Few places reveal themselves all at once. Sumba certainly does not. Its stories emerge gradually through the rhythm of village life, the vast open landscapes, and the Sandalwood ponies that have accompanied generations of islanders across rolling hills and coastal plains. At NIHI Sumba, those enduring symbols now shape the Riding & Racquet Club, a new destination where a tennis club offers another way to experience Sumba beyond its celebrated shoreline.
Conceived as an extension of the resort’s commitment to responsible hospitality following its recent Certified B Corporation® recognition, the Riding & Racquet Club invites guests to engage with the island instead of simply observing it. Bringing together the Sandalwood Stables, an international tennis court, clubhouse lounge and bar, boutique, and the crowd’s favourite Monday evening Bakar di Kandang Kuda dining experience, the programme encourages leisurely movement between sport, culture, and conversation. Every corner of the tennis club reflects the unhurried character that has long defined Sumba, allowing each activity to unfold at its own pace.
The setting itself tells part of the story. Designed through the creative vision of NIHI founders James McBride and Chris Burch alongside Creative Director Caroline Usher and UBD Global, the clubhouse carries the comforting familiarity of a private sporting lodge while remaining unmistakably connected to its surroundings. Sunlight washes over reclaimed teak, vintage tennis racquets and polo memorabilia sit comfortably beside hand-carved Sumbanese artefacts, while rich leather, woven textures, and warm lighting soften the interiors. Beyond the open terrace, the Sandalwood ponies quietly return to their stables, ensuring the landscape is never separated from the experience. It becomes a tennis club where the atmosphere feels inseparable from Sumba itself.
Guests are free to shape their own day, whether beginning with a morning rally on the court, browsing the boutique, lingering over drinks in the lounge, or spending time at the Sandalwood Stables to better understand the native horses that inspired the club’s creation. As evening settles, Bakar di Kandang Kuda gathers guests around an open fire beside the stables, where dinner unfolds beneath the stars.Together, these moments transform the tennis club into a deeper introduction to Sumba, revealing the island through its landscapes, traditions, and people.
“This is where polo lounge meets Sumba, the rawness of the Sandalwood ponies, the open fire, the spirit of the island. Polo has always been an important part of my life, and this is the version of it only NIHI could produce,” says James McBride, CEO and co-founder of NIHI Hotels.
The Riding & Racquet Club at NIHI Sumba captures that sentiment with quiet confidence. Instead of asking guests to simply admire Sumba, the tennis club encourages them to experience the island through its heritage, craftsmanship, and the enduring companionship of its native ponies.
For more information, WhatsApp +62 811 3821 2910 or email reservations@nihi.com.
