“Let The Waves Embrace You…”
Considered to be the first international hotel on the exquisite Gilli Trawangan island, the Hotel Vila Ombak is a place that exceeds all expectations. The popular hotel combines the beauty of its natural surroundings with comfort and luxury to provide the best accommodation options possible.
The hotel also offers a ton of activities and multiple dining options, ensuring that guests never have to complain.
The rooms at the hotel are tastefully done and offer a level of privacy and comfort, that can be found nowhere else. Adopting traditional architecture, the hotel manages to blend in smoothly with the surrounding landscape, resulting in an ambience that is truly unique.
Gili Islands Guide
Off the north coast of Lombok, discover one of Indonesia’s dreamiest destinations.
Made up of three small islands, Gili Trawangan (or Gili T), Gili Meno and Gili Air, this prized tropical archipelago is fringed by beautiful white sand beaches. Well-known for an abundant sea life with vibrant corals and reefs, the Gili Islands have long been regarded as one of the most popular dive locations in Indonesia.
Which island is for me?
Beyond the sand and sea, each Gili Island offers its own unique character. Whether you want to soak up the sun all day, party the night away, learn to dive, or simply relax and enjoy a tropical getaway, you’re bound to find your own slice of paradise here.
The largest, busiest and most developed of the Gili Islands, Gili T is known as the ‘party island’ with it famous nightlife and full moon-style beach parties.It’s also one of the cheapest places to learn to dive with plenty of reputable dive schools to choose from.
You can rent masks and fins right off the beach, or book at any of the numerous dive shops to arrange snorkelling at nearby spots. A daily snorkelling program usually includes three or four spots around the three islands plus a two-hour lunch break.
You can easily walk or cycle the circumference of the island in roughly two hours. The eastern side is where you’ll find most of the — island’s accommodation, — dining — and nightlife clustered. There are plenty of good quality — hostels, — budget bungalows and upscale hotels and villas to choose from.
Of these, Hotel Vila Ombak is perfectly located on the south east coast of Gili T and offers exceptional value for money. The hotel features a selection of traditionally inspired guestrooms to cater to all budgets including — Lumbung Terraces, — Huts, — Family Bungalows, — Deluxe Rooms and Private Pool Villas. All rooms are fully equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning, — in room safe, — minibar and refrigerator, — coffee and tea making facilities, — satellite TV, — IDD telephone and all feature large semi-open bathrooms.
The hotel has an impressive range of facilities and services, — including a 24-hour health clinic, — business centre, — watersport centre, — souvenir and art shop, — three-level swimming pool with whirlpool and pool bar, — laundry and dry cleaning service, — money exchange service, — tour desk, — ATM and Wi-Fi hot spot.
For the ultimate in pampering and relaxation, the Ombak Spa offers a wide range of luxurious health and beauty treatments.
The hotel is close to magnificent snorkelling and diving sites, and has its own diving academy with fully qualified instructors to cater for all levels of diving abilities. Hotel Vila Ombak also — has its own 100-metre private beach, — and can arrange tours and excursions including Gili Island hopping tours, — Mount Rinjani excursions, — glass bottom boat trips, — sea kayaking and snorkelling.
When it’s time to eat, Gili T offers a range of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. There’s fine dining, — stylish beach clubs, — trendy cafes and popular night food markets for delicious barbecue dinners.
Gili T’s social atmosphere is a massive draw for visitors from all over the world. There’s a selection of pubs and clubs, as well as beach parties complete with DJs and fire dancers.
For those who prefer a more laid back scene, the western side of the island is much quieter, and is mostly occupied by upscale resorts and chilled out sunset beachfront bars where each evening people gather to enjoy a sundowner and sensational sunset views.
Hotel Ombak Sunset is a haven for those seeking the tranquility of an idyllic, island escape on the quiet western side of Gili T and boasts stunning sunset views.
A range of room categories include — Deluxe Terrace Rooms, — Island and Sunset Bungalows, — the Agung Ocean View Room, — Agung Ocean View Suite and the Two-Bedroom Suite. Each spacious room and suite has its own private balcony or terrace with — exceptional ocean, — pool or garden views. The smallest details have been carefully considered when it comes to comfort with modern conveniences including Wi-Fi throughout the resort and in all rooms.
Hotel Ombak Sunset offers tours and cruises around the Gili Islands and on mainland Lombok. — Explore local food markets, — traditional temples, — have fun banana boating, — glass bottom boating, — snorkelling and diving. Enjoy the sanctuary of Akira Spa and pamper yourself from head to toe with relaxing massages and spa treatments. Hotel Ombak Sunset also boasts exceptional dining options with a selection of gourmet Western favourites and exotic Indonesian options.
No trip to the Gili Islands is complete without a picture on the datu swing. These ocean swings are all over the Gili Islands. Head there during the day and they might be empty enough that you can relax on them for a while. At sunset, tourists often line up to take photos of these romantic swing sets.
If it’s a romantic escape you have in mind, Gili Meno is for you.
The smallest and most peaceful of the islands, Gili Meno offers a quiet alternative to Gili T and is best suited to those seeking to unwind and disconnect. Most visitors arrive via Gili T then jump on a connecting island hopper boat for the 15-minute trip across the channel.
Gili Meno boasts some of the best beaches of all three islands. Swimming is perfectly safe in the calm waters just off the shore but don’t venture too far out as there can be strong currents.
There are some spectacular dive sites on Gili Meno including the Bounty, a sunken pier and Meno Wall. There are several good spots for snorkelling, and gear can be hired at almost any cafe or hotel. Hawksbill and green turtles call the waters around Gili Meno home, particularly on the northwest corner.
Most of the development on Gili Meno is found on the southern half of the east coast. The island is dotted with beach bars, — warungs and restaurants that serve everything from authentic Sasak cuisine and Indonesian fare, — to pastas, — pizzas and even organic juices and salads, — and many places set up a seafood barbecue every evening.
Gili Meno’s salt lake showcases a collection of flora and fauna that is remarkable for such a small island ecosystem. — Migratory birds, — rare blue kingfishers and tropical birds can be spotted here, — and the salt lake is also home to the elusive monitor lizard.
At two by one kilometres, a leisurely walk around the island is a must. Getting lost in the network of paths that lead into the villages and back to the beach is a great way to get to know the locals and Gili Meno’s unique island life.
If you’re looking for somewhere quiet to relax with a laidback nightlife and good range of facilities, Gili Air offers the perfect blend of Gili T and Gili Meno with a slight hippy feel.
The closest Gili Island to Lombok, Gili Air uninterrupted views of Lombok’s mountainous northern coast and the magnificent Mt Rinjani. Island hopper boats are the preferred mode of transport to Gili Air from Gili Trawangan, neighbouring Gili Meno and mainland Lombok.
Nightlife consists of a more of a chilled out bar scene and the occasional beach party. The eastern side of the island is lined with plenty of beach bars and restaurants. Local craftsman shops and market stalls sell beautiful jewellery, artwork and garments There are several dive centres, yoga studios and lots of places to hire bikes and snorkelling gear. The coral reef off the north and east coasts provide great snorkelling. Gili Air also attracts surfers, and with the right conditions, there is a good surf break off the south of the island.
Gili Air has a wide range of accommodation to suit every taste and budget. Accommodation consists mostly of comfortable bungalows for budget travellers and backpackers, and upscale hotels and villas are becoming increasingly available.
Getting there
Located just off the northwest tip of Lombok, the Gili Islands are easily accessible by air or boat.
From Bali
To get to the Gili Islands from Bali, there are numerous direct boat services. Fast boats offer swift connections, taking around about two hours between Bali and Gili Trawangan.
The fast boat to from Bali goes from several ports: Benoa, Sanur, Padang Bai and Amed. If you are travelling from southern Bali locations such as Kuta and Seminyak, the closest port is Benoa. However, you can depart from Padang Bai if you want a shorter crossing. Also depart from Padang Bai if you are staying in or around Ubud. Amed is suitable if you are staying in or around Amed, Tulamben, Candidasa or north Bali locations such as Lovina or Pemuteran.
By Air
There are no airports on the Gili Islands. The nearest airport is the international airport on the mainland of Lombok.
The airport is served by flights all over Indonesia including — Jakarta, — Surabaya, — Denpasar, and — Makassan. International flights are available from Singapore with Silk Air, and from Kuala Lumpur with Air Asia.
From Lombok Airport, transfers are available to Bangsal Harbour. The cheapest way is to take a taxi to Pemenang, walk to Bangsal, and then take the Public boat (ferry) from there. However, this may involve long waits and dealing with particularly unpleasant hawkers.
A chartered boat from → Senggigi (1-2 hr) and speedboat from → Teluk Nare (30 min) are also options.
If you’re feeling fancy, the most stylish way to get to the Gili Islands from Bali is via a 45-minute helicopter charter. The flight departs from the state-of-the-art helipad in Benoa, flies over the Lombok Strait and lands in Paradise Sunset beach in Gili T. The aerial views of Bali and Lombok’s mountain peaks and the Gili islands from above are simply stunning.
Getting around
There is no motorised transport on the Gili Islands. Bicycles are a popular way to get around and are available for rent all over the islands. There also are horse-drawn carts, known as cidomos, but due to the significant questions about the treatment of the horses, it’s advisable not to use them. The islands are only a few kilometres in diametre so it’s entirely possible to get around by walking.
The maze of paths that criss-cross the islands can get surprisingly confusing, but these always lead back to the coast path eventually.
