If you’re planning a Bali holiday and are thinking of adding a few adventures into the mix, the trio of islands known as the Gilis make an incredibly easy add-on. Just a 2-3hr fast boat ride from Bali (depending on departure point), and suddenly you’re somewhere that feels worlds away from the mainland.
The Gili Islands are made up of three tiny tropical escapes – Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno – with Gili Trawangan being the largest and most well-known. Gili Trawangan (or Gili T as it is often referred to) has a bit of a reputation as the ‘party island’ of the three, but what we discovered during our stay at Cocana Resort is that you can still find pockets of tranquillity here – especially when you stay somewhere designed to be a full destination in itself.
We spent 3-days and 4-nights at Cocana, and very quickly realised that this was one of those rare resorts where you arrive… and suddenly have no desire to leave! And honestly, that was largely down to the exceptional service, which stood out from the very first moment and continued throughout our stay.
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Arrival & First Impressions
One of the things that immediately made this trip feel easy was how smooth the arrival process was. After pulling into the harbour at Gili Trawangan, there was already a member of the Cocana team waiting for us with a sign. It sounds like a small detail, but it immediately set the tone for the rest of the stay.
Bags were taken care of, smiles were everywhere, and there was that warm but polished service that makes you realise you’ve stumbled across somewhere genuinely special. From the harbour, we were escorted to the resort and shown straight to the seated check-in, rather than standing at a front desk. It felt relaxed and personal, and within minutes we had that feeling you sometimes get at great hotels – that everything is going to be easy!
Another big plus for Cocana is the resort’s position on the sunset side of the island. That side of Gili Trawangan is particularly idyllic (especially for couples), with stunning golden hour panoramas across the water and incredible sunsets every evening.
Even though Gili Trawangan has plenty of restaurants, beach clubs and shops nearby, the resort is so gorgeous, and the service so attentive, that we knew we weren’t going to be leaving much over the next few days.
Why Cocana Works So Well For a Romantic Escape
If you’re looking for somewhere to add a few romantic nights onto your Bali hols, Cocana Resort is the perfect tranquil haven for honeymooners and loved-up couples. Not only is the journey from Bali to the Gili Islands super straightforward, but once you arrive on Gili Trawangan, you’ll notice an immediate shift in pace. No cars, no traffic – just sandy paths, bicycles and horses passing along the beach.
When you’re at Cocana, the days fall naturally into a laid-back rhythm. Lazy breakfasts. Afternoons by the villa pool or main pool. Sunset drinks overlooking the ocean. Then a relaxed dinner without needing to go anywhere.
Being on the sunset side of the island really adds to that fairy-tale vibe too. One evening, we were sitting with cocktails, watching horses trot along the beach whilst the sky slowly shifted from gold to pink. It was one of those moments that feels very ‘Gili’.
A Peek Inside the 1-Bedroom Pool Villa
Our 1-Bedroom Pool Villa was incredibly spacious and felt more like a private retreat than a standard hotel room. There was a generous bedroom area, a charming living space, and a private pool, which quickly became one of our favourite hangout spots during the stay. Having the outdoor space made it very easy to spend long stretches of time in the villa without it feeling confined.
The villa also included those thoughtful extras, such as a well-stocked minibar with snacks and drinks, dressing gowns and slippers, a beach bag to use during our stay, and a Smart TV where you can even log into your own Netflix or streaming account. The outdoor shower area deserves a mention too. Surrounded by greenery, it felt tropical and private, and really added to that island-living atmosphere.
One afternoon, we ordered in-room dining through the Cocana app and simply spent the afternoon sitting by our private pool, eating lunch and relaxing. It ended up being one of our favourite moments of the trip.
And speaking of the app, this was a real game-changer in terms of making our stay totally hassle-free. We were encouraged to download it on arrival, and it genuinely made our trip a whole lot smoother. Through the app, you can do heaps of practical things, including ordering room service, requesting more amenities, contacting the front desk, arranging laundry, booking activities, organising harbour transfers, and even making your preferred selection using the in-room pillow menu. We also used the app to book spa treatments, ensuring that we could organise a time that suited our schedule.
A Breakfast Worth Waking Up For
The breakfast at Cocana easily deserves its own dedicated section, as it was such a highlight of our stay. The setup combines buffet and à-la-carte – our favourite combination!
You can help yourself to pastries, cheeses, doughnuts and other buffet items, but still order more hearty breakfast dishes from the menu, such as avocado on toast, egg shakshuka and smoothie bowls. Every mouthful was tasty, and the coffee was excellent.
The detox juices and healthy options were great, but there were plenty of indulgent choices too – which we loved because it meant you could go healthy one morning and treat yourself the next. Another nice touch was the Indian breakfast options, which added some extra variety to the menu.
But again, it was the service that really stood out. The team remembered our coffee and juice preferences and always let us know well in advance when the breakfast service would end, so we never felt rushed. And it’s that level of attentiveness that really elevated the whole experience.
Eating Our Way Through Cocana
Over the course of three nights, we ended up having breakfast, lunch and dinner at the resort – which says a lot! Normally, when staying on Gili T, we explore different restaurants around the island, but the food was so consistently good that we couldn’t tear ourselves away.
The menus at Cocana Resort offer an impressive balance of international dishes and Western favourites. One afternoon, we had the rendang for lunch, which was so tender and aromatic. Another evening, we went for pizza and wine, which turned out to be one of those simple but perfect holiday meals. It never felt like a restricted hotel menu thanks to the impressive range of options, no matter whether you wanted something healthy, Indonesian or European.
Long Lunches & Ocean Breezes at Pacifica by Cocana
One of the main dining venues at the resort is Pacifica by Cocana, and it quickly became one of those spots we kept drifting back to during our stay. Pacifica is an all-day restaurant, so you can dine here from breakfast through to dinner, with a menu that blends Mediterranean-inspired flavours with international faves. We were big fans of the open and airy vibe, designed to make the most of the island’s breezes and ocean views.
The menu leans into fresh seafood, Mediterranean-style dishes and handmade pizzas, along with a combination of lighter bites and more indulgent options depending on your mood. It’s perfect for long lunches or lazy dinners where you’re happy to sit, talk and stay a while.
Pacifica is also connected to the resort’s pool club area, where cabanas, sun loungers, and a large pool create a casual setting for daytime drinks and nibbles. However, if you’re feeling particularly comfortable in your villa, the Pacifica menu is also available for in-room dining, so you can enjoy the same dishes poolside in the privacy of your own space.
Golden Evenings at Cocana Sunset Club
Sunsets are a big part of the Gili experience! And Cocana Sunset Club really leans into the golden hour vibe with dining and entertainment areas, cocktails, sea views, music and a mellow evening ambience.
Once again, the team were fantastic at ensuring in-house guests were seated with the best tables for sunset, and one of our most memorable moments was sitting there with a cocktail in hand, watching people ride horses along the beach whilst the sky changed colour. For couples, this is one of those enchanting backdrops that’s hard to beat.
On selected evenings, the resort also hosts BBQ dinners, which adds another fun dining option to the stay, giving the evening a slightly different atmosphere.
Press Pause at SAO Spa
Tucked away inside the resort is Cocana’s spa, called SAO, and it is renowned as one of the largest spas on Gili Trawangan. You feel the pace slow down the moment you walk in, and it boasts a menu full of wellness treatments designed to help you completely unwind.
We tried a traditional Balinese massage, and it was wonderful – the therapists were incredibly skilled, and the whole experience was attentive and relaxed. Alongside massages, SAO Spa offers body scrubs, facials, aromatherapy therapies and those luxe holiday rituals like flower baths, all designed to restore balance to the body and mind.
The spa team had the same warm, calming energy that we had experienced across the whole resort, which really reinforced the feeling of being looked after. Because the resort itself is so self-contained and relaxing, it’s incredibly easy to slip into that slow island rhythm and book a treatment after a morning by the pool or an afternoon on the beach.
Island Adventures & Little Extras
Even though Cocana Resort is the kind of place where it’s very easy to switch into chill-mode, there are still ways to stay active if you feel like it. The resort has a well-equipped gym with cardio machines, weights, and an assault-style bike, so it’s easy to keep up with your workout routine when travelling.
For exploring the island, Cocana also provides bicycles for guests, which we used one afternoon to ride around Gili Trawangan. Since the island has no cars, cycling is one of the best ways to see it – cruising past beach cafés, ocean views and the occasional horse. They also have paddleboards available, giving you the chance to see the island from a totally different perspective.
Another charming touch is Cana Boutique, the resort’s on-site shop. Inside, we found a cute selection of clothes, sunglasses, jewellery and handmade hair accessories – the perfect kind of island treasures.
Where Island Life Slows Down
One of the things you notice straight away about Cocana Resort is how peaceful and spacious the whole property feels. The gardens are beautifully maintained, with lush tropical landscaping that makes an afternoon stroll a real treat. It’s an easy resort to walk around, however buggy rides are always available if you’d prefer a lift.
The prime beachfront location on Gili Trawangan also means those effortless island moments are never far away. One afternoon, we ordered lunch directly to our sunbeds and spent the day dipping in and out of the pool, looking out at dreamy ocean views. Between the beach, the pools, the villa, the spa and the restaurants, Cocana is very much the kind of place where once you arrive, you quickly realise you don’t need to go anywhere else.
A Stay That Has It All
Whilst the setting is undoubtedly captivating, the real standout at Cocana is the service. From the second we arrived to the moment we left, the team delivered that 5-star hospitality that makes a stay truly memorable.
Staff remembered our breakfast orders, anticipated what we might need before we even asked, and somehow managed to be consistently attentive without ever feeling intrusive. From helping with our fast boat transfer and luggage to checking in throughout our stay, every interaction felt thoughtful and genuine.
By the end of our three nights at Cocana, it was clear that this isn’t just a place to stay – it’s a resort that gets the little details right. And the kind of escape that reminds you exactly why the Gili Islands are the ideal tropical getaway!
To find out more about Cocana Resorts Gili Trawangan, check availability, or book your perfect break, head to their website or check out their Instagram page.
