The Best Hotels in Gili Air, Indonesia

Situated in the middle of the island, l’Archipel is just a five-minute walk from the beach. Each room is designed in the style of the typical buildings you’ll find on Gili Air, made using local natural stone and bamboo finishings. You can enjoy a generous breakfast of tropical fruit and smoothies, pastries, bircher muesli and toast on your private terrace.

This boutique hotel offers bright, airy rooms with light blue tones reminiscent of the ocean, which is only a few minutes away. The thatched, bamboo, open-air communal area is a great place to eat before retiring to your pool-facing bungalow. Owners Cathy and Winston are on hand to offer local tips – whether restaurant recommendations or cycle routes around the island.

Koho Air is a rustic, boutique hotel with tropical, beach-themed decor. Each room has bamboo furnishings, touches of ocean blue and natural stone bathrooms. The hotel has a strong focus on sustainability, with no single-use plastics and regular beach cleanups. The bar and restaurant are popular with health-conscious guests, thanks to a large range of healthy juices, vegan and gluten-free options. The smoothie bowls are highly recommended topped with fruit and granola – the ultimate foodie pic.

Each bungalow at Mowie’s has a private, ocean-facing veranda. If you’ve come to Gili Air to surf, then you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a beach break directly facing the hotel. Travelling with kids? You’ll enjoy the rustic family room, complete with bunk beds. Meanwhile, couples can opt for a superior deluxe room with outdoor bathroom, so you’ll have the full experience of an island getaway. Order a ginger iced tea from the bar and enjoy it on a bean bag by the beach.

The villas at Anahata are designed in the traditional Lumbung style, like the prow of a boat. Each villa is made from wood and bamboo, with floor-to-ceiling windows leading out onto a deck and private pool. The villas are just a seven-minute walk from the beach, or you can make use of the bikes that come with your room. Expect daily breakfast on your terrace, or make your stay more romantic by ordering a floating prosecco tray.

Built in the traditional architectural style of neighbouring island Lombok, the rooms at Vyaana were crafted using locally sourced products, such as coconut wood and handmade bricks. Set right on the beach, the hotel is on the west side of the island, so you get killer sunset views with Mount Agung, on Bali, in the background. Helpful staff are happy to arrange activities from yoga lessons to snorkelling tours for you.

Rimba Villas boasts three ecofriendly, Javanese-inspired private villas with their own pools, perfect for a romantic getaway. Simple bamboo blinds divide the open-plan living space with the garden, blurring the lines between outdoor and indoor living. Breakfast will arrive at your door each morning, complete with fresh fruit, Balinese or Lombok coffee and a main dish: the eggs on toast comes highly recommended.