A 15-minute carriage ride from the port and the crowd gets thinner. We pass a palm grove and some lazy beach bars. One of them plays reggae (popular music on Gili), the other opts for some gentler Nirvana songs. On our left there is water all along, but on the right you can see the hotels are getting more and more luxurious.

At last we reach Ombak Sunset – what strikes us first is that there are 2 separate restaurants on the beach. On our right, 2 hotel buildings stand in a large, well-kept area. On the way to the reception door, we can also see a swimming pool of considerable size, which blends in nicely with the greenery. Its own bar turns out to be very convenient during hot days. Several hours later we enjoy a quick swim, then sit at the stools in the water and wait for the real hit – a fresh, young coconut! The other guests, however, seem to prefer colourful cocktails to refreshing coconut milk.

But first things first. As we enter the reception, we hear a gong – it always signals the arrival of new guests. We are greeted with a sweet cocktail and a towel, but what really catches our attention is the interior of the room. Its spacious lobby is furnished with sofas, armchairs, stools, beds and lockers – all of these are made of dark wood and beautifully ornamented.

In no time we leave our luggage in the room and head for the beach with its comfy loungers, colourful pillows, delicate sand and warm seawater. Around noon, however, the crowd thickens. Loud music, happy hour (2 drinks for about 7 dollars) and the above-mention swing attract tourists from all over the island.

In no time we leave our luggage in the room and head for the beach with its comfy loungers, colourful pillows, delicate sand and warm seawater. Around noon, however, the crowd thickens. Loud music, happy hour (2 drinks for about 7 dollars) and the above-mention swing attract tourists from all over the island.

Ombak Sunset is located on the western, quieter side of the island, where the beach isn’t so packed (except in the evenings). The hotel offers many types of accommodation: from standard rooms, through de-lux terraced apartments, ending with detached villas.

Getting to the centre of entertainment doesn’t pose any problems – the hotel provides the possibility of renting a bike or ordering a carriage. There is around a quarter of an hour between our place and the party zone, and although Gili Trawangan is considered to be the so-called party island, we prefer our peaceful outskirts.

Ombak Sunset is also a great showcase of Indonesian cuisine. Breakfasts are served at the Horizon restaurant – Asian soups, fried pasta, toasts, jams, a wide range vegetables and fruit. For lunch and supper, however, we want to try some local food: we heartily recommend the Indonesian set consisting of 11 dishes. Rice, of course, is the main ingredient, but it doesn’t mean lack of diversity. And so we have: spicy vegetables with chicken soup, beef satay, mini chicken marinated in coconut oil and peanuts, rice flour chips or fried calamari. These are only a few examples of the rich Indonesian cuisine.

The restaurants provide a feast not only for the palate, but also for the eyes: ornaments on the pillars and the ceiling were made by the craftsmen from Jaffa. We were truly astonished by the precision and diversity of those hand-made decorations. It’s really worth it to stop and take a closer look.

How to spend your free time on the island? You can take a rest, swim or play chess (there is a big chessboard at the pool). You can also give spa a try, with its wide range of massages, including the famous Balian massage.

Another attraction might be public film screenings on the beach. Pleasant breeze, comfy lounger, Hollywood hit and a delicious drink in your hand – sounds like a good way to spend the evening!

Newly wed will also love it here. Romantic dinner on the beach, massages, photo by the swing and marvellous views – such attractions are bound to make any honeymoon even more magical.

What we liked:

– large swimming pool

– bar at the pool

– numerous carvings, statues and other – mainly wooden – items

– swing in the water

– film screenings

– ornamented wood

– peace and quiet