This Luxury Remote-Island Resort Is the Quiet Escape Bali-Goers Are Craving

Getting overstimulated in Bali's tourist hotspots like Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud and Uluwatu is easy. These areas have obvious perks and unique identities, but many are looking for quieter spots to unwind — or a holiday after the holiday — even if a little South Bali fix is on the itinerary somewhere along the way.

That's where the Gili Islands off Indonesia's Lombok come in — in particular, Gili Meno, long known as the "honeymoon island" compared to its neighbours Gili Air and Gili Trawangan. While there are still plenty of couples on the island today, there is also a noticeable number of friends, families, solo travellers and just anyone looking for a more relaxed holiday experience — and it's not hard to see why, especially in a climate where people are prioritising their wellness, in whatever way that looks like.

Spanning 400 metres of the island is Gili Meno's (literally) prized resort BASK, which isn't exclusive to guests (but if you can stay there, it's absolutely worth your while and coin). There are 34 accommodation options, including one-, two-, or three-bedroom villas, suites and studios, many with private pools that genuinely feel completely private thanks to the lush greenery framing them.

Some villas face the beach, others face the Saltwater Lake, and all options are exceptional in design. Each villa oozes modern luxury while blending natural wood with black-and-white, sepia-tinged photography by several Lombok photographers, showcasing Indonesia's cultural heritage.

Now, don't even get me started on the pillow menu (something you don't see every day), where you can choose from Nanofiber, Latex or Microfiber options to suit your sleeping needs. Massages can be ordered straight to the room, ensuring even booked activities feel effortless.

Now, for the food. You might think a remote island could be limited in ingredients; however, this is not the case at BASK. Named in TripAdvisor's top 10% of restaurants globally, the menu is so extensive that you could spend over a week at BASK and still not have tried everything from the menu. Think a blend of Western and Asian flavours, with dishes that'll please anyone in the holiday group, from Korean Chicken and Black Angus burgers to fresh sashimi and sushi, fresh prime cuts of steak, fresh salads like the pear and walnut, and much, much more.

BASK also has an award-winning wine cellar (it's won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence every year for the past three years) with over 150 global wines to choose from. Wines are typically more expensive in Indonesia, but there's a 'screw it' energy at BASK that makes you want to treat yourself.

You can dine at the tables set up on the sand, in the room, on the daybeds or undercover at the open-kitchen restaurant, or have a drink in the basement cocktail lounge, Rosalee. There are plenty of ways to feel like you're somewhere new every time. Just next door is Pomona — also owned by BASK — a 100 per cent gluten-free, Latin American-inspired space if there's a desire to mix things up for lunch or dinner.

When you're not eating and lounging by the pool or sand, days at Gili Meno are spent walking or push-biking around the island, which is just two kilometres long and one kilometre wide — and without the noise pollution of Bali's traffic. Whether you want to swim in crystal-clear waters and spot turtles and colourful fish, pop into local warungs or ride past the Saltwater Lake and to the other side of the island, there are plenty of slow-paced things to do without feeling rushed or chaotic.

This is, of course, if you even want to leave BASK, which you may very well not be interested in doing — no judgement. There is an infinity pool with day beds that you can lounge on throughout the day, even more daybeds on the sand out front (some of which are reserved purely for resort guests, and provide a wonderful sunset to catch every evening), and even a famous snorkelling spot directly out the front of the accommodation. BASK's underwater installation by world-renowned artist Jason deCaires Taylor encourages people from neighbouring islands and beyond to check out the circle formation of sculptures every day.

Getting to BASK requires a boat (unless you want to splash out on a helicopter). Fly to Bali and take a boat from one of its main ports like Nusa Dua, Padang Bai or Sanur (which leave daily), or fly into Lombok and jump on a shorter boat ride from there. Not every boat docks at Gili Meno, but given its proximity to Gili Trawangan, you can always hop off there for a transfer (or get a private one via BASK), which goes back and forth throughout the day.

Founded by Australian Greg Meyer, this is just the beginning for BASK, which keeps evolving and growing with demand and interest. Considering the luxury resort accommodation feels like the perfect remote-island escape but with access to all our creature comforts and a layer of relaxed luxury, we're not surprised.

"For me it feels like living in the late 70s," says BASK owner Greg Meyer of the magic of Gili Meno. "It's safe, incredibly friendly, and has the real charm of a tropical island without any traffic and noise, pollution and chaos."

BASK is now open at Jl. Gili Meno, Gili Indah, Kec. Pemenang, Kabupaten Lombok Utara, Nusa Tenggara Barat 83352, Indonesia.

Images: Supplied.

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