Joevana Cottage

Apple made the stay special from the moment we arrived. He made us feel at home, was always happy, and his smile is infectious. He sang outside the accommodation each night, and one evening he sang for us on our balcony. That felt so special. After six months travelling around Asia, he’s been our best host so far, and we already miss him. We’ll definitely return if we come back to Gili T. Joevanna cottage was a great affordable option, with a big room, air con, hot shower, and balcony area. The beach front was only six minutes away, with local shops and restaurants nearby. Breakfast was included and really nice. We had pancakes every morning. The facilities were great, too. Thanks for an amazing stay!

Apol was the icing on the cake for our stay. He’s a master on his guitar and would sit out front singing to people passing by. After a day of scuba diving, he even joined us on our balcony and sang our favourite songs. When we arrived, he greeted me with, “Welcome home Joe.” We’ll definitely stay with Apol again if we return to Gili. The room had plenty of space and storage, a lamp, and air con that worked perfectly. The bathroom was huge, and the hot shower was a treat after three places with only cold showers. Breakfast was great, too. We went for tasty pancakes every morning, though eggs were also available. The location was perfect, with shops and restaurants close by and the beach just six minutes away. I don’t know why he has so few Google reviews, because he really made our stay special. Thank you!

The cockroach in the bathroom, the gap in the wall where mosquitoes could get in, and the broken soap dispenser were extra problems. I can manage without amenities if I can get a decent rest, but I couldn’t. There was construction right next to my room, apparently for an expansion, with constant heavy thumps and hammering from around 8 to noon. It was impossible to relax, so I rebooked elsewhere after two nights of a three-night booking. I spoke with staff about the issues and asked the owner for a refund for the last night. The staff said they had reported it, but the owner seemed not to care. Losing time like that was frustrating. I usually book somewhere with good reviews so I can relax on holiday.

The room was clean and comfortable, and the friendly staff kept the place tidy. There’s air conditioning, hot water in the shower, an outdoor area to chill, and Wi-Fi that was spotty. Everything was great, though I wish the room had a fridge. Highly recommended.