Lonley Planet – Bali and Lombok regional travel guide is a comprehensive reference for places to stay in all of these areas. Below are the places we have checked out personally.
GILI MENO
You can stay in any of the 20 or so bungalows on Gili Meno. The island is tiny and can be circled in about 20 minutes by chidomo or 45 minutes by foot. Bicycle rentals are also available. Most bungalows on Gili meno are basic, it is a very quiet simple island where you can really unwind and get away from it ALL. We will be staying on Gili Meno from the 3rd to the 7th of February. If you do not want to stay on Gili Meno during that time, it is easily reachable by boat from Lombok, Gili Trawangan and Gili Air. See below for accommodation on those islands but please note that boat transportation between islands is limited to daytime hours.
Biru Meno
Our favorite place to stay on Gili Meno features artisanal huts directly on the beach where we plan to get married. The sunrise just outside your room is spectacular. The rooms come with free breakfast and we recommend the banana pancake, but they also make a mean omlet and toast. Prices range from 30-50$ a night and fresh water and air-conditioning may or may not be included with your room. A salt water shower is great for your complexion! We have booked all ten bungalows so please contact us if you want to stay here as these bungalows will be the first to go!
Villa Nautilus
Contemporary air conditioned villas on main strip near the harbor and close to Biru Meno with nighly rates ranging from 90-100$ a night. These are the nicest accommodation on Gili Meno and the most expensive. We have booked all seven bungalows so please contact us if you want to stay here as these bungalows are reserved for those who will require certain amenities.
Kontiki bungalows and Gazebo hotel
Both are larger bungalow complexes with air conditioning on the main strip between the harbor and Biru Meno. Please contact them directly to book as we have not reserved any bungalows here.
Malia’s Child
Low budget bungalows on the best beach on Gili meno right between the harbor and Biru Meno. We always spend our days on the beach in front of Malia’s Child under the trees drinking fresh juice from their restaurant. The restaurant and bar is also a popular dinner destination. Please contact them directly to book as we have not reserved any bungalows here.
Good heart and Sunset Gecko
Two options on the sunset side of the island. Sunset Gecko is the backpacker favorite and is awesome except it has few rooms with private bathrooms. If you don’t mind sharing a bathroom this is the best bang for your buck. Please contact them directly to book as we have not reserved any bungalows here.
LOMBOK
The Oberoi Lombok
This is where our wedding reception on February 7th will be held and where we will be staying that night. It would be most convenient for guests to stay here the night of the reception however it is the most expensive hotel on Lombok and there are a few other less expensive options nearby.
The Oberoi is a hideaway with acres of tropical gardens, shimmering ocean and golden sands along a private beach. The Oberoi, Lombok, has an intimate ambience, with thatched-roof villas and terraced pavilions dotting 24 acres of tropical gardens. The villas and pavilions have expansive, shaded terraces to relax in, while you look out at beautiful gardens or beaches. All the villas and terrace pavilions offer spacious bedrooms and feature local colours, textures and artefacts.
Lombok Lodge
A brand new boutique hotel with a contemporary design, consisting of only 9 stylish Lodge Suites, Lombok Lodge is a luxury beachfront resort right next door to the Oberoi with similarly priced rooms. All rates include A la Carte Breakfast and stunning 5-Course Dinner for two. The Lombok Lodge offers the luxury and the service of a 5 star establishment within the dimensions of an attractive, privately run hotel.
Medana Resortk
Medana Resort is an “Insiders Hideaway” on Medana Peninsula, located very close to the Oberoi this traditional hotel attracts other Indonesians and is beautiful and economical.
Tugu Hotel Lombok
Also near the Oberoi, Hotel Tugu Lombok has miles of virgin white sand beaches and a neighboring 18 hole-golf course. This large hotel has a variety of rooms all decorated with unique themes relating to the history of Lombok and Indonesia. It isn’t very busy in February so there are some great rates for the spacious rooms and you could have almost the entire hotel to yourself. Hotel Tugu Lombok features hundreds of original, beautiful artworks and antiques painstakingly collected and assembled as a loving testament to the long forgotten, original culture of the isle of Lombok.
Quincy Villas
Quincy villas is about a 45 minute drive from the Oberio in Sengeggi on the beach. Its been around for a long time and has really good rates. It is not the most amazing beach on earth but if the other options don’t work for you check this place out.
GILI TRAWANGAN
If you want to stay in the Gili’s but want more action than the slow pace on Gili Meno, then Gili Trawangan is for you. Whether it’s large modern Villas with private pools or a serious nightlife, Gili Trawangan basically has everything Gili Meno doesn’t. There are many places to stay on Trawangan, lonely planet is a great reference and we checked out most hotels on the island, so if you have any questions just ask us.
Kokomo
The most popular place on Trawangan, there are private villas with private pools and a restaurant with upscale western food.
The Trawangan
We really liked this place and its typical Balinese modern style, especially the large stilted hangouts on the beach in front.
Villa Julius
Villa Julius is on the quieter side of the island and is “the first boutique hotel” on the island owned by architects.
Scallywags
In our opinion a quick boat ride over to the Scallywags on Gili Trawangan for lunch is a wonderful idea. The food is excellent, organic and they have great western options when you are sick of Gado Gado. They also have bungalows.
BALI
If you are traveling through Bali there are a multitude of amazing choices of where to stay from the most luxurius hotels and spas to home stays with traditional Balinese families. These two hotels are places we have stayed and love.
Uma Ubud – Our favorite hotel EVER!
Check out the Eskayel blog post about the hotel.
Desa Seni This is a really special hotel and it is near Seminyak one of Bali’s most popular destinations.
JAKARTA
If you have to stay in Jakarta…..
Stay at the
Four Seasons if you want to just stay in the hotel and chill, Jakarta is very hectic and if your just passing through for a night or two this is a great option.
Stay at the Grand Kemang if you want to stay in one of the only cool neighborhoods where you can actually walk around to a few cute restaurants, a night market and some cool shops, or to save a little money. When we stayed there it was a bit dreary and under construction but the rooms are still nice and the neighborhood is great.