Gili Amara Resort, Gili Trawangan
A boutique resort on the quiet side of Gili T.
Private pool villas and beachfront dining a short cidomo ride from the harbour, set on a stretch of Gili Trawangan where the only traffic is bicycles and horse carts.
The Resort
Gili Amara sits on the southern side of Gili Trawangan, a short cidomo ride from the harbour and well clear of the strip of bars on the island's north side. There are no cars anywhere on the island, so the only sounds outside your villa are bicycle bells, waves, and the occasional horse cart passing on the sand track out front.
Most villas open onto their own small pool and garden, spaced apart across the property so you're rarely aware of another guest. Meals lean on what the local boats bring in each morning, and the kitchen keeps a small garden of its own for herbs and greens.
Being surrounded by reef rather than road, Gili Amara treats the water as seriously as the villas: the house reef is a no-anchor zone, and the team runs a standing beach clean-up along the shoreline out front.
Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
Gili Amara
This isn't a resort built for photographs. It's built for the version of a holiday where you forget what day it is. Every villa, path, and dining table is arranged so the reef and the coastline stay the main event, never the backdrop.
Four Ways to Slow Down
The best thing you can do on this island is nothing at all.
Gili Amara is built around long mornings, longer lunches, and evenings that end with a walk down to the beach for sunset. There's no itinerary here unless you ask for one.
A Day at Gili Amara
There's no fixed schedule at Gili Amara. Most days settle into a rhythm something like this one.
Turtle Reef Swim
7:00 AMA short swim out to the house reef, where green turtles feed on the seagrass most mornings before the day boats arrive.
Floating Breakfast
9:00 AMFruit and pastries set adrift on your own plunge pool, made from what the local boats brought in that morning.
Island Bicycle Loop
11:00 AMA slow ride around Gili Trawangan on one of the resort's bicycles, past the harbour, the paddy strip, and the quiet east coast.
Sunset at the Point
6:00 PMDrinks on the sand as the sun drops behind Bali's coastline, with dinner laid out on the beach as the light turns gold.
Rooted on the reef
Gili Trawangan has been car-free for decades, and Gili Amara was built around that same low-impact instinct — no motorised transport on site, and a few extra habits of its own.
What Our Guests Say
Most people who stay at Gili Amara come back within a couple of years. Here's some of what they've told us since.
We picked Gili Amara for our anniversary and it turned out to be exactly the quiet corner of the island we needed. The staff remembered our names by day two, and someone went so far out of his way to make the week feel special that we're already planning when to come back.
Far enough from the party strip that it's properly quiet at night, but still an easy bike ride in if you want the noise for an evening. Best of both, and genuinely good value for what you get.
Saw three turtles on the house reef before breakfast on our first morning and that pretty much sold us on the whole stay. Ask for a table near the water at sunset if you can.
Gallery
A few glimpses of the island, the villas, and the days in between.
Good to Know
The questions that come up most before a stay at Gili Amara. Can't find yours here — just reach out.
How do we get to the resort?
Fly into Lombok International Airport, then it's a road transfer to the harbour at Bangsal or Teluk Nare, followed by a short boat crossing to Gili Trawangan. There are no cars on the island, so we send a cidomo horse cart to meet you at the jetty for the final stretch to your villa.
What are check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 2:00 PM and check-out is by 11:00 AM. If your boat gets in early or your flight leaves late, let us know — we'll hold your bags and set you up with a day room or villa access when we can.
Is Gili Amara suitable for families and for couples?
Both. The villas are spaced far enough apart that families with young children won't disturb anyone, and couples looking for quiet still have that option on the resort's south-facing side. We don't run a kids' club, but the team can arrange a babysitter with advance notice.
Can the kitchen handle dietary restrictions?
Yes — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and most allergies are handled without any issue, since a good share of what's served is grown or landed locally rather than shipped in. Flag any requirements when you book so the kitchen can plan ahead.
Is Wi-Fi available, and how reliable is it?
Every villa and the main restaurant have Wi-Fi. Gili Trawangan's connection can slow down during peak season, so if you're planning to work from your villa, the strongest signal tends to be near the main house rather than the villas furthest from it.
How far are we from the party strip on the north side?
About a 15 to 20 minute bicycle ride, or a slightly shorter cidomo ride. Close enough for an evening out, far enough that you won't hear it from your villa at night.
What's included in the room rate?
All rates include daily breakfast, bicycle use for the length of your stay, and return harbour transfers by boat and cidomo. Spa treatments, the cooking class, and boat excursions are booked separately, and the front desk can put together a full itinerary before you arrive.