Ah man, if you’re backpacking through Indonesia, you’ve no doubt heard of the infamous Gili Islands. Nestled between Bali and Lombok, the islands of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air are a backpacker’s DREAM. The water is clear, the turtles rife, beer is cheap(er than Bali!) and the vibes are goooood.
What really sets these islands apart is their unpretentious charm. No cars here – just you, a bicycle, and the freedom to pedal around at your own pace. The polar opposite of its bigger sibling Bali and its GTA style laws of the road… Days here are spent pedalling about on a bicycle, renting snorkels on the cheap and a nightlife that quite frankly puts Bali to shame. If you’re over the gentrified, Instagram-perfect scene in Bali, you’ll love the authentic, no-fuss vibes that make these islands so magical.
But hey, with islands this tiny and so many travellers flocking in, finding the right hostel can be a bit of a mission.
Don’t worry – that’s where I come in. As a seasoned Indonesia backpacker and long time Gili T lover, I’ve done the homework looking for the best and scouring through the worst to give you my ultimate guide to the best hostels in Gili Islands.
Whether you are trying to party hard, unwind in style, sleep cheap, or find a comfy spot to call your office, this list will sort you out.
So grab your gear and a Bintang for the road and let’s get this hostel hunt started!
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Need the short version? Start with these Gili hostels
Where to stay, hostel by hostel
Here it is – the crème de la crème of Gili Island hostels, neatly split into travel niches just for you. Picking a place has never been easier, so you can get out exploring the island ASAP.
1. My Mate’s Place: Best Overall Hostel
- Price tier: $
- Best for: Party-focused travellers, social backpackers, digital nomads
- Highlights: Largest hostel and pool on Gili T, free breakfast, own party boat
- Dorms from: $8
- Private rooms from: $40
- Location: Jl. Ikan Dugong, Gili Trawangan
My Mate’s Place is a flashpacker’s paradise. It’s the largest hostel on the island, has the biggest hostel pool and is the only hostel on the island with its on daily boat tour AND nightclub. This place is pretty damn impressive. No matter if you’re touching down solo or with the gang, this place is guaranteed to be a rager. It’s super social and just oooooozes that holiday vibe, making it the perfect escape if you’ve done one too many dodgy hostels backpacking Indonesia. Everything you need is right on-site – an outdoor swimming pool, on-site restaurant, bar, and more.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- On-Site Nightclub
- Lively Atmosphere
- Great Reps and Staff
The staff are incredibly friendly and always willing to help. The reps are what make My Mate’s Place so special though, truly the stuff of legends. They set up daily events like pizza nights which are, of course, always popular. Everyone drinks and plays games together every night and heads out on the town by 10pm which is great if you want a full night’s kip too.
2. M Box Gili Trawangan: Best for Solo Travellers
- Price tier: $
- Best for: Solo travellers, party-focused backpackers
- Highlights: Free family dinner nightly, free pizza twice a week, pool with bean bags
- Dorms from: $11
- Private rooms from: $35
- Location: Jl. Ikan Pelatuk, Gili Trawangan
Ah man. M Box Gili Trawangan is a riot. It’s famously one of those Gili Trawangan hostels where people check into and seemingly just stay forever… This hostel was recommended to me by a friend I met travelling who extended her stay by over two weeks. So, of course, I had to go see what all the hype was about.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Daily Events Held
- Boat and Snorkelling Tours
- Big Family Vibes
M Box Gili Trawangan nails that perfect balance – chill vibes during the day with daily snorkel tours which is one of the best things to do on the island. They host killer social events in the evening, and when you’re ready to turn up, the party’s right there waiting for you. If you’re a solo traveller, you’ll have zero trouble making friends here. And since most backpackers get hooked on the island’s charm and stick around, you’ll actually make travel buddies that last longer than a quick hello and goodbye.
The rooms are super comfy, with male and female dorms only that give off total sleepover vibes. The bathrooms are spotless and cleaned throughout the day, and the pool is a lifesaver when the heat kicks in. Their daily happy hours are a treat, and the nightly events get everyone in on the fun. Honestly, M Box is up there with one of my favourite hostels in Indonesia.
3. The Social – Begadang Gili Air: Best for Social Vibes
- Price tier: $
- Best for: Solo travellers, social backpackers, digital nomads
- Highlights: Free all-you-can-eat breakfast, access to beachfront sunset bar, snorkelling tours
- Dorms from: $12
- Private rooms from: $31
- Location: Sunset Boulevard, Gili Air
Do you want a social spot in island paradise without commiting to the late nights that are inevitable on Gili T? Well The Social does what it says on the tin – a space in Gili Air designed for making connections that go beyond just drinking pals. Every part of your day is thoroughly thought out here, from free brekky in the morning, the huge tropical garden that make socialising inevitable to the outdoor cinema nights.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Mushroom Pooooool!!!
- Super social
- Taco nights, family dinners, outdoor movie nights
Now for the pièce de résistance…a mushroom-shaped pool. Yep, they claim it’s the first of its kind in the world. It’s surrounded by a deck and a garden where you can play Giant Connect 4 or work on your tan. But what would a mushroom-shaped pool be without the right people to bring the right vibes? It’s a task that the volunteers execute flawlessly, setting up morning yoga, evening games and ensuring any stray backpacker isn’t solo for long. They’re the bread and butter of the hostel’s social foundations, and probably the reason why you’ll extend again (and again).
As for location, you’re just a 15-minute walk from the somewhat noisy Gili Air harbour area, which is perfect for getting to Gili Meno. Plus, you’re only 200 meters from Gili Air’s Sunset Beach, where you can grab a drink (or three) and some tasty food to wrap up your day.
4. Mad Monkey Gili Trawangan: Best Party Hostel
- Price tier: Budget
- Best for: Party-focused backpackers
- Highlights: Live DJ every night, foam parties twice a week, boat parties with free-flow BBQ
- Dorms from: $10
- Private rooms from: $31
- Location: Jalan Pantai, Gili Trawangan
Mad Monkey’s at it again, living up to its rep as the ultimate party hostel chain. Surprisingly, Mad Monkey Gili Trawangan is probably the chillest one yet. So, you get the best of both worlds: a place to party hard and a spot to kick back when you need a breather. This gem is tucked away on the quieter side of the island, giving you a real slice of remote paradise. It’s honestly one of the most beautiful spots in Indonesia. But don’t worry, the main strip is just a stroll or bike ride away, so you’re never too far from the action.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Great Reps
- Complimentary Welcome Drink
- Always social
And since it’s a bit off the beaten path, Mad Monkey Gili Trawangan makes sure you’ve got everything you need for a rager right at your doorstep. From daily events to epic happy hours, you might not even want to leave the hostel. Their weekly pool parties are the stuff of legend, drawing a crowd from all over the island – not just the guests. And if you need to cool off, you’ve got the outdoor pool or the ocean right out front. Bonus: it boasts the best sunsets on the island!
5. Tipsea Turtle Gili Air: Best for Beachside
- Price tier: $$
- Best for: Solo travellers, divers, backpackers after a chilled beachfront base
- Highlights: Direct beachfront access, free breakfast, free yoga six days a week, on-site dive shop, pool in tropical garden, snorkelling tours, family dinners, ping pong and trivia nights
- Dorms from: $14
- Private rooms from: $30
- Location: Jalan Pantai, Gili Air
Tipsea Turtle is the kind of hostel that makes you miss it before you’ve even left. It sits right on the beach, the pool and garden are beautiful, and the vibe sits in that sweet spot between social and relaxed. Not a party hostel, but you won’t be short of a good night out either. Free yoga runs six days a week, so there’s no excuse not to roll out of bed and make it happen. After that, the day is yours. The beach is literally on the doorstep, so grab a snorkel and start looking for turtles. Most people end up losing a few hours doing exactly that.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free yoga six days a week
- On-site dive shop
- Direct beachfront access
The pool and outside space are where everyone gravitates, helped along by a crew of volunteers who are good at getting people talking without making it feel forced. The dive shop at the front of the hostel means everything from a discover dive to a full PADI is sorted without leaving the property. If that doesn’t keep you busy, the happy hour cocktails and a roster of daily activities surely will.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Gili Islands
Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to the Gili Islands.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Gili Islands’ Hostels
The Gili Islands cover a lot of ground for three small islands. Gili T is the party hub, Gili Air is the chilled middle ground, and between them there’s a hostel for pretty much every travel style and budget.
If you’re still figuring out where the best hostel for you is, then I’d say go for M Box Gili Trawangan. This hostel is one of those where you roll in and seemingly make friends immediately. Big on the social vibes, great pool, great events and a LOT of fun nights out to Tequila Sunrise.
So, book that hostel before it’s too late – because the sooner you’ve got it locked in, the sooner you can get down to what really matters. Sipping Bintangs on the beach, snorkelling with turtles, and living that island life. What a dream, right?
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Indonesia for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the beautiful places to visit in Indonesia covered.
- Check out the best places to stay in Gili Air before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Southeast Asia backpacking guide.
Nice article!
There is also in Gili Meno an absolutely out of the box hostel called the rabbit tree
The place is so creative worth a look already for a visit. The team is so nice , inclusive and will give you a tour. Sincerely the most surprisind stay of my whole travel.
Great article! You definitely should mention Deep House Bungalows also on Gili Trawangan! Read their reviews on Hostelworld, Booking Com and TripAdvisor. Great place to meet people and an amazing staff. Keep up the good work!
Interesting! Will look into them 🙂