Escape to Paradise: RedDoorz Ocean 2 Gili Trawangan Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the coral-reef-colored reviews of Escape to Paradise: RedDoorz Ocean 2 Gili Trawangan Awaits! This isn't some corporate drone-fest; this is the real deal, the messy, wonderful, sometimes-slightly-salty scoop you need to make your Gili T adventure a reality.
First Impressions & The "OMG, I'm ACTUALLY Here!" Factor
Right, so, getting to Gili Trawangan is an adventure in itself! (Think: speedboat, salty hair, and the hopeful glint in your eye that you actually booked the right boat). Arriving at RedDoorz Ocean 2… well, it’s your first breath of that genuine island air. The exterior? Classic RedDoorz – clean, functional, and definitely not glitzy. But honestly, who cares? We're here for the Gili T experience, NOT the lobby chandelier.
(Stuff That Actually Matters - The Nitty Gritty of the Stay)
Accessibility: (Okay, look, I need to preface this with: I didn't check accessibility specifically this time, because, honestly, I was more focused on the beach and the Bintangs. BUT! They do have facilities for disabled guests, an elevator, and generally easy access around the public areas. This is something you'd absolutely want to double-check with the hotel directly, of course!).
Internet Access: Yes, thank GOD! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (Praise the travel gods!) And it actually WORKS. I mean, I could post my Insta stories of the sunsets without looking like a dial-up dinosaur. Bonus points for Internet access – LAN in the rooms. (Useful if you're actually trying to get some work done, you productivity nerd, you.)
Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, let's get serious for a sec. In these times, this is HUGE. Rooms sanitized between stays, daily disinfection in common areas, and sanitized kitchen and tableware items. Plus, they have anti-viral cleaning products. I found the place to be spotless, and the staff clearly took hygiene seriously. They also have hand sanitizer everywhere you can look, and the staff is trained in safety protocol. The doctor/nurse on call is a comforting touch. (Just in case that Bintang turns on you.)
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (and Getting My Zen On!)
Listen. This place is NOT a lavish resort. They DO NOT have a full spa with 10 different types of seaweed wraps. But they do have a gorgeous swimming pool [outdoor]. And guys, it's actually really nice. Seriously. After a day snorkeling with turtles and soaking up the sun, just lying by the pool, reading a trashy novel, and sipping a cocktail… that’s about as good as it gets. There's also a Pool with view. Think: perfect for a relaxing afternoon. (Not the full-blown spa experience, but, you know, Gili T is about the laid-back vibes). They've also got a fitness center! I did NOT check it out, but… the beach is your gym, people.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Paradise Machine!
Okay, so, the Asian breakfast was pretty darn decent. They also offer the classic Western breakfast if you're feeling homesick for your eggs and bacon. There is a restaurant that offers International cuisine in restaurant. You can get coffee/tea in restaurant, if you need a pick me up. There's a poolside bar! (Essential.) Plus you can grab some desserts in restaurant, salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant. If you like a Happy hour, just head to the Bar.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things that Make Life Easier
They have Daily housekeeping, which is AMAZING. (Because, let's be honest, the sand gets EVERYWHERE.) The 24-hour front desk is a lifesaver, especially if you're battling jet lag and need a bottle of water at 3 AM. Currency exchange is available. Laundry service is a must-have on an island. They offer Air conditioning in public area, which is welcomed. They have Safety deposit boxes which is great to stash your valuables.
For the Kids (or the Kid in You)
They’re listed as Family/child friendly. (I didn't have kids with me, but I saw plenty of them around. It seemed like a pretty chill environment.)
The Room: My Own Little Island Hideaway
The room itself? Clean, bright, and comfortable. Air conditioning? YES! Free Wi-Fi? YES! Blackout curtains? Praise be! (For sleeping in after a night of questionable decisions.) Coffee/tea maker, Free bottled water, Refrigerator, Internet access – LAN, Wi-Fi [free] and Toiletries are the necessities for a good stay. Bathroom phone?? It might or might not have worked. Additional toilet? Not so much. Slippers, Hair dryer, and Desk. The basics are there. I was happy.
Getting Around
They provide Airport transfer – which is super handy. Car park [free of charge] is another plus. They also have Taxi service.
(The Anecdote You Didn't Know You Needed!)
So, confession time. After a day of snorkeling, I accidentally left my phone on the beach. Like, just out there on the sand. I realized it about an hour later, totally panicked. Raced back, fully expecting to find it gone. But there it was! Still there! (Okay, maybe it’s a small island, but this goes to show the vibe of the place.)
(The Messy Bit - The Honest Truth)
Look, this isn't the Four Seasons. It's not. There are some slight imperfections, like the occasional wobbly chair or the slow Wi-Fi. AND, the rooms are not ultra-fancy. But the staff are lovely, the location is fantastic, and the whole place has a relaxed, friendly vibe that’s perfect for Gili T.
(The Emotional Verdict – So, Should You Book It?)
YES. Absolutely, YES. If you're looking for a clean, comfortable, and well-located basecamp for your Gili T adventures, this is it. It’s not pretentious. It’s not overly expensive. It's just…right. It's the kind of place where you can truly relax and embrace the island life. I felt safe, comfortable, and actually happy there. That's worth more than a fancy lobby, in my book.
(The Money-Saving, Booking-Your-Trip-Right-Now-Because-I-Said-So Bit)
Here's the deal:
Escape to Paradise: RedDoorz Ocean 2 Gili Trawangan Awaits! is the perfect choice for budget adventurers and families who are looking for a good location to go to all the best beaches of Gili T. It's safe, it's clean, it's friendly, and it's close to everything you want to be close to.
Our Exclusive Offer:
Book your stay directly through my link (I don't actually have a link; this is a metaphor FOR YOU to look up the hotel and book it) and you might (keyword: might) snag a sweet deal. They often have promotions, and you'll want to be on it.
Don't wait! Gili T is calling, and Paradise is waiting. Book now, and get ready to fall in love with island life. You deserve it!
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Gili Trawangan: My Attempt at Paradise (and the Reality of RedDoorz)
Okay, let's be honest, planning this trip felt like herding cats. Gili Trawangan, Lombok, Indonesia. Sounds idyllic, right? Turquoise water, swaying palms, the whole Instagram-influencer shebang. I, a solo traveler with a penchant for chaos (and a budget that screams "RedDoorz," bless it), decided to dive in. Here's how it (mostly) shook out:
Day 1: Arrival and Awkward First Impressions
- Morning (8:00 AM): Landed in Lombok. The airport? Surprisingly functional! But the heat hit me like a brick wall. Instantly regretting wearing those skinny jeans. Grabbed a pre-booked taxi (thank GOD, I'm not a haggling kinda gal) and zoomed towards the Bangsal harbor. The driver, a jovial man with a gold tooth that winked in the sun, kept pointing out interesting things in Bahasa. Understood about 10% of it, but appreciated the effort.
- Morning (9:30 AM): Ferry to Gili Trawangan. The ferry… well, let's just say it offered a unique perspective of the ocean. Think: close proximity to other passengers and a distinct diesel aroma. Also, realized I hadn't put on sunscreen yet. Facepalm.
- Midday (11:00 AM): Arrived on Gili T. Paradise…sort of. The sand is blindingly white, yes. But the overwhelming donkey traffic and the incessant shouts of "Bargain, bargain!" from every other local? A little overwhelming.
- Midday (12:00 PM): Found RedDoorz @ Ocean 2. Okay, let's be real, the website photos were…optimistic. My room was small, smelled faintly of mildew, and the air conditioning sounded like a dying lawnmower. But, hey, it had a bed! And a mosquito net that, fingers crossed, would actually work.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch at a beachfront warung. Ordered Nasi Goreng (classic, right?). The rice was…okay. The chili? Death by fire. Tears streamed down my face as I fanned my mouth. Learned my lesson about Indonesian spice levels the hard way.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Attempted a "relaxing" beach stroll. Immediately got hassled by a guy on a horse-drawn carriage. (Seriously, is this 1880?) Declined. Walked further. Slipped on sand. Sat in the sand. Realized I couldn't relax. Maybe I'm not a beach person.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Sunset cocktails. Found a bar with a swing. Instantly judged my fellow tourists for being more photogenic. Ordered a Bintang (the local beer). Sunset was spectacular, even though the bar seemed to be playing a random 80s playlist. (Journey? Really?)
- Evening (8:00 PM): Street food dinner. The fish satay was amazing! Almost made up for the earlier chili incident. Almost. Walked back to RedDoorz, exhausted, and wondered if I could learn to love the dying-lawnmower-AC noise.
Day 2: Snorkelling, Regrets, and a Glimmer of Hope
- Morning (8:00 AM): Woke up to the sound of the dying lawnmower. And the roosters. Lots and lots of roosters.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Snorkelling trip. Booked this the night before, feeling confident. The water was ridiculously clear. Saw turtles! (Worth a million Instagram likes.) Also saw a jellyfish. Jumped. Screamed. Resumed snorkelling carefully.
- Midday (12:00 PM): Lunch at a cafe with actual decent coffee. Found a book. Felt a bit less like a tourist and a bit more like a human.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Rented a bike. (Should have known better). Within 10 minutes, I fell. Scraped my knee. The bike had no brakes. Decided to walk.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Found a deserted stretch of beach. Finally felt a sense of calm. Actually enjoyed the sun.
- Afternoon (5:00 PM): Discovered a beach bar with a live reggae band. Sang along (badly) to Bob Marley with the others.
- Evening(7:00 PM): Sat again at a different bar, the best one, I spent the entire evening talking and laughing with some people. This was the first time I actually felt like myself.
- Evening (10:00 PM): Walk back to RedDoorz. Tired, happy, and smelling of salt and beer. The lawnmower-AC noise suddenly seemed less offensive. Maybe I was starting to acclimatize.
Day 3: Heading Back (and a Tentative Goodbye to Gili)
- Morning (8:00 AM): More roosters. More lawnmower. Ate the free breakfast at RedDoorz (burnt toast, but hey, free!)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Packing. Contemplating the meaning of "paradise." Wondering if I'll ever get the sand out of my shoes.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Farewell walk along the beach. Tried to memorize the blue of the water.
- Morning (11:00 AM): Ferry back to Bangsal. The air smelled better somehow, maybe my nose got used to it..
- Midday (12:00 PM): Taxi to the airport. Wrote some notes, trying to remember details from the trip. Saw the same driver again.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Flight. Looking out the window. I’m not sure I loved Gili Trawangan, but I didn't hate it. Maybe. It certainly was memorable, probably not the "perfect paradise" but it had some truly special moments. It's messy, imperfect, and full of surprises. Just like life, I guess. And hey, it did have turtles. So, yeah. Not bad. Not bad at all.
Stuff I Missed (and Probably Should Have Done):
- Learn some basic Bahasa. (Seriously, I felt like a moron)
- Taken a cooking class.
- Explored more outside of the immediate tourist zone.
- Tried to eat a proper meal at the RedDoorz, but was way too scared of dying from the food.
My Honest Verdict: Gili Trawangan is beautiful, chaotic, and exhausting. My RedDoorz was basic but got the job done. Would I go back? Maybe. In a few years, after I've saved up enough money to rent a proper room, and learned how to say "No, thank you" in Bahasa. But for now, I’m incredibly happy to be home and never have to see a donkey again.
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Escape to Paradise: RedDoorz Ocean 2 Gili Trawangan Awaits! - FAQs (and My Honest Take... Buckle Up)
Okay, Seriously, What's the Deal with Gili Trawangan? Is It Actually Paradise?
Alright, look, "paradise" is a word thrown around a lot. And yes, Gili Trawangan has its moments. Picture this: turquoise water, powdery white sand, sunsets that make you want to weep (in a good way, mostly). But! (and there's always a "but," isn't there?) It's also... well, it's Gili Trawangan. Which means, you're sharing that paradise with, let's be honest, quite a few other people. Think of it as a slightly gritty, backpacker-chic version of the Maldives, with a soundtrack of reggae and the constant clatter of horse-drawn carts (more on those later... *shudders*).
So, heaven? Parts of it. Overcrowded heaven? Yeah, probably. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Just manage your expectations and embrace the chaos.
And RedDoorz Ocean 2... Is It as Good as the Pictures Make It Look? (Because, Let's Be Real, Travel Photos Lie.)
Alright, the pictures. They're… flattering. Let's just say the photographer probably wielded the 'enhance' slider like a Jedi Master. RedDoorz Ocean 2? It's good. It's decent. It's certainly functional. My room? Clean enough. Bed? Comfy enough after a long day of sun and snorkeling. The AC? A glorious gift from the gods, truly.
But. Remember that "slightly gritty" vibe of Gili T? It extends to the hotel. Don't expect pristine luxury. Expect a comfortable, affordable basecamp to explore the island. I had a tiny balcony (which, let's be honest, I spent most of my time on) and the view? Not ocean-front, as implied by some photos. More like... a peek of the ocean, past another building. Still, I'll take it! Especially for the price.
What About the Location? Is It Convenient?
Location, location, location! And here, RedDoorz Ocean 2 scores pretty well. It's not smack-dab in the thick of the party (thank GOD! My sleep is PRECIOOUS). It's a short walk to the beach, and near some decent restaurants. Plus, you can easily stroll anywhere on the island, which, remember, is tiny! Perfect for exploring by foot, or even better: renting a bike.
Bike rentals are EVERYWHERE. Just be warned: the roads are sandy, and I ate it *hard* on my first attempt to navigate a hairpin turn. Luckily I was with a friend who caught it on camera, which is still a point of amusement. Learn from my mistakes, please. Don't ride a bike after too many Bintangs.
Okay, Horse Carts. Are They Romantic or Existential Dread-Inducing?
Oh, the horse carts. The *cidomos*. They’re definitely part of the Gili Trawangan experience, alright. And let me just get this out of the way: they're... complicated. On one hand, they're a quirky, old-school way to get around. A bit charming, even. On the other hand… Those poor horses. The heat. The overwork. The… well, the whole situation. It's not pretty. It kinda made me want to take a train to stop animal abuse, and then spend a lonely night in the hotel room, watching documentaries about animal cruelty.
If you have ANY reservations about animal welfare, avoid the cidomos entirely. Walk, bike, or ask for help. Your conscience will thank you. I did take one; the allure of a ride with my friend was just too strong. The experience was really quiet, and felt awkward because of the horses. One of the horses just looked broken.
Food! What Should I Eat? (Because I'm Always Thinking About Food.)
Ah, the most important question! The food in Gili Trawangan is generally fantastic. Fresh seafood, delicious Indonesian dishes, Western options if you're craving something familiar. My absolute favorite? The grilled fish on the beach. The aroma alone is enough to make you swoon.
Do not, under any circumstances, miss out on the warungs (local restaurants) for authentic Indonesian food. The prices are amazing, and the flavors… oh, the flavors! Spicy, flavorful, and cheap as chips. I discovered a tiny warung a few blocks from the hotel that served the BEST nasi goreng I've ever had. I went there every single day. It was an experience that I still dream about.
And don't be afraid of the street food! Just use your common sense. Trust your gut (literally and figuratively). And maybe pack some Immodium just in case.
Is There Anything I Should NOT Do While I'm There?
Oh, absolutely. Here's the unvarnished truth, my friends:
- **Don't expect perfect service.** Things run on island time. Be patient. (This is a lesson I still struggle with, TBH.)
- **Don't show off. Be yourself.** Gili Trawangan attracts all walks of life. Embrace the laid-back vibe, not the Instagram-perfect facade.
- **Don't leave your sunscreen at home. You'll burn, I guarantee it.** I learned this the hard way. Red, peeling, and regretted.
- **Don't expect to be alone. Ever.** Embrace the community vibes! Talk to people! Make friends! Some of my best travel memories are from connecting with random people. Especially after too much food or drink - but even better!
- **Most of all, don't expect perfection**. It’s not perfect. The island has its flaws. The hotel has its charm. You, probably, have your own flaws. It makes it real. Just go with the flow – you'll have a great time.
Any Tips for Making the Most of My Stay at RedDoorz Ocean 2?
Okay, here's some insider wisdom:
- **Embrace the noise.** Gili Trawangan is alive, day and night. Pack earplugs if you're a light sleeper. I didn't, and regretted it.
- **Bring a good book.** Or download a bunch on your Kindle! Reading on the beach is pure bliss.
- **Negotiate prices.** Especially for boat trips, souvenirs, and anything else that doesn't have a fixed price. They always expect you to bargain!
- **Take advantage of the free breakfast (if it's included).** Even if it's just toast and instant coffee, it's free! I mean, why not?
- **Save On Hotels NowRedDoorz @ Ocean 2 Gili Trawangan Lombok Indonesia
RedDoorz @ Ocean 2 Gili Trawangan Lombok Indonesia
