Where to stay in Nusa Penida and Gili Trawangan, Bali
On the islands, location matters more than the prettiest hotel. Which area to pick in Nusa Penida and Gili Trawangan, with real places.
On Bali's islands, location matters more than the prettiest hotel. Prices are approximate per room per night for two people.
Nusa Penida: nature and cliffs
Toyapakeh or Ped make boat arrival and departure easier, and Crystal Bay is calmer and perfect for nature and snorkeling.
Low cost (€20-50): Namaste Bungalows and Saka Boutique Hotel.
Standard (€50-100): Semabu Hills Hotel, with a pool, views and a practical location near Toyapakeh, from about €75.
Boutique (€100-180): Adiwana Warnakali, a small resort with sea views geared toward diving and highly recommended for couples.
Premium (€180+): the superior villas and suites at Adiwana Warnakali, Penida Bambu Green and Maua Nusa Penida. Look for ocean views and a private pool, but don't pay €300 just for "five stars" if the location is poor.
Gili Trawangan: island, beach and sunset
Near the harbor there are more restaurants, bars and nightlife; the west of the island is much calmer and perfect for sunset. For this trip we'd choose the west or an area far enough from the harbor.
Low cost (€20-50): Gili Divers Hotel and Gili Beach Bum Hotel.
Standard (€50-100): Gili Teak Boutique Resort.
Boutique (€80-150): PinkCoco Gili T, colorful, fun and very recognizable, in the sunset area.
Villa or premium (€150-300+): Pondok Santi Estate, with villas and tropical gardens and an exclusive feel minutes on foot from the bars, and Cocana Resort.
Book the fast boat in advance and leave margin between connections. There's more in fast boats in Bali.
Our favorites
Nusa Penida: Adiwana Warnakali. Gili T: PinkCoco for the atmosphere or Pondok Santi for luxury. You'll find the route in our 14-day Bali itinerary, and what to see in what to see in Nusa Penida.
Our favorite activities in Bali
This section contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
More guides to Bali
How many days do you need in Bali? Why we chose 14
Bali has enough to fill much more than two weeks, but not everyone has a free month. Here's how we decided 14 days was what let us combine Ubud, the islands and Uluwatu without turning the trip into a race.
The 5 excursions you can't miss in Ubud
Ubud packs in some of Bali's most special landscapes and temples. If we had to pick just five stops, these would be them.
How much does a Bali trip cost? Real budget
Bali can be a very budget-friendly destination or turn into a fairly premium trip. Here's how the real 14-day budget breaks down by travel style.