11 best hotels and villas voted as some of the best places to stay on Gili Air. Boasting private jungle pools, ocean views, and just steps away from vibrant marine life.
Gili Air is perfect for backpackers and tourists in Indonesia who seek some variation to the more popular islands such as Bali and Nusa Penida.
The benefit of journeying to the small car-free island of Gili Air close to Lombok is that it offers a handy selection of areas for diving and snorkeling. During my recent visit to Gili Air, I spotted over 20 turtles just off the beach and would rate it one of the best places for snorkeling.
The best way to describe Gili Air is to say that it is more chilled out than staying on Gili Trawangan, but it simultaneously isn’t as quiet as staying on Gili Meno in terms of tourists. Both of these characteristics strike a happy balance for visitors.
In this accommodation guide, I will take you through the best places to stay on Gili Air, so you can choose which one is right for you.
In a Hurry? Here are the Top Places to Stay on Gili Air
The island boasts incredible accommodation options ranging from private villas to amazing 5-star resorts right on the beach.
Below are my top 3 best choices based on luxury, adults-only, and budget options.
1. Villa Tokay Luxury
An incredible luxury choice for those looking for a uniquely styled villa to relax the day away. This bamboo palace offers a private pool and multiple rooms boasting epic views.
2. PinkCoco Adult-Only
Known as one of the best places to stay for adults wanting a child-free vacation tucked away in a pink slice of paradise on Gili Air. Situated in the perfect location on the island with rooms offering ocean views.
3. Captain Coconuts Budget
Offering dorm rooms, private bedrooms, and an outdoor swimming pool Captain Coconuts is the perfect place to relax and unwind. It's a great choice for those with a little less change in their wallets.
Wondering Where Gili Air is Located?
Located just a short boat ride from Lombok and snuggled next to Gili Trawangan and Gili Meno sits Gili Air. This 5km circumference island is the perfect place for those looking for a place to relax under the palm trees or those wanting to explore the underwater at some incredible snorkeling locations.
11 of the Most Unique Villas & Best Hotels on Gili Air
Unique Private Villas to Stay on Gili Air
1. Atoll Haven Villas
If you are searching for both luxury and privacy, Atoll Haven Villas is a strong option to consider during your stay at Gili Air. The one-bedroom villas offered here aren't the most budget-friendly, although they come with an abundance of amenities that are difficult to refuse if you can afford them.
Each of these villas includes your own private pool, personal seating area, and en suite private bathroom to enjoy, as well as the basic and expected amenities.
One of the most significant factors of staying in the villas here is the serene natural elements that surround your every step. This includes some rather unique tropical plants around the outdoor pool spaces, which gives guests a feeling of harmony with nature as they're taking a dip.
These villas are only a short walk from Holiday Fit which is a great way to work off those extra holiday treats.
2. Kempas Villa
Kempas Villa is a remarkable villa to stay in, and that is for countless reasons.
The villa itself not only contains all of the amenities and luxuries that one could possibly need, but it is also one of the best places on Gili Air to stay in terms of location.
The villa is within just a 5-minute walking distance from the center of town.
This means that a pleasant array of restaurants, bars, and shops are at your fingertips, all while being able to appreciate a terrific 2-bedroom villa with its own outdoor swimming pool, and friendly staff delivering excellent room service.
If all of the above isn't enough to mention, you will be happy to know that all of the private rooms are air-conditioned and contain a safety deposit box to store your beloved valuables.
3. Villa Tokay - The Best Outdoor Swimming Pool
This beautiful accommodation choice offers a range of villa styles to choose from, and each one varies in both size and amenities offered.
Smaller options such as their Leaf Villa provide more than enough space for couples to fully enjoy a getaway together. Not to mention the fact that this villa has its very own tropical garden for guests to enjoy whenever they get the chance.
The bedroom at the Leaf Villa has an equally stunning garden view, allowing you to make contact with the natural elements and really take in the spectacular surroundings.
When it comes to onsite facilities and services, you will be happy to know that the villa offers free bike hire for its guests. This is especially great considering that riding a bike is one of the best ways of exploring Gili Air.
4. Anahata
This property offers two different kinds of villas to choose from, but both styles offer more than enough features and benefits to satisfy all needs.
I would say this includes even their smallest option known as Lumbung Villa, which comes with spacious double rooms, mosquito nets, a decent-sized private pool, free continental breakfast, and its own private entrance for saving you both time and energy.
Thinking about stepping it up a notch? their Two-Bedroom Villa is certainly a large upgrade compared with the first. Besides the two comfortable king-sized beds in both of the rooms, there is much more to enjoy in this 130-meter squared, generous villa.
Another aspect that I admire about the villas at Anahata is their architectural design. It is slick and neat, combing both modern and traditional components together, resulting in a whacky and unorthodox style looking quite like no other.
5. Rimba Villas - Hidden Sanctuary with Tropical Gardens
One of the best things about staying at Rimba Villas, besides the accommodation itself, is the location.
The villas are just a short walk from the island's northernmost beach containing lush white sands and fabulous coconut palms. The surrounding area of this beach is equally special with beach clubs such as Camilla Beach Club and Formosa to grab a cocktail at.
When it comes to the villas themselves, you will be happy to know that they have a surprisingly abundant range of facilities. This list is certainly larger than the other villas I have chosen in this post, so it is worth mentioning at least some of them before continuing.
If the à la carte breakfast served inside of your chosen villa isn't enough, your own moderately-sized private kitchen, daily housekeeping, and a gratifyingly-sized private swimming pool to take a dip in.
Best Hotels on Gili Air for a Relaxing Stay
6. Mowies on the Beach
Mowies On The Beach not only offers affordable room prices, but this 3-star hotel accommodation has a pretty rad beach bar to hang out at and enjoy a cold one.
The hotel's location matches up with its unique name, considering it is less than a 2-minute walk from the small island's west coast beach. This provides easy access to one of the island's most stunning white sand beaches.
When discussing accommodation options, there are five different kinds offered at Mowies On The Beach. One of these which is the most impressive is the Superior Double Room.
Another aspect worth mentioning about Mowies on the Beach is the hotel's online ratings. They have received a huge amount of positive feedback online, proving they are both welcoming of their guests, and one of the best bed and breakfast hotels on the entire island to stay.
7. Captain Coconuts - Budget-Friendly Accommodation
Captain Coconuts on Gili Air is worth considering if you are on a budget and looking for decent sleep.
One of the surprisingly comforting aspects of staying here is the fact that the hotel is focused on being eco-friendly. This is reflected in the entire design of the hotel, which is primarily made from both recyclable and sustainable materials.
In addition to this, the water system as a whole is heated through solar energy alone, which is certainly reassuring to the environmentalists out there.
The restaurant's menu contains foods that are gluten-free, dairy free, and vegan-friendly. This completes the hotel's image as one of the most environmentally friendly accommodation options on Gili Air.
8. PinkCoco - Adult-Only Hotel
PinkCoco Gili Air is an extremely suitable hotel for couples as opposed to families. This is obviously reflected in the fact that it is an adults-only hotel as mentioned in the hotel's name.
What I particularly love about this hotel above all else are the numerous facilities to choose from. This includes an impressive professional spa offering services at an additional charge, and its own fast boat used for snorkeling and fishing trips known as the pink boat!
The rooms inside the hotel are spacious, with many of them offering great pool views. If you are looking for a room with direct pool access, I would opt to stay at their Grande Room.
With such a large number of available rooms in PinkCoco it is more reliable than most other Gili Air Hotels. You can be assured that you going to land a room here no matter what time you book.
9. L'Archipel
L'Archipel is one of those luxury hotels which offers practically everything you need and more. The hotel itself is located directly in the heart of Gili Air, allowing easy access to a comfortable range of tasty restaurants and convenient shops.
The hotel itself has its own coffee shop, outdoor pool, 24-hour reception, and bar to enjoy, as well as public sun loungers to catch a tan on. This is quite the combination for a notably small hotel, and it really does pack everything you need in terms of public facilities right where you need them to be.
L'Archipel's room designs each feature their own private terrace that is ideal for catching a breather. When you combine this with the sizeable double beds, you really do have everything you need.
One of the most remarkable reasons for staying here is the outdoor pool. This is alarmingly large compared with other public hotel pools in the Gili islands, and you can be assured to get your laps in.
10. The Koho Air Hotel
This hotel screams pure quality in every aspect, from its own restaurant serving up yummy food at affordable prices, all the way to the rooms which each come with their own minibar and plush bedding to sink into.
Another pleasant aspect of staying here is the fact that they offer airport transfers from Lombok International Airport which is the nearest airport to the hotel. This is especially welcoming for their guests and makes getting to the hotel a heck of a lot easier.
You will find stunning white sand beaches nearby that are easily within walking distance from the hotel's entrance.
11. Jago Gili Air
Jago Gili Air is one of the more newly built hotels on Gili Air, offering both simplistic and minimalistic designs in their rooms.
As you enter the bungalow rooms here, you will find a sizeable double bed, an ensuite bathroom with a rain shower, a personal terrace, and your own TV.
If you are looking for a more social experience, you will be happy to know that the hotel also has its own shared lounge with comfortable sofas to spend your time at. This is ideal for those who don't want to be isolated in their rooms all day.
For those looking to explore the surrounding areas don't miss out on a delicious meal from Barefoot Blondie's cafe and try the delicious cinnamon roll.
My Hotel Selection Process
- Accommodation Criteria: I make sure to add hotels based on my personal experience and those that meet quality standards for price, location, and online reviews.
- My Experience: I aim to stay at many of the hotels suggested however when this is not possible I base my recommendations on hotels my good friends have suggested or stayed in due to their high reviews and value for money.
- Top Reviews: The accommodation options I have provided have reviews across major booking platforms such as Hotels.com, Expedia, and Booking.com. I regularly update my recommendations to ensure the top choices meet quality standards.
- Local Insights: I always ask my good friend Dayat from Lombok for his opinions and suggestions as he actively visits Gili Air and is even more familiar with the best hotels.
Read more about how I review & select hotels & accommodations.
I'm Olly, a full-time traveler for the past 5 years. Each accommodation option in this guide is handpicked by me. Read my travel review ethics statement.
Tip: I highly recommend heading to Lombok after your visit to Gili Air as this is a much bigger island that offers epic adventure travel activities and even the possibility of climbing Mount Rinjani Volcano.
FAQ About Staying on Gili Air
How do I get to Gili Air?
Gili Air is accessible via a short boat ride from Lombok or Bali. From Lombok, it takes about 10-15 minutes, and from Bali, you can expect the journey to take around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the service you choose.
Are there ATMs on Gili Air?
Yes, there are several ATMs on Gili Air. However, I suggest bringing some cash as a backup since ATMs can occasionally run out of money or can be out of service.
What is the best time to visit Gili Air?
The best time to visit Gili Air is during the dry season, from May to September, when the weather is warm and dry, making it perfect for beach diving and snorkeling.
How do I choose between a villa and a hotel on Gili Air?
Villas offer more privacy and often come with private pools, making them ideal for couples or families seeking solitude. Hotels offer more social opportunities and services like restaurants and bars.
How early should I book my accommodation on Gili Air?
I suggest booking your accommodation at least 2-3 months in advance, especially if you're visiting during peak season (June to August and December to January) to ensure availability at your desired hotel and secure the best rates.
What should I consider when choosing a location for my stay on Gili Air?
It is good to consider the proximity to the beach, dining options, and activity centers. Although the island is small staying near the eastern coast offers easy access to snorkeling spots and lively bars, while the western and northern parts are quieter which is ideal for relaxation.
More Indonesian Travel & Accommodation Guides
I hope you've liked this guide to the best places to stay on Gili Air.
If you're traveling to other tropical island destinations in Indonesia feel free to check out some of the other guides I have written below.
- Lombok Travel Guide - my popular & comprehensive guide to exploring the island of Lombok
- The Waterfalls of Lombok - a guide to the best waterfalls on Lombok Island
- Epic Lombok to Komodo Boat Trip - one of my personal favorite boat tours in Indonesia!
- Nusa Penida Travel Guide - an adventure guide to visiting the island of Nusa Penida off Bali
- Things to do on Gili Trawangan - discover Gili T in this epic adventure guide
- Accommodation guides: Discover epic Tree Houses in Bali, awesome accommodations on the Gili Islands, the best beach resorts in Bali & hotels in Bali with private pools
