Gili Pesona

Mobile network coverage is the main thing to plan around here. Our phones were very likely to have no signal, so calls or texts could be a problem. If you need to receive an SMS, take care of it before coming, unless you’re willing to climb the hill. The local Wi-Fi worked really well. We come to Gili Pesona on weekends now and then to escape the rush and snorkel at nearby beaches. We love spending evenings on the terrace of the blue cabin, where sunrise and the sound of the surf greet you, with endless sea through the windows. There are different places to stay, from simple rooms and two-floor blocks with kitchens to seafront cabins and a luxury villa up the hill. Everything was clean and tidy, and the shared pool was kept clean too. It’s a 20-minute bike ride from Amed and three hours from any Bali tourist location. A number of cafes deliver food, and some menus are already in the room. We like Ibus Sea View Warung and Trattoria Amed, both five minutes away by bike. Breakfast served on site is simple but worthwhile.

The owners are a lovely, funny couple, and the villas are very clean and comfortable. The pool is amazing, and you can walk down from the cliff to a rocky beach with a magical feel. The sunrise views are beautiful.

The location was a big drawback for us. It’s 20-30 minutes by scooter from Amed central, and the roads to the south are in poor condition. Most activities, beaches, snorkelling spots, and restaurants are farther north, so this is about as far south as you can get in the Amed tourist area. We spent most of the day away and came back mainly to sleep. There are better value places that cost less and are better located, so I wouldn’t stay again. There are four rooms, a pool, and a nice ocean view. We chose a mid-tier split-level room, with the bed upstairs and a couch and small kitchen below, though we didn’t need the kitchen. There was AC upstairs and a fan downstairs. Keeping the blinds shut helps with the sun and heat. Hot water in the shower was quite poor, and we had to ask for fresh towels on the days we needed them. The room wasn’t made up during our stay. Breakfast came from offsite and was basic, with a choice of something like nasi goreng, mi goreng, or a plain omelette. You had to choose the time and meal the day before.

We stayed in a two-floor apartment, with a living room and kitchen downstairs and a bedroom and shower room above. The owners were funny, and it was a pleasant place. We wanted to have the grounds to ourselves, but cats or employees would pass by now and then. The pool was pretty cold, while the ocean was warmer. There’s access to the water, though the beach isn’t safe because of the big rocks and live coral.