The Bali Review - 731

Gili, Bali

1. Alam Gili Bungalows

Gili Terawangan is known for its lively nightlife. If you head away from the bustle of the main street, for the quiet north coast and Alam Gili, a quiet little oasis with six bungalows and a deluxe suite for families. With traditional Balinese architecture – volcanic stone decoration, and intricately carved teak doorways – give the place an opulent impression.

Address: Gili Trawangan, Gili Indah, Pemenang, Kabupaten Lombok Utara, Nusa Tenggara Bar. 80571
Phone: (0370) 6130466
Price: $$

2. Manta Dive Gili Air

If you want to actually relax, take an outrigger across to tiny Gili Air. Without the attendant party vibe of Trawangan, Manta Dive Gili Air is the best place to sink into a tropical torpor, sustained by the holy trinity of cold beer, wood-fired pizza, and snorkeling.

Address: Gili Air, Gili Indah, Pemenang, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Bar. 83352
Phone: 0813-5305-0462
Price: $$

3. Amber House Gili Meno

Meno is the smallest of the three Gilis and is overlooked by most visitors – but if time slows down on the alternative islets, here it flows like treacle.

Go off season and you will find the island more live. You can snorkel with turtles (Meno has them in spades), morning yoga and chill for hours in bamboo pavilions. Though perhaps not partaking of the notoriously robust (and weirdly legal) magic mushrooms.

Amber residence is on one of the island’s prettiest beaches and there’s a coral lawn teeming with fish right out front. The 5 beach huts are about as pared down as you can get and as with maximum budget places in the Gilis, the showers are saltwater but you can pay extra for fresh.

Address: Gili Meno, Pemenang, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Bar. 83352
Price: $