Danima Resort & Restaurant

Danima Resort & Restaurant has a lovely beachfront location on a property bursting with beautiful green trees and plants. While it calls itself a resort, it’s more like a boutique property with limited amenities. Opened in 2009, the hotel is comprised of white and blue buildings with paths that lead to the rooms, restaurant, and pool. There’s not a traditional lobby, but an outdoor reception desk faces the beach next to the restaurant. The open-air restaurant is a lovely affair from the black and white tiled floors to the wooden tables and chairs that sit under a tall roof. For something a bit more romantic, guest can book one of the tables on the beach, lit at night by lanterns in the trees. Couples are the main clientele and can be seen intermingling in the restaurant at breakfast. 

The hotel sits on the northern edge of Gili Trawangan, which allows for guest to have a quieter stay, and is located on the beach in a spot along the coast where turtles are said to frequent, making it an ideal snorkeling location. However, as motorized vehicles are not allowed on the Gili Islands, guests should keep in mind that they’ll have to make the 10- to 15-minute walk to the city center and a 15-minute walk to the docks that takes travelers to and from Lombok. From the Lombok docks, it’s another two-hour drive to the Lombok International Airport. There are some dining options on surrounding streets and a mini-golf course that takes five minutes to reach on foot. 

The hotel’s four rooms are housed in individual cottages with their own shaded patios with cozy seating. Inside, the interiors are tasteful with thatched ceilings and whitewashed decor with colorful accents in pillows or artwork on the walls. They’re spacious enough to accommodate small couches that could double as additional beds for those with kids. All units feature flat-screen TVs, minibars, kettles, air-conditioning, bottled water, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are standard for the Gili Islands with open shower setups. Glass vessel sinks are a nice little touch. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided. Some guests report sewage smells that emanate from the bathroom water supply, but this varies. 

Danima Resort & Restaurant doesn’t have the extensive facilities found at actual resorts (despite what the name says), but it does provide a good selection for its size. The beach in front of the hotel attracts most guests, but for those who want some privacy, a small pool with a shallow end in the garden is a good alternative to have. There’s an Italian restaurant that also offers seafood cuisine and beach seating. Breakfast is included in most rates (unless you choose the room-only rate), and it involves made-to-order hot and cold dishes like banana pancakes. The hotel can book massages, boat trips, and tours upon request. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but the signal can be spotty.