Wondering where to stay in Gili Trawangan? This beautiful small island just off the northwest coast of Lombok, is part of a group of 3 unique islands, the Gili Islands. It’s a laid-back paradise where no motorised transport is allowed, and the beaches have clear blue water and white sand. Known as a party island, Gili Trawangan has transformed into a place that offers a variety of experiences, catering to all kinds of travellers. In our accommodation guide, you’ll find the best places to stay in Gili Trawangan, including our favourite luxury resorts, hotels, and villas, along with the best locations.
CONTENTS
- Best Area To Stay In Gili Trawangan
- Booking Accommodation
- Accommodation Guide: The Best Places To Stay In Gili Trawangan
- Gili Trawangan Travel Tips (FAQs)
Where To Stay In Gili Trawangan? Best Areas.
So what is the best area to stay in Gili Trawangan? Gili Trawangan is a small island and although you can easily reach most places relatively easily by bicycle, different areas cater to different types of travellers and each have a distinct vibe.
The main areas to stay in Gili Trawangan can be divided into North, South, East and West. Depending on your preferences, you’ll find something to suit your needs.
Most accommodations are located either near the beach or just a few streets inland.
However, the further inland you stay, the less convenient access to restaurants and nightlife may become. Some of the inland roads are also not as well-lit at night if you plan on venturing out for dinner or nightlife.
See our accommodation guide below for the best hotels on the beach. Some of our favourites are Pondok Santi Estate, Pearl Of Trawangan, Cocana Resort, Gili Teak Beachfront Resort, and Wilsons Retreat.
Which Side Of Gili Trawangan Is Best?
If you’re wondering which part of Gili Trawangan is best to stay; North, South, East or West, the answer is it depends on what you want out of your holiday.
We’ll go through each area so you can decide what the best area is for you. Most of the island has beautiful white sand beaches, although not all are suited for swimming with coral reefs close to shore.
East Gili Trawangan
The east side of the island is the main part of Gili Trawangan. This is also where the fast boat will drop you off (the main street is the beach street near the port).
It’s a great area to stay if you want easy access to restaurants, bars and activities.
However, as most of the nightlife is in this area, some accommodations can be noisy at night. You can still find quiet places to stay (usually the further from the pier the quieter – but not always), just read hotel reviews carefully to make sure the hotel you choose isn’t affected.
The northeast beach is one of the best areas for swimming, although many of the beaches in Gili Trawangan have their pros and cons.
The east side is our pick for where to stay in Gili T for nightlife, but also for convenience and restaurants.
South Gili Trawangan
The south side of the island is known for its peaceful vibe. It’s also home to some beautiful accommodations, like Pondok Santi Estate.
It’s still within walking distance of restaurants and the port, and the southwest side of the island is a great spot for sunset views.
West Gili Trawangan
If you’re looking for a quieter, more serene stay, the west side of Gili Trawangan Island is ideal. Each time we go back to Gili T the west side is more developed, but definitely still a peaceful area.
There are fewer food options on this side (although Casa Vintage on the south-west side is a fabulous place to eat), so you may find yourself having to walk or ride your bike over to the east side often. But it’s perfect if you prefer peaceful evenings and stunning sunset views.
If you’re staying on the west side of the island, I’d definitely recommend staying in a hotel with breakfast included, and potentially an onsite restaurant, depending on how long you are staying on Gili Trawangan.
The west side is a great choice for where to stay in Gili Trawangan for families and those seeking tranquillity.
North Gili Trawangan
This area has a quieter, laid-back vibe. There are some great accommodation options on the north side of Gili Trawangan.
You can also catch the sunset from here, and in some areas, there is the possibility of swimming with sea turtles.
Booking Accommodation
Booking.com
We love using Booking.com to look at all the accommodation options in Gili Trawangan. They have a wide variety of choices, from luxury hotels, boutique hotels, villas and homestays.
I also find the many user reviews really helpful when making a decision. It’s our favourite way to book hotels, so it’s a great place to search if you’re looking for more options.
Gili Trawangan Accommodation Guide
We have put together a guide of the best places to stay in Gili T from our experience of our time there, knowledge of the best hotels and their specific locations, research, reading reviews and hearing from you. When choosing the best hotels in Gili Trawangan, we think location, design and service are the most important things.
So here are our favourite picks for where to stay in Gili Trawangan, including luxury resorts, 5-star hotels, boutique hotels, villas and guesthouses.
Please note: Prices are per night in AUD and were accurate at the time of this post.
Splurge: The Best Luxury Accommodation In Gili Trawangan
Pondok Santi Estate | from $174 AUD | Check Prices
In my opinion, Pondok Santi Estate is one of the most beautiful places to stay in Gili Trawangan.
Not only does it have a beachfront location, but the accommodations and facilities spread out over a vast amount of luscious green land. As this area was once an ancient coconut plantation, there are plenty of coconut trees within the grounds.
The space, nature, friendly staff and traditional design make for an authentic experience. The onsite restaurant is delicious, we had some of our favourite food in Gili Trawangan here.
Cocana Resort Gili Trawangan | from $246 AUD | Check Prices
The recently opened Cocana Resort is the first 5-star hotel in Gili Trawangan. Facilities include an outdoor pool near the beach, onsite restaurants, and an onsite spa and gym.
Choose from lagoon rooms (some with pool access), or one, two or three-bedroom villas with private pool.
Rooms and villas have a modern design whilst still paying homage to traditional aspects with rich woods and woven design elements.
Kardia Resort | from $331 AUD | Check Prices
This 4-star beachfront resort is located on the west side of Gili T, which is great for a beach sunset.
Kardia Resort features an infinity pool near the beach, an onsite restaurant and room service. Choose from suites (some with a sea view) or one bedroom villas with private pool.
Gili Teak Beachfront Resort | from $170 AUD | Check Prices
Located on the western side of Gili Trawangan, Gili Teak Beachfront Resort is a great option for a 4-star hotel on the beach.
On the west side of the island, you will get lovely sunset views over the beach.
The spacious rooms come with free bikes to use to get around the island. Facilities include an onsite restaurant and beach bar, an outdoor swimming pool, beautiful tropical gardens and a private beach.
Kuno Villas | from $181 AUD | Check Prices
Kuno Villas are located a short walk from the beach on the north side of the island.
Here you can choose from stunning poolside rooms or private pool villas (one bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom spacious villas), all of which are inspired by traditional Indonesian architectural styles.
The poolside rooms surround a beautifully designed swimming pool featuring natural stone and tropical greenery.
Other features include an onsite restaurant, along with free bikes and snorkelling equipment.
Ponte Villas | from $159 AUD | Check Prices
Located in the southeast of Gili Trawangan, Ponte Villas offers both rooms and private pool villas (one-bedroom and two-bedroom).
The location provides a peaceful atmosphere, yet it’s still within a reasonable distance from the main night market and restaurants. Onsite facilities include a restaurant, spa, outdoor swimming pool, and private beach area.
Gili Trawangan Villas
The places listed below offer one, two, three, or four-bedroom villas exclusively. However, some hotels in other sections of this guide also offer villas alongside their hotel rooms or suites, if you’re looking for more villa options.
- Cahaya Villas | from $334 AUD | Check Prices (one-bedroom villas with private pool)
- Villas Edenia | from $171 AUD | Check Prices (one & two bedroom private pool villas)
- Gili Joglo | from $177 AUD | Check Prices (one & two-bedroom villas with private pool)
- Gili Villas | from $227 AUD | Check Prices (two-bedroom pool villa)
- The Gili Beach Resort | from $639 AUD | Check Prices (four bedroom villas including a beachfront villa)
Best Luxury Hotels For Less
These hotels offer great value with luxurious facilities at a more affordable price.
- Nero North | from $142 AUD | Check Prices
- Eden Eco Resort | from $136 AUD | Check Prices
- Pearl Of Trawangan | from $135 AUD | Check Prices
- Desa Dunia Beda Resort | from $126 AUD | Check Prices
- Wilson’s Retreat | from $125 AUD | Check Prices
- Belukur Villas | from $125 AUD | Check Prices
- Hotel Lumi Gili Trawangan | from $120 AUD | Check Prices
- PinkCoco Gili Trawangan | from $115 AUD | Check Prices
- Quma Hotel | from $111 AUD | Check Prices
- Gili Eco Villas | from $109 AUD | Check Prices
- Jali Resort | from $105 AUD | Check Prices
- Gili Tenda | from $102 AUD | Check Prices (luxury tent-style accommodation)
Best Affordable Hotels In Gili Trawangan For Under $100/night
- Pearl Sunset Resort | from $96 AUD | Check Prices
- Flamingo | from $71 AUD | Check Prices
- Mantra Gili | from $68 AUD | Check Prices
- La Cocoteraie Ecolodge – Luxury Glamping Tents | from $61 AUD | Check Prices
- Manta Dive Gili Trawangan Resort | from $63 AUD | Check Prices (note: some rooms can be noisy at night with nearby nightlife but very central)
Best Budget Hotels For Under $50/night
- Havana Hideaway | from $48 AUD | Check Prices
- Rumah Cahaya | from $40 AUD | Check Prices
Gili Trawangan FAQ
How Many Days Do You Need In Gili Trawangan?
Given that it takes a little bit of effort to get here, and ‘island life’ is all about slowing down, I think 2 days and 2 nights is a minimum, but 3 – 7 nights is what we would recommend. Spending time here is all about relaxing, taking it slow and enjoying nature, which is difficult to do if you have a short stay.
If you have one week in Gili Trawangan, you could enjoy a slower-paced holiday, relax, ride bikes, and go to the beach. There are also plenty of places that run scuba diving courses on the island.
If you have the time I would recommend picking two of the three Gili Islands to stay a few nights on each, as each island has a completely different personality. Gili Air is a favourite of ours and feels quite different to Gili T, so the two are great to combine.
Staying By The Beach Or Inland?
Most of the accommodation on Gili Trawangan is close to the beach, so it doesn’t make much difference if you are right on the beach or a few streets back from the beach.
I would make sure that your accommodation isn’t too far inland, however, as you are on an island holiday and it’s nice to get to the water sooner. Some of the inland roads are also not as well-lit at night if you plan on venturing out for dinner or nightlife.
See our accommodation guide below for the best hotels on the beach, but some of our favourites are Pondok Santi Estate, Pearl Of Trawangan, Cocana Resort, Gili Teak Beachfront Resort, and Wilsons Retreat.
How Do I Get My Luggage To My Accommodation?
If you’re wondering how to get your luggage to your accommodation on a non-motorised island, there are a few options.
You can get a cidomo which is like a small horse and cart, but as we didn’t know about the treatment and care of the horses, we decided not to use them.
You could also hire a bicycle if you had a backpack. We walked to our accommodation with our bags, which was fine but slow. Keep in mind some roads are sandy/dirt, so these will be harder.
Your accommodation may offer some kind of pick-up service.
I definitely recommend packing light if you visit the Gili Islands, as it just makes everything so much easier.
Should I Stay On Gili Trawangan Or Another Gili Island?
One question we had the first time we visited the Gili Islands was which Gili Island to stay on. All of the Gili Islands have no motorised transport, and all have crystal clear waters surrounding them.
So here’s a little breakdown of what makes them different, so you can decide where to stay in Gili Islands for you.
- Gili Trawangan: The most popular island, Gili Trawangan is known as the party island, however, it’s evolved over the years and now offers much more variation in activities, restaurants and accommodations to suit all types of travellers, including solo travelers, friends, couples and families. Although it’s still the best island to stay for nightlife, there are areas where you can escape the crowds and have a more tranquil stay if that’s what you’re after.
- Gili Meno: The most serene and least developed, ideal for those who want total peace and quiet. Gili Meno has fewer restaurants and activities, so it’s better suited for a remote getaway.
- Gili Air: A great option for balance between relaxation and activity. Gili Air is a quieter island than Gili Trawangan with fewer tourists, but still has plenty of dining options. I personally prefer the beaches here for swimming and snorkelling. Gili Air is our favourite Gili island, but everyone is different.
Read More: Where To Stay In Gili Air (see all of our favourite places to stay)
So which island to choose? We loved Gili Trawangan for its lively atmosphere and lots to do, and Gili Air for its laid-back island vibes. For a first-time visit, we would recommend a couple of nights on each.
How To Get From Bali To Gili Trawangan
The most common way to get to Gili Trawangan from Bali is on a fast-boat. The fast boats leave from various ports along the east coast of Bali, mainly Serangan Harbour and Padang Bai.
Depending on where you leave/arrive, it’s about 2.5 hours from port to port. But you also need to take into consideration the time it takes to get to the port from where you are staying in Bali.
It is worth noting that the crossing can be quite rough at times. April – June and October and November are generally considered to have the calmest seas.
Not all speed boat companies are created equal, so it’s worth looking at reviews before booking.
We have used Blue Water Express for all of our trips and have been happy. Of course, make sure to do your own research so you feel comfortable with your choice. I would recommend booking your ticket online in advance.
Another option is flying to Lombok from Bali, which is a great option if you’re also planning to explore Lombok or want to avoid the boat ride. Once you land in Lombok, it will be a couple of hours drive to get to the port, but from here it’s only a 15-minute boat ride to the Gili Islands.
You can read our full articles here for more details on how to get from Bali to Gili T, and how to get from Nusa Lembongan to Gili T (which is now actually from Nusa Penida) here.
When’s The Best Time To Visit Gili Trawangan
The dry season will have the best weather, generally speaking (there are always exceptions), which runs from April to September.
Even though the Gili Islands have their own micro-climate, travelling there in the dry season means less chance of storms during the boat crossing.
The peak season is July, August and around Christmas and New Year. Some of the calmest seas of the year are from April to June, however, again, this can vary day to day.
So with all this considered, we would recommend visiting the Gili Islands between April and June or September/October.
With this guide, you’re all set to find the best accommodation for your stay in Gili Trawangan, no matter your budget or preferences. Whether you’re looking for luxury, a quiet retreat, or a place close to the action, Gili T has a range of options to make your holiday unforgettable.
Read More Gili Islands Blog Posts:
How To Get To Gili Islands From Bali
The Best Places To Stay In Gili Air
Where To Eat In Gili Air + Map: Restaurants, Cafes & Warungs
Our Stay At Slow Gili Air Luxury Private Pool Villas
Read More Bali Accommodation Guides:
The Best Places To Stay In Bali: Our Favourite Areas, Hotels & Tips
Where To Stay In Ubud: Best Areas & Hotels
The Best Places To Stay In Jimbaran
The Best Places To Stay In Uluwatu
Our Favourite Hotels & Areas In Nusa Lembongan
The Best Places To Stay In Sanur
Where To Stay In East Bali: Favourite Locations & Hotels
What’s your pick for the best places to stay in Gili Trawangan? We’d love to hear your thoughts or any questions in the comments below.
The post Where To Stay In Gili Trawangan: Our Favourite Hotels & Areas appeared first on Almost Landing – Bali.