Mad Monkey Gili Trawangan - Hostel

The atmosphere was fantastic, with something planned every night, from foam parties and game nights to beer pong competitions. The kitchen was being renovated while I was there, so they put on a good barbecue night instead. I especially loved the Mexican family dinner on our first night, totally worth it. Titi and Yoga were especially helpful, signing everyone up for activities and keeping things chill. One of the best party hostels I’ve stayed at. I’d absolutely recommend it!

The vibe and people at Mad Monkey made for an amazing stay. One of the volunteers, Servane, deserves a special shoutout for going out of their way to make everyone feel welcome and included. That made my stay even better. Highly recommend if you’re after great energy and unforgettable memories!

Rudy was so kind and helpful, always in a good mood. His professionalism and positive energy made our stay even better. We found the hostel clean and comfortable, with a welcoming feel and a good location. The common areas were great for meeting people or relaxing. We had a great stay, highly recommend it, and would definitely come back! ✨🏡 Mariam & Veronica

The tent was the weakest part of the stay. The AC barely cools and is extremely loud, while the fan noise made it uncomfortable to sleep. The overall environment didn’t justify the price or hype. They require a passport or 50k deposit, which is reasonable, but the stay itself didn’t meet expectations. There’s no wifi in the rooms or tents, only in the common area. It feels like this is meant to keep guests by the bar or pool so the place looks lively, and mobile reception inside the tents is very poor. We picked Mad Monkey after hearing so much about the foam party, but the experience didn’t match what was presented. Check-in was quick and our room was ready, though there was no introduction or briefing, and Hardy at the front desk came across as unnecessarily arrogant. The interaction felt surprisingly unfriendly for a hospitality business. The service was the most disappointing part. Staff seemed to engage more with Australian and EU guests, while Indian guests were barely acknowledged. After talking with other guests, it seemed to be a common feeling. The party atmosphere also felt manufactured. A few staff tried to create energy, but it came off as forced. Even beer pong was monopolized by staff while guests waited, and again the interaction seemed selective. The property’s surroundings are extremely quiet after sunset, and you need to travel to the harbor for decent restaurants or cafés. A large portion of the positive reviews come from non-Indian travellers, which is fine, but it creates a skewed impression, so read them with context. If Indian guests aren’t a priority, it would be more respectful to say so before accepting bookings. We’ve lived in Dubai for over a decade and know genuine hospitality and well-managed social spaces. This experience didn’t meet that standard. Mad Monkey has potential, but management should address consistent friendliness, working AC and ventilation, clean and well-maintained shared facilities, and reliable wifi in the rooms. These are basic expectations even for a budget or 2-star hostel, not extras.