Some hotel reviews are easier to write than others and if the truth be told, BASK, Gili Meno writes itself!
The USP is a little different for BASK Gili Meno – beach club vibes on a remote island, boasting modern luxury from every corner of their beach front pool and garden suites. I mean how could that ever sound bad? The reality is that BASK have created something exceptionally special on their tiny island and there are few places I’d rather be.
This summer is not the first time I’ve visited the small island of Gili Meno. 10 years ago on a girl’s trip to Gili Trawangan (Meno’s neighbouring party island), we hired paddle boards and made the 15 minute journey over to this – at the time – pretty deserted island. We sat on the white sand marvelling at the journey we’d made, then hopped back on our boards and paddled back just in time for sunset pina coladas.
Little did I know then that BASK would be the highlight of my three week Indonesian trip in 2026 – a magical, beautiful place where you could happily switch off your phone for your entire stay and completely forget about the real world.
If you’re heading out to Gili Meno from the UK, you’ll need a flight into either Bali or Lombok followed by a short boat ride to the island. This time, we were already staying on Gili T and were collected by the BASK speedboat.
As soon as our toes hit the sand five minutes later, concierge took our luggage and arranged for it to be sent to our suite while we enjoyed a welcome drink at the stylish open air lobby. There’s a huge main pool here as well as the main restaurant and a swim up bar. The design of BASK is just beautiful from every angle – coral fringed shores, turquoise waters and a backdrop of mountains and volcanos.
Embodying a refined barefoot-luxury aesthetic, BASK blends contemporary architecture with natural Indonesian craftsmanship – resulting in a sort of beach club meets Scandi hygge vibe.
Sun-bleached timber, textured stone, woven rattan and crisp linen are paired with clean, minimalist lines to create gorgeous interiors, while every effort has been made to combine indoor and outdoor living. Large sliding doors, private terraces and generous glazing blur the boundaries between the interiors and the island so that sea breezes, as well as those incredible views and the natural light, become part of the experience.
Our spacious beach front suite with wrap around terrace and private pool was a stone’s throw away from the main restaurant. With a fluid, spacious design throughout, the lounge area flowed into the kitchen area leading into a large bedroom with an expansive bathroom at the back.
Chic, comfortable and minimal, these suites are designed to silence the noise and fuel the relaxation experience. Not that there is a lot of noise to silence – there are no cars on this island so it’s reassuringly peaceful.
Further zen vibes are provided courtesy of the storage options with plenty of hidden away cupboard and wardrobe space. Blackout curtains also guarantee a great night’s sleep in the ultra comfortable super king bed and the air con unit is quiet.
Our terrace had both loungers and a table and chairs which meant most days were spent basking in the heat, dipping in the pool and then enjoying lunch either in the restaurant or delivered to our villa via the app. Most hotels these days offer a What’s App service for any requests, including booking in trips, reserving tables and ordering food and I have to say the team at BASK replied to all our messages in an instant.
Now the food at BASK really is something special. BASK’s Head Chef Bastian Marcel has worked all over the world and the menu reflects his vast experience. From working as a sushi chef in Ibiza’s San Antonio, to the flare of Italian and Spanish fine dining in Singapore, it’s as if Marcel has flavoured the entire food offering with flourishes of his various expertise.
There’s butter poached lobster Benedict on brioche for breakfast, crab salad stuffed inside crispy pani puris with yuzu mayo and tobiko for lunch; as well as Wagyu beef carpaccio and red snapper ceviche. Dinner showcases Australia’s finest steaks which are dry aged for 21 days and then cooked over locally sourced rambutan and coffee wood on the Santa Maria grill.
Running alongside the main restaurant, Pomona serves up South American cuisine with open-fire cooking at its heart as well as tasty loaded tacos with Peruvian and Argentine favourites. We loved the Baja fish tacos, tuna tostados, quesadillas and chicken a la brasa. Decked out in pretty pink and green pastels, Pomona is a really pleasant setting by the sea to enjoy some truly excellent food.
Every single thing we tried, we loved.
If you’re not tootling around the island by bicycle (BASK sits in front of a beautiful saltwater lake called Danau Asin, while there’s also a turtle sanctuary and a few traditional restaurants dotted amongst the Sasak communities), you might want to try a treatment from BASK wellbeing.
From Ocean Sole Therapy complete with a pressure point foot massage to relieve tension, to the Coffee Rejuvenation Ritual which includes a natural coffee scrub, these in villa therapies are designed to restore full body, mind and soul harmony.
Meanwhile if you’re feeling adventurous, we definitely recommend you snorkel down to BASK’s very own marine installation which is a big tourist draw. Located just a short swim from BASK’s beach, The Nest is a circle of 48 human figures created in 2017 by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor. Cast in pH-neutral marine cement it’s designed to encourage coral and sponge growth, supporting and preserving the ocean’s eco-system.
Falling into this relaxed pace of life is made so easy by BASK. Eating, drinking, spending time with loved ones and enjoying live music and an early night becomes the norm while you’re on the island of Gili Meno. That said, the resort shows no signs of slowing down. There are big plans for this retreat which include a new bar and restaurant with an 8 course molecular tasting menu inspired by the island, an enhanced wellness centre, cold plunges and sound therapy.
All I can hope is that it’s not another 10 years before I’m back in this amazing place because BASK has to be one of our favourite resorts worldwide.
If you’re ready for a reset, book your island escape here.