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Planning a trip to Gili Air and wondering where to stay? You've come to the right place. Gili Air is a small island, but there's still plenty of hotels, villas and resorts to choose from depending on your travelling style and budget.
In this guide, we'll share the best areas to stay on Gili Air plus our top hotel recommendations - whether you're after beach access, a quiet escape or a lively spot to meet others.
Gili Air Overview
One of the best things about Gili Air is its size, you can walk around the whole island in about an hour. There are no cars or motorbikes here, just bikes and a cidomo's (horse carriage), so it’s easy to get around.
Since the island is so small, there’s no “bad” location - but each side of the island offers something slightly different:
- South Coast - this is where the jetty is, so its slightly busier and more lively.
- East Coast - calm mornings, great snorkeling and beautiful sunrise views over Lombok.
- West Coast - sunset views, beach bars and a relaxed evening vibe.
- North Coast - slightly quieter and great sunset views.
- Inland - Can be tucked away in nature, peaceful and surrounded by greenery.
Because everything is walkable, where you stay in Gili Air really comes down to your preferences; therefore, we'll break each section down into different travel styles.
Wondering how to make the most of your time on Gili? Check out our Gili Air itinerary for a complete day-by-day plan 👇
Chloe Butcher
Best for Beach Access
If you're looking to be right on the beach, the east or west coast of the island are the best options.
The east coast of Gili Air is where you’ll find the best snorkelling spots, with healthy coral reefs and the chance to spot sea turtles just metres from the shore. It’s also where the sun rises over Lombok, so you'll have beautiful morning views.
Where to stay on the East Coast of Gili Air
- Santorini Beach Resort Gili Air (luxury) - Bright, Greek-inspired design right on the sand with ocean views.
- Sunrise Resort (mid-range) - A peaceful beachfront stay with a large pool and a beachfront restaurant.
- Bambu Cottages (mid-range) - Eco-friendly bamboo bungalows just steps from one of the island’s best snorkeling spots.
The west coast, on the other hand, is all about sunsets and atmosphere - beach bars, beanbags in the sand and a social evening vibe that Gili Air is known for. If you’re looking for stunning sunsets and easy swimming, this is where to stay.
Where to stay on the West Coast of Gili Air
- Mowies on the Beach (mid-range) - A relaxed beachfront stay with beanbags, cocktails and unbeatable sunset views.
- PinkCoco Gili Air (mid-range) - A stylish adults-only boutique hotel with pink accents, a beachfront pool and a cool island vibe.
Best for Unique/Luxury
If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary, Gili Air has a few unique stays like bamboo villas and eco-lodges that combine luxury, sustainability and privacy.
Waking up to the sound of the waves in a hand-crafted bamboo bungalow or enjoying a private plunge pool surrounded by tropical gardens is an experience you won’t forget!
- Villa Tokay - The Luxury Resort (luxury) - Unique bamboo villas with incredible architecture, private pools and tropical gardens.
- Villa Samyama (luxury) - A 3 bedroom bamboo villa with an open-air design, surrounded by nature.
- La Villa Loca (mid-range) - 1 bedroom pool villa with a unique bamboo design.
Best for Couples/Romantic Stays
If you’re looking for somewhere peaceful, private and a little bit indulgent, Gili Air has plenty of amazing options. Whether you’re after a luxurious villa with your own pool or a cosy hideaway tucked among the palms, these romantic stays are perfect for experiencing Gili Air’s dreamy, slow-paced charm with your partner.
- Slow Private Pool Villas & Spa (luxury) - Luxurious private villas with private pools and an on-site spa - making it one of the islands most romantic hideaways.
- Hakuna Matata Resort Gili Air (mid-range) - Relaxed resort with elegant rooms, tropical gardens and a serene atmosphere.
- Hani Hideaway (mid-range) – A beautifully designed boutique stay that feels intimate and secluded with private terraces.
Best for Solo Travellers
With its friendly locals, social beach cafés and walkable size, Gili Air is one of the best islands in Indonesia for solo travellers. You can spend your mornings snorkelling off the beach, join a yoga class or freediving session during the day and watch the sunset with new friends at one of the island’s relaxed beach bars.
Most solo travellers choose to stay somewhere with a communal atmosphere, so its easy to meet people - but without feeling like a full-on party scene, such as boutique hostels, small resorts and yoga retreats.
- Flowers & Fire Yoga Garden (mid-range) - A tranquil yoga retreat offering shared rooms, small private rooms or bungalows.
- Tipsea Turtle Gili Air (budget) - A sociable hostel with private or shared rooms, villas and regular events that make it easy to meet fellow travellers.
- Begadang (budget) - A hostel known for its unique treehouse-style dorms, friendly vibe and central pool area.
Best for Families & Groups
I'd definitely recommend staying in a villa if you're travelling as a group or family. We travelled as a group of 6 and stayed in La Villa Turkuaz in the middle of the island - it was quiet, tucked away and only a 5-10 minute cycle to cafes, shops and the beach.
- Lasai Villas (luxury) - Beautifully designed private villas with modern interiors, lush gardens and private pools.
- De'Coco Villa and Suites (mid-range) - Modern and stylish villas with private pools and peaceful surroundings
- Villa Ikan (budget) - A modern and beautiufully designed 3-bedroom villa with a private pool and open-air living space
What should you expect from accommodation on Gili Air?
Gili Air is relaxed and a little rustic, Wi-Fi can be slow and power cuts happen occasionally. Our villa didn't have Wi-Fi (we knew this) and we did have quite a few power cuts when too many appliances were being used.
Tap water isn’t drinkable, but pretty much everywhere will provide filtered water.
You'll most likely see (and hear) Geckos in your room or villa - completely harmless but they can be noisy!
How do you get your luggage to your hotel?
As I mentioned earlier, the only way to get around on Gili Air is to walk, bike or get a cidomo (horse carriage), so getting your luggage to the hotel relies on one of these options.
We didn't feel great about using the horse carriages, so we just walked from the jetty to our villa, which was only a 10-15 minute walk.
There are a few sandy/dusty roads around the island so this can make it a little harder, but it's mainly in the west and north of the island.
👋 We hope that you found this guide helpful! Before you go - don't forget to read our other Indonesia travel guides for more tips, suggestions & advice.
