Gili Beachfront Suites

Our three-night stay was a disappointment, and I wouldn’t recommend spending the time and money to get to Gili T. Transport is expensive, and for us the effort would have been better spent staying longer in Bali. We booked through Agoda without any booking trouble, but the hotel’s location felt hostile. The sound of Muslim prayers was loud day and night and irritating, and the building’s design made us feel as if we were staying in a mosque. The staff seemed careless: breakfast started at 7:30, but everything was cold and nobody seemed bothered to warm it up. The view from our room was a disaster. Although we had not booked a beachfront room, I still expected a decent view, but kept the curtains closed throughout our stay. In general, people in Gili seemed less friendly than in Bali. Be careful with street vendors who rent snorkeling gear. I left my sunglasses with one and lost them; after that day the vendor had disappeared and I never saw him again. There are many better properties in GilliT, in my view.

We didn't stay at this place, but we spent every day at its beach bar. After seeing the whole island, I can confidently say it has the best lookout for watching turtles swim by in the gorgeous clear water. You can sip a cocktail, then jump straight in from the bar for a swim or snorkel. The food was delicious and the cocktails were well priced. The staff made it feel extra special by remembering our names after our first visit. Definitely don't miss it.

The booking through Agoda went smoothly, but the hotel itself fell short for us. It’s far from the harbour and main attractions, so getting to restaurants and busy parts of the island is inconvenient. You pretty much need to rent an e-bike or bicycle. Other hotels closer to those areas may suit travelers better. We also found the surroundings uncomfortable. Prayer calls nearby were very loud day and night, making it hard to relax or sleep, and the hotel’s design reflected a style we hadn’t expected for a holiday. Breakfast was poor, with very few choices and the same food each day. Some items seemed prepared in advance, and when the toaster didn’t work, there was no alternative. We chose a room away from the beach but still hoped for a decent window view. The view was unpleasant enough that we kept the curtains closed for most of our three nights. Our experience in Gili T was quite unlike Bali, where we found the hospitality much warmer. Be cautious about leaving your belongings with temporary street vendors renting snorkeling gear. We lost our sunglasses that way. With the time, cost and effort needed to reach Gili T, this trip didn’t feel worthwhile to us. We’d rather spend more time in Bali, where we found the welcome and overall experience much better.

The best part is the breakfast restaurant, where you can go straight down to see sea turtles. Breakfast was average, and since I visited during rainy season there was no buffet, just a simple menu to order from. The room was big enough, but the building’s balcony was small and it didn’t really have a vacation feel.