7SEAS Cottages

This beachfront resort offers a quiet, laid-back island atmosphere on Gili Air -- about as away-from-it-all as you can get in Indonesia. Buildings throughout are crafted of local materials such as bamboo and recycled wood, and the resort aims to preserve the local biodiversity with practices such as saving and reusing natural resources like rainwater. This hotel is a popular spot for divers, as well as other tourists looking for a relaxed island getaway. Many guests are European couples and honeymooners, but families also stay here to take advantage of the spacious family cottages. It also works well for groups of friends and individuals, as there are multi-bed backpacker dorms available. 

7SEAS is located on a white sandy beach on Gili Air, about a five-minute walk from the ferry terminal. It's surrounded by other hotels, warungs, and local shops selling beach clothes and diving equipment. Most guests arrive on the island by boat from Bali or Lombok, and the hotel provides transfers for a fee. There are no cars or motorized vehicles on the island, as they are prohibited. Transportation is by bicycle, horse and cart, or on foot. The island is so small, guests can walk around it in about an hour. 

The resort offers 20 Standard Rooms, 12 cottages, eight Backpacker Dorms, and one private two-bedroom villa. Most are basic, with tile floors, white walls, open closets, and hardwood bed frames and night stands. Lovely Indonesian bed runners add color, though there's little in the way of art. Bathrooms also are basic, with open tiled showers. Large private terraces are furnished with two rattan chairs and little tables. Privacy fences are crafted of bamboo. Wi-Fi is free in the rooms, though it can be spotty. Additionally, given the thin bamboo walls in many units, you're likely to hear conversations in neighboring rooms.

The backpacker dorms accommodate four people with a double bed and a set of single bunk beds. There is no air-conditioning, and the bunk beds are a bit rickety. Bathrooms are shared, and showers are cold water. Wi-Fi is free. Cottages are crafted of bamboo and mostly recycled wood. Fans hang from high ceilings, and beds are draped in mosquito netting. Family Cottages have two levels, with double beds topped by bunk beds on the first floor, and double beds on the second as well. These also have terraces on the first floor and balconies on the second. Open-air bathroom have large showers. Amenities include air-conditioning (that's not always powerful) and safes.

The Nautilus Villa has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private pool, fully equipped kitchen, and a living area. It's attractively designed and decorated in traditional Javanese joglo style, with a combination of wood and tile floors, wooden furniture, wooden columns, and wood and bamboo ceilings. The kitchen and living area open up to the large outdoor terrace and pool, creating a breezy unified space. There's a hut with beanbag chairs for those who prefer to relax in the shade, and loungers in the sun. Bathrooms are open-air and feature carved above-counter sinks and huge outdoor showers with statues and lush greenery. The villa is the only unit that has a TV.

This resort offers all the basics needed for an island vacation. The Garden Cafe serves Western and Indonesian fare for all meals. It's an open-air space on the beach where guests can dine at tables under a roof, in lounge chairs on the sand, in a baruga hut, or on bar stools at the bar. Breakfast is free for all guests except those in the backpacker dorms. Food gets generally positive marks from previous guests. The outdoor pool isn't fancy, but it has lounge chairs and greenery all around. Keep in mind that it is used to train divers at times. The wide sandy beach is lovely, and lounge chairs and shaded huts are provided. Guests who prefer to relax can hang out in the hammocks under the trees. The on-site dive shop offers snorkeling and diving, and it sells beachwear. Other activities include surfing, island tours, and spa services. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but it can be spotty.