Literally, one of the most fun and beautiful places in Indonesia, the Gili Islands also have a reputation for being a place where backpackers can kick back, chill, party, snorkel and dive all in the same place. And with two main islands to choose from – Gili Air and Gili T – it’s like the world is your oyster!
But… in August 2018 there were a series of earthquakes in Lombok that affected the Gili Islands, slightly to the north-west. So you might be wondering: Is it safe to go? Are the hostels closed?
Well, it’s ok! Most hostels on the islands are open for business. And what’s more, we’ve gone through and categorised the best hostels on Gili Air and Gili T to make things a lot easier for you!
We reckon there’ll be a hostel here to suit you, so let’s have a look…
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Gili Islands
- Best Overall Hostel in Gili Islands – Compass Divers Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Gili Islands –My Mate’s Place
- Best Cheap Hostel in Gili Islands – Begadang
- Best Hostel for Couples in Gili Islands – Captain Coconuts Gili Air
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Gili Islands – M BOX
Photo: @monteiro.online
Best Hostels in Gili Islands
If you are backpacking Indonesia or Bali, then the Gili Islands is a truly worthy addition to your itinerary.
Best Overall Hostel in Gili Islands – Compass Divers Hostel
- $$
- Swimming Pool
- Free Breakfast
- Air Con
Sure, this boutique-style recommended hostel in Gili Islands might cater to people who wanna go diving, but that doesn’t stop it being a great hostel in itself. In fact, we’d say it’s not only the best overall hostel in Gili T but the best hostel in Gili Islands, too.
This is down to the decent free breakfast, the very chill chill-out areas on the 1st floor and out front, the super nice and helpful staff, as well as the location, which is just about close enough to the harbour area with its clubs and bars. Definitely a solid, solid option; even better if you’re keen on diving!
Best Party Hostel in Gili Islands – My Mate’s Place
- $
- Bar
- Free Breakfast
- Airport Transfers
Well, it’s in the name, isn’t it? This top hostel in the Gili Islands has a top-notch atmosphere that gets everyone involved and talking to each other, which is (sorta) the reason you’re travelling the world, right? It’s also a little bit of a party hostel – if you wanna get involved, that is.
Once the bar closes, the staff take you to the best places in town. Of course, if you don’t want to go, you don’t go. Simple. Overall though, it’s the staff who really know how to make sure everyone feels welcome. Sick place, easily the best party hostel in Gili T.
Best Hostel Cheap Hostel in Gili Islands – Begadang
- $
- Swimming Pool
- Bar & Restaurant
- Luggage Storage
This is a very cool hostel in Gili Air and it feels a lot more expensive than it is. I mean (and this is amazing), they have a mushroom-shaped pool – allegedly, they say, the first in the world. It’s surrounded by decking and a garden where you can play giant connect 4 and fun stuff like that.
Other than that though, it’s a 15 min walk from the noisy-ish harbour area. It’s great if you’re looking for good hostels in Lombok as it’s so close. Plus, it’s only 200 metres to Gili Air’s Sunset Beach where you can have a drink (or three) and some decent food, too.
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Hostel for Couples in Gili Islands – Captain Coconuts Gili Air
- $$
- Hot Water
- Swimming Pool
- Free Breakfast
Though the name sounds more like a party hostel, Captain Coconuts (lol) is actually a super – and we mean SUPER – chill place to stay in Gili Islands. Set a few mins walk from Gili Air harbour, the order of the day is lounging around and relaxing.
That’s why we’ve picked it as the best hostel for couples in Gili Islands. With the nicely done bamboo bungalows, pool and top quality food in its restaurant, you’ll feel like you’re on a properly exclusive couples’ getaway when really it’s a top hostel in Gili Air.
Best Hostel with a Private Room in Gili Islands – M BOX
- $$
- Bar & Restaurant
- Bicycle Hire
- Swimming Pool
Run by the same folk who do amazing things at the nearby M Gili, M BOX is a bit more lively – a great vibe to meet people but also enough of a chilled place that you can actually get to sleep at night. Coupled with the unreal private rooms, it’s easily the best hostel with a private room in Gili Islands.
What’s also cool about this Gili T backpackers hostel is the amazing staff – plus the opportunity to go on a pretty sick (and affordable) snorkelling trip, which is kinda what this place is all about. But yeah, those rooms… Such a cool Gili Islands hostel, seriously.
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Gili Islands – La Favela
- $$
- Super Social
- Towels Included
- Bar
Speaking of staff making you feel right at home, how about this place – though we’re not sure whether it’s ok to be calling this La Favela, it’s still easily the best hostel for solo travellers. And, yep, the staff are the best thing about this lovely little place.
So it’s simple to get chatting and make friends with all the other backpackers checking into this Gili T backpackers hostel. Other great points include amazingly clean rooms and being just a 10 min walk to the beach.
La Favela is one of our favourites in Gili Islands but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Gili Islands – M Gili
- $$
- Super Cool
- Air Con
- Swimming Pool
This top hostel in Gili Islands also runs one in Seminyak, Bali, so the style easily makes it one of the coolest hostels in Gili T, that’s for sure. The rooms are super stylish, making you feel like you’re staying in a hotel.
The atmosphere might be a bit lacking, but then again you could just say that it’s quiet. Depends what you’re looking for. But we reckon it’s the best hostel for digital nomads in Gili Islands. If you’re on the road long-term, a calm, hotel-y sorta stay (like this one) would be perfect for you.
M Gili is one of our favourites in Gili Islands but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Gili Islands
Gili La Boheme
- $
- Late Check-out
- Free Breakfast
- Tours/Travel Desk
This budget hostel in Gili T is a fun place to stay – it’s awesome if you wanna socialise and meet new people. At the same time, it’s got a pretty chilled vibe, and that’s despite being only 5 mins away from the main hive of activity on Gili T.
Facilities at this recommended hostel in Gili Islands may by a little basic, sure, but they definitely do the job: think air con that works and you’re off to a pretty good start. The floors are sandy and the bathrooms suck a bit, but what are you gonna do? This is paradise! For cheap!
Fantastic Bamboo Hut
- $
- Free Bicycle Rental
- Free Breakfast
- Air Con
Well, they said it. It’s simply a fantastic bamboo hut. Or a collection of fantastic bamboo huts. Either way, it’s easily one of the coolest hostels in the Gili islands. It’s a pretty fun and surprisingly comfy experience!
What also makes Gili Air backpackers hostel so nice is – as always – the staff. They’re just… Ultra friendly, I think is the right way to describe them. And helpful too. An extra cool point is that you can borrow the bikes for free and cycle around the island. Amazing!
Broken Compass
- $
- Nightly Events
- Swimming Pool
- Ping Pong Table
Want a chilled hostel with an amazing friendly vibe? Broken Compass is a decent choice. One of the top hostels in Gili T, this place may be located near a mosque (meaning a quite loud call to prayer throughout the day), but that’s fine when everything else is SO GOOD.
The burgers, I mean, they’re super tasty. There’s even an infamous event that they run here called Beats n Burgers – plus other activities (nightly, BTW) like pub quizzes. The rooms are clean, the pool area is so good for chilling out in… definitely one of the coolest hostels in Gili Islands.
What to Pack for your Gili Islands Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Gili Islands
There you have it. The top hostels in Gili Air and the best hostels in Gili T to get you super excited for your next trip!
Sure, there may be a reputation for partying in the Gili Islands (and you can definitely find that), but when it comes to a blissed-out atmosphere and some seriously friendly people, these are the islands you need to get yourself to!
There’s everything from super comfy bamboo huts to Bali-esque villa accommodation, and all of it so affordable.
But if you still can’t decide? Just go for the best overall hostel in Gili Islands, Compass Divers Hostel, get packing…
Photo: @monteiro.online
FAQ about Hostels in Gili Islands
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Gili Islands.
Travel Safety Tips for Gili Islands
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SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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More Epic Hostels in Indonesia and Southeast Asia
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Gili Islands.
Planning an epic trip all across Indonesia or even Southeast Asia itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Southeast Asia, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Gili Islands has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
Photo: @monteiro.online
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
