Not just a party island — Gili Trawangan, Indonesia

Gili T, as it is affectionately known, has a reputation as a party island. And you can certainly find one if that’s what you’re looking for.

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But travellers looking for a quieter stay should also consider Gili T. Yes, neighbours Gili Air and Gili Meno are quiet too, but they require another boat ride after you’ve already come from Bali or Lombok. And as long as you choose the right part of the island, Gili T is quiet too.

Plus Gili T has some great eating, in particular Blu d’a Mare and the restaurant at Wilson’s Retreat. Read more HERE about these restaurants, plus for a few other Gili T recommendations.


And for quiet places to stay, consider these three boutique hotels on the calmer north and western parts of the island:

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Wilson’s Retreat: Quickly getting a reputation as one of the best places to eat in the Gilis is Wilson’s Retreat.  Its accommodations are also top quality. Rooms are large and serene and have a big patio with a couch for a book and a snooze. Service is the perfect combination of professional, friendly and relaxed.  My review is HERE, on LuxuryAndBoutiqueHotels.com

Hotel Ombak Sunset: The best sunsets on the island are also at the hotel with the biggest pool and some of the most luxurious digs. The beach at Hotel Ombak Sunset is long and white, and there are brightly coloured bean bag chairs to lounge upon to watch the sky’s colours reflecting off the shallow water.  My review is HERE.

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Villa Grasia:  A small boutique hotel on the north side of Gili T.  The snorkel boats often anchor in front of Villa Grasia, but you can borrow gear from the front desk and just walk out to see if the turtles are playing here today.  To get into town, simply hop on one of the bikes left at your patio. A cidomo (horse-drawn cart, the island’s taxis) are also easy to find. My LuxuryAndBoutiqueHotels.com review is HERE.

Everyone relaxes at Villa Grasia

Everyone relaxes at Villa Grasia

Note: I was a guest of Wilson’s Retreat, Hotel Ombak Sunset and Villa Grasia, and was also hosted for lunch at Blu d’A Mare.  These views are my own and no one from the hotels or restaurants reviewed or approved my text.

2 responses to “Not just a party island — Gili Trawangan, Indonesia

  1. Ooh, I am heading off here in February, have bookmarked your blog post to refer back to! Thanks for posting :)

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    • Have a great trip! Let me know if you have any new tips to share.
      PS if you’re taking the fast boat from Bali and are prone to sea sickness, take Gravol or wear wristbands. The trip back is rougher than the trip over. The trip from Lombok is much shorter so fewer problems reported.

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