These are just quick overviews, I'll dive into more details about each location, talk about the pros & cons, and share my recommendations for the best hotels, so keep reading.
Neighborhood
Heading a bit west from the main street on the east side, you'll enter an area where locals live and find various commercial buildings like laundries, sim card shops, a mosque, and a school.
- Close to the main street
- No need for a horse cart taxi
- No beach or sea view
- Might experience the loud party music
It's not too far from where people first arrive on the island, so you can skip the pricey horse cart taxi.
This is the go-to spot for budget-conscious travelers. You'll find plenty of affordable hotels around! They might not be super fancy, but they're decent.
Please check the reviews before booking, as some may fall below standard. And watch out for hotels too close to the mosque speaker, you don't want an early morning wakeup call.
Lucky for you, I've done the homework, and here are my top picks for hotels in the neighborhood 👇🏻
West side
The west side is where you'll find some fancy beachfront hotels and cool spots with swings and hammocks. It's the go-to place for catching breathtaking sunsets and horseback rides.
- Noise-free
- Less crowded
- Far from the main street
- Need a horse cart taxi
The beaches here are chill, great for families. Unlike the east side, which has the noisy nightclubs, the west side is quiet, no loud party tunes or mosque wake-up calls.
But to get there, you might need a horse cart taxi, around IDR 150,000 or US$10. Walking's an option, but I wouldn't recommend it. It's about 3 km from the jetty on the east.
The only bummer is that if you're heading to the east to visit the night market or to just chill on street, the bike ride can be a bit of a workout.
But I looovee cruising on the west side at night 🚲 It's like seeing the place wake up after a nap. The cozy lights from the restaurants make it feel all romantic.
Wanna stay here? Check out my recommendations below 👇🏻
Northwest side
People often say you have to choose between Gili Meno or Gili Air for a honeymoon, but guess what? You can make it magical on Gili Trawangan too, if you know where to stay.
The northwest to the north side of Gili Trawangan is the least explored area on the island, making it perfect for a honeymoon spot!
- Least crowded
- Laid-back atmosphere
- Too far from the main street
- Definitely need a horse cart taxi
You'll feel like the beach is your private haven since you'll barely find any tourists strolling along the streets of the north side of the island.
It offers a similar vibe to the east side of Gili Air – very chill and laid-back.
I specifically recommend the northwest side because the beaches on the north side aren't that great, but those on the northwest are some of the best on the island.
While there might not be much going on in terms of regular vacation activities, if you're on a honeymoon, this is the ideal place to stay.
Take a look at my top hotel picks on the northwest and north sides 👇🏻
East side
The east side of Gili Trawangan is like the downtown of the island, and it's where you arrive with your ferry. From top to bottom, it's packed with commercial buildings, no gaps, that's why it's called the main street.
- Close to main attractions
- No need for a horse cart taxi
- Crowded
- Loud music
If you're up for being close to the night market, nightclubs, and the cool beaches on the east side, it's a solid spot.
some people after a wild night at the club, end up booking a nearby hotel because they're too drunk to ride a bicycle back.
Personally, I'd avoid staying here because you might experience the loud party music, though the crowd doesn't bother me.
If you're set on staying here, check out my recommendations for the best hotels on the east side that are away from the mosque and have little to no party music 👇🏻
Island center
Another great spot for couples on their honeymoon! The center of Gili Trawangan is surrounded by lush greenery with not many commercial buildings around.
The tranquil ambiance makes it perfect for families too! It's away from the hustle and bustle of the main street, and it's an ideal part of the island if you prefer nature over the beach.
- Very calm
- Family-friendly
- Need a horse cart taxi
- Street can be dark at night
This area is essentially a shortcut to get from the east to the west of the island, making travel quick whether you want to go west, east, or even north.
Since the location is surrounded by forests, I wouldn't recommend staying in a hotel, renting a villa is a better option for the best experience.
You'll have access to a pool, kitchen, and the entire property for yourself, your partner, or even your family. If you're considering staying here, check out my recommendations 👇🏻
That's it! I hope it helped you decide where you want to stay! Check out more guides about Gili Trawangan below. Have a fantastic vacation!
