Gili Air is a little island just off the coast of Lombok. While the island is small enough to walk around in under an hour, when it comes to finding somewhere to stay, you’ll be spoiled for choice. From rustic bamboo bungalows to chic boutique hotels, Gili Air offers a little slice of paradise for every budget.
If you are wondering where to stay in Gili Air, this guide will help you pick the perfect spot.
Mowies On The Beach
The location of Mowies is simply perfect and, as the name suggests, you can step straight out onto a beautiful white sandy beach. The restaurant has tables right on the sand and serves amazing food. It offers stunning sunset views and a very relaxed atmosphere.
The rooms are beautifully decorated in shades of white and blue and are set around a shared pool. The staff are super friendly and always ready to help. Guests can reserve sun loungers on the beach for the day and enjoy the views across to Lombok.
Villa Tokay
Villa Tokay is one of the island’s most unique stays, with stunning bamboo architecture, private pools, and lush tropical gardens. The rooms are all thoughtfully and stylishly decorated with great attention to detail.
At Villa Tokay comfort and sustainability go hand in hand. Thoughtfully designed, it embraces eco-friendly touches and a relaxed atmosphere. Here you can enjoy floating breakfasts by the pool, dinners by the beach, soothing massages, or a day spent snorkelling in crystal-clear waters.
It is located only 200m from the beach but tucked away down a quiet street enjoying a true sense of peace and tranquility. While staying there you get free bikes and snorkelling gear, making it easy to explore the island, while still having your own private sanctuary to retreat to. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone who wants a stylish place to stay on the island.
Pink Coco
Pink Coco is located not far from Mowies, on the west coast, so it’s also a great spot for sunsets. The main difference is this hotel is adults-only. Its distinctive décor, with accents of bright pink, really makes it stand out, and it has a very cool and trendy vibe.
Centred around a lovely pool area that leads directly onto the beach, it also has a restaurant and bar with tables and beanbags on the sand. There’s even a huge pink swing in the sea for guests to enjoy — and, of course, to snap a few pictures for Instagram.
The rooms themselves are stunning, decorated with unusual and unique touches and the pink theme is carried out tastefully throughout. The staff are friendly and helpful and even provide little tasty surprises throughout the day for all the guests.
Villa Gilimakyah
As soon as we walked into Villa Gilimakyah, we knew we had found the perfect place for our Gili Air stay. It is extremely spacious, with a large living area, three bedrooms, an outdoor terrace, and a large garden with a private pool. Crafted from wood with gorgeous details such as tiled floors and a thatched roof, it has a traditional feel yet all the comforts you need. The host is always there to help — on check-out we left something behind, and she cycled down to the port to give it to us just before the boat left.
The garden is filled with lush tropical plants, and the pool area is a peaceful retreat after exploring the island. We loved the central location, as we could hop on our bikes and be anywhere on the island in just over 10 minutes. Being in the north of the island, away from the harbour, made it quieter but still within easy walking distance of plenty of bars and restaurants.
Kaluku Gili Resort
Kaluku Gili Resort is situated on the northeast coast, which is ideal if you love snorkelling. Although you can snorkel all around the island, this is one of the best spots to see turtles just a few metres from the beach.each.
The traditional rice barn–inspired bungalows are set in beautiful grounds around a pool, with direct beach access. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the staff are extremely friendly, helping you to hire bikes, snorkelling equipment, or anything else you need. As it is on the east coast its the perfect spot for early risers, you can stroll out onto the sand and watch the sunrise. I enjoyed rolling out my yoga mat on the empty beach and doing some morning stretches before everyone else was up.
Atol Haven Villas
If you’re dreaming of your own little hideaway on Gili Air, Atoll Haven Villas is exactly that. Think private pool, whitewashed walls, and a calm, laid-back vibe.
The villas are cosy and bright, with all the little comforts you’d want. The terrace looks straight out onto your pool, and the semi-open bathroom (one of my favourite features) has that tropical touch that makes showering feel like part of the holiday.
Markisa Villas
Markisa Villas offer the luxury of a private pool right in the centre of the island, making everywhere easily accessible. The villas are beautifully decorated and equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay. Breakfast is included, with a wide range of options to start your day right.
As the villas are set away from the main street it is lovely and quiet but you don’t have to walk far to get to shops and restaurants. The staff are extremely helpful and willing to do anything to help you enjoy your stay. The large garden and pool are perfect for families as they give you a little more outdoor space than some of the other villas on the island.
Gili Air is a dreamy little island with accommodation to suit every budget and plenty of cafés and restaurants to keep you well-fed and happy. If you’re planning a trip, check out our guide to the Best Restaurants in Gili Air and don’t miss our roundup of the Top Things To Do on Gili Air to make the most of your stay.