H.Said Homestay

At 5 in the morning we could hear the mosque prayers quite clearly. Otherwise, we had a lovely two-night stay. The owners made us feel welcome and were very helpful, even getting us brand new bikes and suggesting some great local restaurants. There are around 5-6 rooms, so it felt peaceful. The rooms are simple, just as we expected, and it’s a short walk to the main street and close to the city center.

I lived here for four months while in Gili, and it became home. Agung and Ida are the best landlords I’ve ever had, really kind people who are always ready to help. The place is centrally located but tucked away from the busy main road.

The room was difficult to breathe in, and I suspect bug spray may have been used. I was concerned about the health risk and wished they’d been upfront about it at check-in. I ended up leaving a day early because of the discomfort. I did enjoy staying with the family for most of my week. Mr. Anung was incredibly friendly, and his hospitality made me feel at home. It was affordable, so I could keep money for other activities, and I liked getting a genuine feel for local life and culture. He also helped me improve my Indonesian.

The location worked really well, a short walk from the main road and nightlife noise, and only about 30 seconds from the island’s biggest supermarket. Bike rental and tours were competitively priced, too. We found this family-run homestay great value, with clean rooms, a lovely breakfast, and friendly people. Glad we picked it.