Looking for the best place to stay in Gili Air and the best Gili Air accommodation? Without a doubt, it has to be one of the many private villas in Gili Air!
Gili Air Villas cover the island and they range from 1 bedroom villas with pools, perfect for 2 friends or a couple, to 2-3 bedroom villas with big swimming pools, gardens, living areas and a kitchen, perfect for families or a group of friends.
Gili Air is the most upmarket and most romantic island of the 3 Gili Islands – Gili T, Gili Air and Gili Meno and the Gili Air villas I have recommended you stay in in this blog post reflect this concept. All of these private villas in Gili Air have all been designed beautifully and have the classic ‘Bali style’ feel to them, they all have high ratings on Airbnb because of their high quality and friendly owners, and they all range in price so there is something to fit every budget.
Gili Air Villas
I know that my stay in Gili Air for my friends birthday was made so much more special and so much better because we had our villa and our own space so let’s find you the perfect Gili Air Villa too!
Where is the best place to stay in Gili Air?
Because Gili Air is so small, all of these Gili Air villas are in great locations and are mainly in the middle of the island where they are surrounded by coconut palm trees and local land, close enough to the main road where the harbour, shops, cafes are but also close enough to quiet, white sand beaches that surround Gili air.
Bicycle is the best way to get around Gili Air so you can easily bike all around the island from these private villas in Gili Air!
These best villas in Gili Air are a mix of individual villas and villas in a complex, however, they all offer private space and staff on hand to help you.
Going to Gili Trawangan too? For more Gili Islands Villas, have a look at this post for the best Gili Trawangan Villas!
- More of my must-read Gili Island posts to help plan your trip!
- My Complete Guide to all 3 Gili Islands!
- How to get around the Gili Islands by Fast Boat & Slow Boat!
- Things to do in Gili Trawangan!
- The Perfect 3 Day Gili Island itinerary!
1. Villa Bayu @ Rimba Villas
- Bedrooms – 6
- Sleeps – 3pax
- Location – North of Island
- Price – $$
Villa Bayu is the Gili Air Villa I stayed in for 2 nights to celebrate my friends birthday so I have to put it top of the list for Gili Island Villas!
We loved our stay here, the highlight was the really good sized pool, open-air living area and the 2 spacious bedrooms with super comfy king-size beds!
Two of the bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, detailed with bespoke basin areas and furnished with hot water showers and quality body soap, shampoo and conditioner. The third bathroom is positioned near the pool area and has a semi-outdoor shower for more of a tropical island vibe.
The kitchen is fully equipped and the staff on hand can shop for you for everything you need to make food yourself.
A drinking water dispenser is provided which helps ensure you do not buy plastic bottles of water and helps reduce the plastic consumption on the island.
The large terrace and sundeck areas include comfortable chairs and beanbags for chill-out moments in your private Gili Air villa alongside the private pool and large tropical garden.
If requested, a single bed can be placed in one of the master bedrooms to accommodate one additional child or adult.
PLANNING YOUR GILI ISLANDS TRIP
I lived on Gili Trawangan island for 6 months so I know it well! Here are my top posts to help you plan your trip:
2. Villa Kayu @ Rimba Villas
- Bedrooms – 2
- Sleeps – 4pax
- Location – North of Island
- Price – $$
In the same villa complex as Villa Bayu above and Villa Surya below by Rimba Villas, Villa Kayu is a gorgeous split-level villa comprising two large bedrooms both with their own unique en-suite bathrooms, a kitchen, sundeck and terrace and a private pool surrounded by tropical gardens.
The master bedroom on the upper floor has views over the garden, pool and a sunset view. On the ground floor, you’ll find the second bedroom, which can open up entirely onto the sundeck to allow in the breeze and let you enjoy your beautiful surroundings.
The kitchen is fully equipped and the staff on hand can shop for you for everything you need to make food yourself.
A drinking water dispenser is provided which helps ensure you do not buy plastic bottles of water and helps reduce the plastic consumption on the island.
The large terrace and sundeck areas include comfortable chairs and beanbags for chill-out moments in your private villa along with your private pool and tropical garden.
If requested, a single bed can be placed in the master bedroom to accommodate one additional child or adult.
4. Akasia Villa
- Bedrooms – 1
- Sleeps – 2pax
- Location – Middle of Island
- Price – $$
Akasia Villas is a small resort of private villas located in Gili Air island with 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom villas all with private swimming pools and all the comfort that you need for your stay in Gili Air.
This 1 bedroom Gili Air villa has 1 semi-open bathroom, a private swimming pool, kitchen, outdoor living area and sunbeds on the deck.
It also comes with Air/Con, Fan, Mini-bar, TV Satellite and all equipment included in the kitchenette and is located in a quiet part of Gili Air but very close to the attractions of the island, it takes just 150 m walk to relax on the beautiful white sand beaches and just 10 minutes by bike to reach the island centre. The villa is also well located to enjoy the sunrise and sunset.
5. Apalagi Villa
- Bedrooms – 3
- Sleeps – 6pax
- Location – Middle of Island
- Price – $$$$
Apalagi villa is part of a set of villas in Gili Air created from passion and designed to be structural masterpieces. This spacious villa offers 3 bedrooms with a large private swimming pool, sunbeds and a tropical garden giving you a truly tropical holiday feel!
The villas are located only a few minutes walk to a spectacular white sand beach which is a safe snorkeling location and has beach cafes and bars. The villas are surrounded by coconut trees so you feel that you are in a tropical paradise!
6. Kempas Villa
- Bedrooms – 2
- Sleeps – 4pax
- Location – South of Island near Harbour
- Price – $$$
This Gili Air Villa is one of a kind in Gili air situated 150m from the beach. The interior and exterior design of the villa combines traditional local elements with modern aspects. It’s a perfect place for a romantic getaway, your family vacation or a trip with your friends and offers you all the luxuries of modern amenities.
Kempas Villa’s 2 bedroom villa has a natural stone swimming pool, a refreshing outdoor shower in the tropical garden and comfortable day beds.
Kempas Villa is located in the heart of Gili Air just a 5-minute walk to the harbour, town centre and only 150 m from the beach, yet it is nestled in a more private area away from the hustle and bustle of the main road.
This 2 bedroom Gili Islands Villa also comes with a fully equipped kitchen, AC and a hot shower.
7. Anahata Villa
- Bedrooms – 1
- Sleeps – 2pax
- Location – North of Island
- Price – $$
Anahata Villas consists of 3 tropical 1 bedroom private villas, each with a private swimming pool. The villas are built like traditional Lombok houses and are a mixture of traditional tropical construction and modern comfort, to give guests a maximum feeling of vacation, tropics and privacy.
If desired, two of the villas can be directly connected to each other through a door in the garden if there are 3 or 4 guests wishing to stay together.
8. Villa Maiya
- Bedrooms – 1
- Sleeps – 2pax
- Location – Middle of Island
- Price – $$
Villa Maiya is a stunning and spacious 1 bedroom private villa in Gili Air and comes with your own private swimming pool and kitchen. This villa is the perfect mix of island living and modern luxury and encapsulates our little slice of heaven on Gili Air.
The spacious master bedroom has it’s own ensuite, a/c, living space, cable TV, sofa bed, desk, cupboards. The villa is situated 5 minutes walk from the best snorkelling beach on the island, restaurants and dive shops.
9. La Villa Turkuaz
- Bedrooms – 2
- Sleeps – 9pax
- Location – Middle of Island
- Price – $$$
Nestled in a lush and exceptionally large garden La Villa Turkuaz can sleep up to 9 people and is one of the biggest Villas in Gili Air.
The villa offers on 2 levels, 3 air-conditioned bedrooms each offering a King Size bed, a desk, a private bathroom with hot water and a private balcony with direct access from large open view windows. Upstairs, you will also find a terrace overlooking the garden and pool, where you can practice meditation or yoga head in the treetops or enjoy the last lights of the sunset around a drink!
On the ground floor, there is a fully equipped kitchen with a gas stove/oven, a toaster, a juicer, a chilled water fountain.
The common living space in the living room consists of a large corner sofa with 2 real individual mattresses usable for possible 8th and 9th person.
The pool has a special feature with an immersed table and benches and outside in the garden is a Gazebo, hammocks and bean bags.
10. Yin Yang Villa
- Bedrooms – 1
- Sleeps – 2pax
- Location – Middle of Island
- Price – $
Yin Yang Villa in Gili Air is a 1 bedrooms villa with private swimming pool, luxurious bedroom and bathrooms. The concept is Japanese style meets Indonesian Island Tropical style. This 1 bedroom Gili Air Villa is suitable for a honeymoon couple or small group of family/friends who search for privacy and relaxation in the Island for a great price.
This Villa in Gili Air is close to the harbour and around a 10 minute walk to find restaurants family-friendly activities, and a 5 – 8-minute walk to the beach.
11. Amazing Cozy & Colorful Villa
- Bedrooms – 2
- Sleeps – 4pax
- Location – North of Island
- Price – $
Gili Air’s most colourful villa is a unique place to stay in Gili Air. It offers 2 air-conditioned bedrooms, a large cosy lounge which opens onto the garden and a private swimming pool.
Along with this there us a mezzanine dedicated to yoga so if you are a yogi and looking for a place to meditate and refocus in peace, this is it!
This colourful Gili Air Villa is located just 100 meters from the beach so it is in a perfect location in Gili Air.
12. Villa Nangka
- Bedrooms – 2
- Sleeps – 4pax
- Location – Middle of Island
- Price – $$
Villa Nangka is a unique hidden gem in the heart of Gili Air. This stunning brand new, 2-level bamboo home is the perfect option in Gili Air to stay with your family or your friends in a private space.
The villa has 2 uniquely decorated bedrooms with super king-sized beds. Between the bedrooms is a connecting door for families and both bedrooms have their own ensuite tropical bathroom. The bathrooms are semi-open and give you the opportunity to watch the stars while you have a shower in the evening.
The Villa is located in the back of a tropical garden and has a huge terrace overlooking the 11-metre swimming pool.
3 different villas are on offer at Villa Nangka. Since Villa Nangka opened they have been awarded every year with a ‘Certificate of Excellence’ by Tripadvisor and received the Airbnb ‘Super Host’ badge 14 times in a row!
13. Casa Koko
- Bedrooms – 1
- Sleeps – 2pax
- Location – South of Island near Harbour
- Price – $$
Casa Koko is a 1 bedroom boutique villa in Gili Air, featuring an en-suite bathroom, a relaxing lounge area and your very own private swimming pool!
Simple yet elegant, Casa Koko brings guests comfort and privacy in the heart of Gili Air with a lush garden full of light, creating a perfect oasis to relax.
All guests will enjoy free use of bikes to explore the island with, as well as snorkelling equipment. Other amenities include tea and coffee-making facilities, breakfast, towels and linen, daily cleaner, WiFi, mini bar, safety deposit box, fridge, free toiletries.
GETTING FROM BALI TO THE GILI ISLANDS
There is only one way to get from Bali to the Gili Islands and that’s my fast boat from Padang Bay.
You can wait until you arrive to book your boat or be organised and book it in advance here. Booking in advance is especially good during the summer and Christmas months!
BUY HERE: From Bali: 1-Way Boat Transfer to Gili Trawangan/Gili Air/Lombok
BUY HERE: From all Gili Islands: 1-Way Boat Transfer to Bali
14. Solitude Gili Air Vila
- Bedrooms – 1
- Sleeps – 2pax
- Location – North of Island
- Price – $
Solitude Gili Air Villa is a 1 bedroom Villa with a modern bedroom and chic private bathroom featuring an outside bath which is unique to this villa and not found in many other Gili Air Villas.
It has a large private living room which has been furnished with comfortable and modern furniture, all hand made in Bali, plus a eco private swimming pool and wooden terrace.
The lavish garden creates a peaceful atmosphere of Solitude where you can reach deep within yourself and allow your creativity to flourish. This Gili Air Villa is located just 5 minutes away from the beach in a quiet location surrounded by coconut trees.
15. 3 Angels Villa
- Bedrooms – 1
- Sleeps – 4pax
- Location – Middle of Island
- Price – $
Once a family home and homestay, after the earthquake, 3 Angels Villa was changed into a private villa in Gili Air with a private pool for a great price.
This 1 bedroom villa can accommodate up to 4 guests so it makes for a great family stay in Gili Air.
3 Angels Villa offers a good-sized pool, outside seating plus sunbeds and you will be welcomed by the family who used to live here.
16. Villa Saia
- Bedrooms – 1
- Sleeps – 3pax
- Location – Middle of Island
- Price – $$
Villa Saia offers 3 1bedroom villas in Gili Air which have been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 3 adult guests per villa in a private atmosphere.
This set of Gili Air Villas has taken the traditional Indonesian concept and given it a modern twist with elegant living spaces including air conditioning in the bedroom and a private pool surrounded by a tropical garden for your villa.
Please note that all of the Gili Islands are Islamic islands and therefore the mosques can be heard throughout the day and just before sunrise in the morning. The mosques can be heard throughout the island so it is likely that you will hear the mosques while staying in these properties but this adds to the charm and culture of the Gili Islands.
How to Get to Gili Air?
Now you know where to stay on Gili Air, here are your options for getting to Gili Air and the Gili islands.
Bali to Gili Air
The most popular route that people do is to land in Bali International Airport and then travel to Gili Air.
There is only one port and pier in Bali where the boat from Bali to Gili Islands runs and that’s from Padang Bai in the North.
You can book a minibus and boat package which will pick you up from your Bali Hotel, take you to Padang Bai and then will take you to your boat over to the Gili Islands.
The whole journey takes about 5 hours depending on where you’re staying in Bali and they leave two or 3 times a day.
There are different companies offering differently priced tickets, generally, the cheaper the ticket, the more squashed your minibus or car will be and the smaller the boat will be. I recommend the company Eka Jaya which costs more but is much comfier, you can book tickets with Eka Jaya on 12Go Asia here.
You will need to book tickets from Padang Bay pier on 12GO Asia and get a taxi from where you are in Bali in Padang Bay. Getting your own transport is much easier, quicker and comfier than getting a shared transfer.
Lombok to Gili Air
Gili Air is much closer to the island of Lombok than it is Bali so it is quicker and easier to get to Gili Air from Lombok than Bali.
If you want to go straight to Gili Air I recommend looking at flights into Lombok Praya Airport, from here you can travel from Lombok Airport to Bangsal Harbour in 90 minutes and get the boat from Bangsal to Gili Air in just 15 minutes.
Not only is Lombok Airport closer to the pier than Bali Airport but there are more regular boats from Lombok to Gili Air than Bali to Gili Air, they take less time and if you miss a public boat you can hire a private boat from Lombok to Gili Islands.
Nusa Lembongan to Gili Air
Finally, if you are already travelling around the small Indonesian islands, there is a boat from Nusa Lembongan to Gili Air which cuts out all of the bus transfers!
Still working out your Indonesia itinerary. Look at buses and boats online on 12Go Asia here. I recommend booking with Eka Jaya which you can book on 12GO Asia:
- More of my must-read Gili Island posts to help plan your trip!
- My Complete Guide to all 3 Gili Islands!
- How to get around the Gili Islands by Fast Boat & Slow Boat!
- Things to do in Gili Trawangan!
- The Perfect 3 Day Gili Island itinerary!