Bali-Lombok-Gili
Sep 21st, 2011, 09:31 PM
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Bali-Lombok-Gili
Ok friends, looking for some help here. We are planning about 2 weeks in the Bali/Lombok area. Trying to come up with a good division of our time - how long in each place? I am hoping for some candid and recent news on Gili Islands and Lombok. What are the draws in Lombok? I think I have a good handle on why people are going to Gili and what it's all about, but Lombok seems a bit more unclear. Our current thinking is:
Lombok - 3 nights (Qunci Villas seems to be the obvious choice?)
Gili - 5 nights (is this too long/long enough?)
Bali - 5 nights (Ubud and... Where else? Seminyak?)
Seems to only be older posts regarding Lombok and Gili... Has anyone been lately? Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!
Lombok - 3 nights (Qunci Villas seems to be the obvious choice?)
Gili - 5 nights (is this too long/long enough?)
Bali - 5 nights (Ubud and... Where else? Seminyak?)
Seems to only be older posts regarding Lombok and Gili... Has anyone been lately? Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!
Sep 22nd, 2011, 06:44 AM
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Lombok is quiet and sleepy with some very nice beaches. Culturally, it is entirely different from Bali. There are villages inland you can visit where life goes on as it has for centuries.
We were the first Fodorites to stay at Qunci Villas back in 2004, and everyone we've sent there since has loved it.
The people I know who have been to Gili have found 2 or 3 days to be plenty. On the other hand, you'll never run out of thisngs to do and see on Bali.
If it were me (and it isn't) I'd shift a couple of days from Gili to Bali.
We were the first Fodorites to stay at Qunci Villas back in 2004, and everyone we've sent there since has loved it.
The people I know who have been to Gili have found 2 or 3 days to be plenty. On the other hand, you'll never run out of thisngs to do and see on Bali.
If it were me (and it isn't) I'd shift a couple of days from Gili to Bali.
Sep 22nd, 2011, 05:07 PM
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Based on what I've been hearing, I would say less time in the Gilis also. Gili Trawangan is over-run with gap-year kids. Really not my idea of fun at all. Gili Air is the more 'grown up' place to be, but it's a lot less developed.
I would spend more time on Bali, perhaps on the quieter northern side, like Pemuteran or Amed, then move to Ubud.
I would spend more time on Bali, perhaps on the quieter northern side, like Pemuteran or Amed, then move to Ubud.
Sep 22nd, 2011, 07:21 PM
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I haven't been to Lombok or The Gilis for some time, but for different reasons.
I like the beach in Lombok and had several pleasant stays at the Oberoi. I've not visited Qunci, but have only heard good reports. The Lombok Lodge is a new property that is similarly well reviewed.
The difference between Lombok and Bali is the choice of activities when you're not at the beach or pool. In South Bali you have the restaurants and shops. In Ubud you have culture and nature. Lombok is a bit thin on all of these features. For relaxation, lovely lowkey resorts, staring out to sea it's excellent, but it's not really a culture, nature, foodie, shopping destination.
The only Gili I visited was Trawangan and that was over 10 years ago. It was depressed and depressing and I didn't go back. I understand that there has been some positive development in the area so it may be time for another look; however, I'd choose carefully and probe reviews for current information.
The key question I'd ask is what could you find in the Gilis that you couldn't get in Bali or Lombok? If you're looking for a white sand, clear water deserted beach you may be in the wrong country.
I like Bali -- both the Southern beaches and the Ubud area. Of course your budget is a determining factor, but my split would be 3 or 4 nights Lombok, 4 nights Ubud area and 3 or 4 nights in the Southern Beach area. I prefer Seminyak, but there are nice options in all the beach neighborhoods.
I like the beach in Lombok and had several pleasant stays at the Oberoi. I've not visited Qunci, but have only heard good reports. The Lombok Lodge is a new property that is similarly well reviewed.
The difference between Lombok and Bali is the choice of activities when you're not at the beach or pool. In South Bali you have the restaurants and shops. In Ubud you have culture and nature. Lombok is a bit thin on all of these features. For relaxation, lovely lowkey resorts, staring out to sea it's excellent, but it's not really a culture, nature, foodie, shopping destination.
The only Gili I visited was Trawangan and that was over 10 years ago. It was depressed and depressing and I didn't go back. I understand that there has been some positive development in the area so it may be time for another look; however, I'd choose carefully and probe reviews for current information.
The key question I'd ask is what could you find in the Gilis that you couldn't get in Bali or Lombok? If you're looking for a white sand, clear water deserted beach you may be in the wrong country.
I like Bali -- both the Southern beaches and the Ubud area. Of course your budget is a determining factor, but my split would be 3 or 4 nights Lombok, 4 nights Ubud area and 3 or 4 nights in the Southern Beach area. I prefer Seminyak, but there are nice options in all the beach neighborhoods.
