here.

Want to go surfing in the morning? Ask. Thinking about a beach picnic later? That can be arranged too. You could spend the whole day moving between activities, or simply stay around the estate and let the team work around you.

The wider NIHI Sumba facilities are also available during your stay, giving you more options when you want a change of scenery.

At the end of the day, you return to your own villa. The group can come together for dinner or drinks, while anyone who wants some quiet time can simply disappear back to their own space.