Hotel Vila Ombak

Billing itself as the first international hotel on Gili Trawangan, this large property echoes the natural beauty of its surroundings. The landscaped gardens are peppered with palm trees and cabanas, and crisscrossed by footpaths that connect its facilities. Several wooden gazebos with intricate detail are placed throughout the grounds, and ample wicker loungers surround the two pleasant outdoor pools. The design throughout is contemporary with charming Balinese details such as vaulted wood ceilings, carved-wood panels, and stone sculptures. The highlight of the property is its setting along a quiet beach, though the mostly tranquil atmosphere can occasionally be disturbed by calls to prayer from a nearby mosque. Most guests are couples, including honeymooners, though families with kids and groups of friends are also found here. 

This sprawling resort is set on the southeastern side of Gili Trawangan, the biggest and busiest of the three islands just off of the coast of Lombok. It faces a broad sandy beach and has its own pier. Daily speedboats take two and a half hours from Bali’s Serangan harbor, or one hour from Padang Bai Harbour. Alternatively, Gili Trawangan can be reached by a 15-minute speedboat ride from mainland Lombok. There are regular flights to Lombok International Airport from Bali, Jakarta, and Surabaya, as well as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Hotel Vila Ombak can arrange a pick-up service from Lombok International Airport to the resort’s private pier (two hours).

Guests arriving at Gili Trawangan’s ferry terminal can get a cidomo (horse-drawn carriage) to the resort, or walk nine minutes. Gili Trawangan is relatively small and takes around an hour and a half to circle by horse cart or on a bicycle, which can be rented from the resort. There are no scooters on the island. 

Hotel Vila Ombak offers six room categories, starting with the budget-friendly Superior Lumbung Terraces and two-story Traditional Lumbung Huts with semi-outdoor bathrooms and open-air living areas with daybeds and hammocks. The latter, inspired by traditional Sasak rice barns, are the oldest rooms and many guests report that they're showing wear and have occasional maintenance issues such as malfunctioning air conditioners. The Deluxe Terrace Rooms are located near the Hidden Pool and come with spacious furnished terraces, indoor bathrooms, and garden views, while Deluxe Ombak Rooms have interconnecting options and semi-outdoor bathrooms. The most impressive option are the 10 Akoya Pool Villas that come with spacious private gardens with pools, open-air living rooms, and daybeds that can be converted into an additional bed. 

All rooms feature paneled walls, wooden furniture, and marble floors, but not much in the way of creative touches aside from a lone piece of artwork. Crisp white sheets are topped with brown- or blue-patterned bed runners and matching throw pillows. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs with 28 satellite channels, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, safes, slippers and kimonos, two free bottles of water daily, and seasonal tropical fruit on arrival. While the bathrooms vary from generic to sumptuous, all are relatively spacious and come with quality toiletries and hairdryers. Akoya Pool Villas come with both showers and deep bathtubs. 

As the grounds are quite extensive, guests wishing not to walk too much should request a room close to reception. Some guests have complained about noise, particularly those that are closest to the nearby mosque. 

This resort features ample facilities geared toward adults looking to soak up the sunshine. Padded sunbeds and umbrellas line a wooden deck abutting the beach. There are two lovely pools, including the multi-level beachside pool and the smaller Hidden Pool Bar pool. Both have swim-up bars and decks furnished with lounge chairs and umbrellas. The larger pool is a few steps from the resort’s restaurant, Ombak Joglo Restaurant, which offers three meals with both Western and Asian options, including an extensive free buffet breakfast. Romantic dinners, either in a beach cabana or in the privacy of one of the villas, can be arranged at an additional cost. Blue Beach Bar is open until midnight and serves cocktails, imported and local beer, and spirits.

The pleasant Roemah Spa offers a range of treatments including hot-stone and Ayurvedic massages, coconut body scrubs, and skin-purification facials. The on-site Water Sports Centre can organize a wide range of water activities, including glass-bottom boating, snorkeling, and canoeing. Tours can also be arranged around the two nearby islands (Gili Air and Gili Meno) and mainland Lombok. The on-site Villa Ombak Divers can arrange accredited PADI courses, and it caters to all levels. An on-site, 24-hour medical clinic is available for guests. On the downside, there is no gym, and the free Wi-Fi is spotty.