Aston Sunset Beach Resort

Set on garden-filled beachfront grounds, this resort offers a relaxing getaway on the quieter coast of Gili Trawangan Island. Paths meander past lawns studded with palms, trees, flowering bushes, and all sorts of lush greenery which is harmoniously paired with Balinese-style architecture. Guests are greeted in a rotund lobby, where sleek white seating topped with colorful pillows lines the periphery. Other spaces, like the hotel's beachfront restaurant and bar, marry traditional thatched-roof pavilions with simple wooden furniture. Seating spills outside right on to the sand, and there's an attractive sundeck lined with padded loungers and day beds that makes a prime spot for taking in the beautiful sunsets. Overall, it's a solid choice for those seeking a beachside vacation, and it attracts a mix of couples and families with kids.

This hotel is located on the western side of Gili Trawangan, the biggest and busiest of the three islands just off of the coast of Lombok. The west coast is quieter than the busier eastern side, where guests will find many more hotels, restaurants, bars, and the ferry port (about a 20-minute horse carriage ride away). The hotel is right on the beach, and there are a couple of other neighboring resorts and guest houses, as well as a handful of dining options and a supermarket.

To reach the island, guests can take a speedboat from Bali’s Serangan Harbor (about two-and-a-half hours), Padang Bai Harbor (about one hour away), or mainland Lombok (about 20 minutes). Lombok International Airport is about an hour-and-a-half drive from the Teluk Kode ferry port.

Rooms are clean and pleasant, featuring a simple style of wooden furniture (either sleek and modern, or more traditional styles) paired with white walls and tile floors. Framed paintings on the walls add a pop of color to the the neutral hues, as do colorful bed runners (Club Rooms have bright yellow bedspreads), but save for these accents, the spaces are spare and fairly minimal. All rooms have work desks, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, minibars, electric kettles, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Sleek, large bathrooms have walk-in or wet room-style rainfall showers, double sinks, and wall-mounted hairdryers, plus toiletries and slippers are provided. All rooms have private furnished terraces or patios. One-Bedroom Villas have private pools surrounded by pleasant outdoor space and furnished decks.

The hotel has an attractive freeform outdoor pool surrounded by a wooden sundeck lined with loungers. Palm trees and lush greenery surround the space -- although this also means there are a lot of shady areas around the pool. Guests also have direct access to the beach, with loungers and comfortable seating lining a wooden sundeck facing the shore. This is also the site of the hotel's restaurant and bar, with seating spilling out from the partially open-air space right on to the sand. It serves Asian and western fare for breakfast (for a fee), lunch, and dinner.

Other amenities include a small spa offering a variety of treatments, as well as a lovely Club Lounge with free snacks and drinks for guests staying in Club-level rooms. Free bike rentals are available, a convenience for getting around the island.