If you are looking for affordable Gili Air accommodation in a convenient beachfront location, Turtle Beach Hotel remains a good option. This small hotel is on the eastern side of the island, with traditional-style cottages, tropical gardens, a pool and a restaurant beside the beach.
Updated 11 November 2026.
Location and getting there
From the Gili Air ferry terminal, Turtle Beach Hotel is around a 12-minute walk along the island’s eastern side. Paths are a mix of compacted and loose sand, so a backpack or light luggage is easier than a heavy suitcase. If needed, you can arrange a horse-drawn cidomo cart, although fares and animal-welfare standards vary.
Gili Air is largely motor-vehicle free. Visitors normally get around on foot, by bicycle or by cidomo. The hotel restaurant is on the beach side of the coastal path, with the accommodation and pool behind it. There are numerous restaurants, cafes, dive operators and small shops within walking distance.
Hotel Grounds
Turtle Beach Hotel is a compact property set among tropical gardens. The traditional-style cottages are arranged around the pool, and the official hotel description continues to highlight pool and garden views, private terraces and easy access to the beachfront.
Rooms and prices
The hotel currently advertises Bungalows, Double Suites and Single Rooms. Room names and occupancy can differ between booking channels, so enter the correct number and ages of guests before choosing a room.
The individual cottages were gorgeous during our stay, with a spacious terrace, a main bed downstairs, a loft reached by a ladder and a semi-open bathroom. The hotel still advertises this traditional cottage design, along with air conditioning, television, safe, mini fridge and complimentary water. Because a laddered loft will not suit every child or traveller, check the exact layout and current maximum occupancy before booking. Old room prices are no longer a reliable guide.
The larger rooms we saw had a wide veranda and day bed facing the pool, two large beds and a very spacious bathroom. The hotel now advertises Double Suites, but bedding, interconnecting options and maximum occupancy should be confirmed for your dates rather than relying on the old room configuration from our visit.
Current room listings include air conditioning, private bathrooms and garden or pool views, while the hotel’s own site also lists televisions, safes and mini fridges in its cottages. Check the individual room listing for the facilities included in your chosen category.
Rooms can be booked through Agoda or directly with Turtle Beach Hotel. Compare the total price, breakfast inclusion, cancellation terms and room occupancy on the same basis.
Click here for more information on things to do on Gili Air and more Gili Air accommodation
Turtle Beach Hotel Restaurant
The Turtle Beach Gili Air hotel’s restaurant looks out over the beautiful crystal blue waters of the Indian ocean and has fantastic views of Lombok’s mountainous coast line. On the water’s edge are bamboo lounges with small tables where you can laze about or a bit further back in the restaurant are tables and chairs.
The restaurant serves Indonesian and Western-style food beside the water. We found it good value during our stay, but menus and prices change, so check the current menu rather than relying on the old meal prices.
In the mornings the view is breathtaking as this is the side of the island where the sun rises. Most mornings we enjoyed our breakfast whilst watching fisherman cast their long nets. The breakfast was also good, with guests choosing from bacon and eggs, cereals or pancakes. Fruit juice, coffee and tea as well as fresh fruits are also included with breakfast.
In the restaurant in the evening, you can hear the waves lapping at the foot of your table and see the lights of Lombok in the distance. The restaurant is lit by colourful lanterns and you will also see the silhouette of the fisherman boats.
The restaurant also served a variety of drinks and cocktails during our stay. We enjoyed taking a drink back to the pool in the late afternoon after exploring the island. Check the current menu for prices and service arrangements.
Swimming Pool
The hotel still has an outdoor pool surrounded by sun loungers and cottages. One of my favourite things during our stay was relaxing beside it while I wrote this article. The pool had different depths and steps at the shallow end, but families should supervise children closely and confirm the current layout on arrival.
Activities
The hotel promotes snorkelling, diving, swimming, cycling and island activities. Confirm current hire arrangements and tour operators at reception. Gili Air’s paths include sandy and uneven sections, so inspect a bicycle’s brakes, tyres and lights before setting off. For boat or snorkelling trips, use a reputable operator, check weather and sea conditions, and make sure suitable life jackets are available for adults and children.
Service
The service at Turtle Beach Hotel was fantastic! All the staff are super friendly and very attentive. Every time you walk past someone they always smile and ask how you are. They even knew all the guests names including the varying kids staying there.
Verdict
If you are looking for simple, good-value Gili Air accommodation near the beach, Turtle Beach Hotel remains worth considering. Its strengths are the eastern beachfront location, compact tropical setting, pool and character-filled cottages.
Our stay here was fantastic. We were comfortable in our room and enjoyed having the pool at the centre of the property. Families should pay particular attention to the current bedding and maximum occupancy, especially if considering a cottage with a laddered loft.
Click here if you want to book your own stay at the Turtle Beach Hotel.
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