Villa Pulau Cinta

Think carefully before booking this villa. We enjoyed much of our stay: it felt like having our own home by a crystal-clear beach, the team were kind and smiling, and the food was delicious. The chef was excellent, and there are other lovely restaurants and beach bars nearby. Breakfast was included, but compared with another hotel we stayed at, it wasn’t generous. There were two issues. The beach bar in front was very noisy on the day we arrived and through the night. Live music can be nice, but we came to Gili Meno for calm. Our second day happened to be quiet, but the nights were noisy. We were also charged for one night because bad weather meant we couldn’t get a boat to the island. I understand the booking was non-refundable, but we didn’t cancel; we couldn’t find a boat. The manager offered us the last dinner, worth 800,000, about €52, which was succulent, thanks to the chef. But the night cost Rp 3,004,000, about €193, so I would rather have paid twice the dinner price than be charged for a no-show night. There was a policy for cancellations but none for no-shows, and that left me disappointed.

The staff are what made our stay unforgettable. From arrival, they were kind, friendly and attentive, always going the extra mile to make us feel at home. For our special occasion, they arranged a horse ride by the beach followed by a romantic sunset dinner there, with candles and lanterns. The food may have been the best on Gili meno, and the chef was lovely to talk with as she learned what we liked. Her rendang was the best I’ve ever had. The villas themselves are gorgeous, with big, spacious, well-designed rooms and a subtle luxury that still fits the island. They had every amenity we could need, and the ocean breeze made it easy to relax. I couldn’t have picked a better place on Gilli Meno. It’s an experience I’ll never forget, and I hope I’m lucky enough to return one day. 10 out of 10.

We had the best time in this beautiful villa. The location is phenomenal, and the staff were lovely and so accommodating. Our rooms were spacious and kept immaculate.

The place has a warm, almost homelike feel, and we enjoyed the music, staff and location. Nani deserves a special thank you for her dedication. As manager, she showed us around and organized everything, always trying to help quickly and with a smile. Esha was also so attentive and accommodating, with a calm, pleasant manner. We hope the fresh water comes back soon, then everything would be perfect. Best wishes!