Begadang, which is Indonesian for ‘stay up all night talking,' is the perfect name for the hostel where I stayed on Gili Air. Located just a few minutes from the beach, Begadang Backpacker is a great option for budget travelers to the island.
The Room
Begadang Backpacker has both dorms and private rooms available. I stayed in a private double room with shared bathroom facilities. The private rooms are bamboo structures raised from the ground with a double-bed-sized mattress inside. The room comes with a mosquito netting, bamboo curtains (for privacy at night), lights, sockets to charge electronics, a pillow and blankets. Towels are not provided. The room also does not have anywhere to lock up belongings, but I never felt like my stuff would get stolen. My room was also in full view of the reception, which had a staff member 24 hours.
Though the furnishings were simple, my room served its purpose just fine. I didn't spend any time in it besides sleeping. I was mostly out exploring the island by bike or enjoying the beach. If I was at the hostel, I used the common areas to lounge and meet people, which is part of the fun of staying at a hostel.
Location
One of the best parts of staying at Begadang Backpacker was the fact it was less than 5 minutes to the beach. Because they are located on Sunset Blvd, the closest beach is the best place to watch the sunset each night in comfy beanbag chairs provided by the beach-front restaurants. Seriously nothing beats sipping an ice-cold beer while the sun slips behind the volcano of nearby Bali!
Because the island is so small, it also is easy to get around to see other parts of the island as well. The hostel rents bikes for 30,000 IDR per day (~$3) and a short 10 minute bike ride can take you anywhere on the island. I spent a whole day out on a bike, stopping at different places to relax, eat, read, and take in the island life!
Across the street from the hostel is the Space Bar, which I did not have a chance to visit but looked like a cool place to spend a few trippy hours.
Facilities
One of the coolest parts of Begadang Backpacker, and one of the first things I noticed, was the mushroom shaped pool. It glows in the dark at night and was full of balls and floats to make sure any pool time was fun. The pool was also never too cold, meaning I could jump in day or night.
As previously mentioned, the hostel provides daily bike rentals. They also have a laundry service based on weight (I believe 2,000 IDR per kilo). I utilized the service and got my laundry back washed, dried, and folded in less than a day.
The hostel has shared shower and bathroom facilities with hot water. The bathroom is built entirely out of bamboo, and provides a unique experience for showering. It is not everyday your nozzle is a hollow piece of bamboo! The bathrooms were frequently cleaned and kept very tidy with plenty of soap and toilet paper always stocked.
Although they do not provide breakfast, Begadang Backpacker has an area where guests are welcome to cook and prepare their own food. During my stay, another guest whipped up some pancakes that smelled amazing. The hostel does provide free drinking water. They also have happy hour specials in the afternoon for those interested in a few drinks! If you get hungry during the stay, the restaurant across the street will deliver your dishes right to you at the hostel! Very convenient.
Aside from the rooms, the hostel has a long communal table where people frequently sit to eat, drink, talk, or play board games. There is also a large bamboo gazebo next to the pool with bean bag chairs and mats, where guests can hang out, read, or just take a nap.
Final Verdict
If you're looking for a budget friendly accommodation with a super friendly, helpful staff where you are guaranteed to make new friends, than Begadang Backpacker is for you! I had a great few nights and, while it was not at all fancy, it was a great place to get the local feel of Gili Air with an awesome location just minutes away from the beach and the sunset.
Hostel Info
Sunset Blvd, Gili Air
+62 878 6233 1678
Facebook: Begadang Backpacker
Email: begadangbackpackers@gmail.com
Have you stayed at Begadang Backpacker? Share your experience in the comments!
1 Comment on Begadang Backpacker Hostel, Gili Air: Review
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
The rooms at Begadang Backpackers feature a balcony, air conditioning, a seating area and a shared bathroom with a shower.