Kardia Resort Gili A Pramana Experience — Hotel in Gili Trawangan

This place has so much potential but was let down by a couple of things for us. Despite not even being a year old, the property is already showing signs of aging (staining to outdoor soft furnishings, damaged/warped planks around the pool, algae build up on pool tiles, broken bedside table, door knob unsecure and suncream/yellow staining on white bathroom doors from people's hands. The usb points, table lamp and TV didn't work (reported but and not rectified)). We stayed for 4 nights and I never once saw pool being cleaned (and I was up before 6am on two mornings for a run). This perhaps explains the staining/algae on the pool tiles as does the absence of a pool shower. The sensored lights in the room were a bit tempramental too. These things may seem minor but collectively doesn't represent 4* and could easily be rectified with proper management/maintenance. It would be a shame for such a lovely new hotel to fall back because of things like this. The breakfast was also disappointing, whilst there were lots of options, most of them included the same staple things in various form (e.g. egg on toast with bacon and avo, omelette in breadbun with avo and bacon) and there are no sweet options like pancakes. My husband had the 'big breaky' every morning and 3/4 mornings it was cold (and I mean COLD) and had to be sent back. First time the whole thing was put in the oven for 5 mins to warm through but the toast burnt, next morning Luke warm and third morning it had to be returned twice as it was cold each time and only 3rd time was Luke warm. Chef should not be sending out cold food or undercooked (poached eggs too watery 🫤). Breakfast was also inconsistent and not as advertised (e.g one morning eggs on toast came with 2 eggs on 2 slices of toast, another morning just one slice of toast and no feta as per menu) little things, but frustrating. As is when you ask for ketchup/butter and it doesn't come so you ask again 5/10 mins later but then it just never arrives. The frozen cocktails during happy hour are very weak but not frozen far too strong. These things are basic, reasonable guest expectations which could be forgiven in the early days of opening but not nearly a year in. Despite these frustrations, overall we enjoyed our stay. The greeting on arrival was very welcoming (and welcome drink delicious!) And staff came to wish us well on departure. The staff were generally very friendly and made an effort to speak and get to know you (which was really nice). The entertainment was also good (fire show, Balinese dancing, live cooking station - make sure to try 'bamboo tales' the food was really good!) There was also complimentary cold water in the rooms and poolside which was served in glass decanters to reduce plastic waste. The rooms themselves were very nicely decorated and (door staining aside) very clean. The sunsets from the hotel were stunning and we didn't mind being a 30 min walk from 'town' as the west side of the island is...

Where do I start. The location was ideal because it is away from the busy center. The pictures show a beautiful ocean front but you cannot swim in the ocean immediately in front of the hotel. Something about it being an eco reserve? But locals do fish there at night.

The staff who some also work at night as local entertainment, fire dancers, are incredible. Kudos to them.

Our first room was good. Nice sheets but the doors are not air tight so even with the AC on the room gets hot. There are semi open air bathrooms, which meant hearing the neighbour’s have shower sex and use the loo. After many incidents the hotel gave us a room at the back of the resort for our last night. A pool access room. More ideal for a quiet time.

The pool around the pool access rooms is not maintained as well as the main pools but overall a bit of shade and a calm experience. Pool access rooms or private pool rooms would be best for this hotel if you want to try and relax.

The new room we were given, we put lobster and wine in the fridge. After a few hours we went to the fridge to see it smelled bc it was hot in the fridge. The hotel staff came to check and find that the fridge was broken and operating at 25*C. They offered to put in a new mini fridge but our lobster had already gone bad. We did get a new mini-fridge, plugged in and light turning on as though it was functioning but after a few hours it was apparent that the new fridge was also not working.

We also had geckos in our room that made the most bizarre and loud noises all throughout the night. The hotel offered to try and get them but geckos are pretty fast so it’s like how long do you want to try and chase them off the ceiling.

The food is hit or miss. For instance the squid is pretty nice and a decent portion but the fried chicken is literally one piece of paper thin chicken. The staff are for the most part quite helpful. The hotel operates with WhatsApp but the response times are not great.

Bicycles can be rented on property but through a separate bike renter not associated with the property. So bikes can be rented with cash. Our bikes went missing and we were accused from the bike renter of stealing or losing them… spent the whole day waiting for a solution only to find out other guests had taken our bikes. Being accused of stealing is a pretty big deal as thieves are made to wear a sign and paraded around the villages. We were given different bikes that broke down and the chain didn’t work while we were out so we had to walk the bikes back to the hotel.

Overall it has been a stressful experience and I wouldn’t recommend this hotel unless you are not too fussed about relaxing and having a no drama experience. The location isn’t very walkable… unless you really...

We stayed for 7 nights at the Kardiá in late March and overall had a great stay with only minor issues|The resort is in the ‘Sunset’ side of Gili Trawangan and was a 20 mins walk to the port area. Cycles to hire nearby, horse and a cart options and electric mopeds were the easy transport options. We used all 3 but none available through the actual hotel.|We had a great welcome and were shown to our swim up room before official check in. We were given incentives including a free evening meal and free massage due to stay duration.|Room was clean, spacious and had all of the usual amenities. Outside bathroom. Only niggle was a chronic lack of storage/hanging space for clothes and due to the duration and inclement weather it was an issue. Reception provided an extra clothes aired though.|Swim up area is at the back of the plot and very quiet. As the hotel was also at low occupancy this area wasn’t really used and the adjacent seating area for afternoon tea was a bit of a wasted feature. Possibly more vibrant in peak season but no real bar scene.|Main area housed main pool, restaurant & reception. All overlooking the road. Good choice of food and drinks reasonably priced although seemed to be few branded options. The breakfast was truly excellent with many tasty options included in our room rate. All a la Carte.|The main pool had adequate sunbeds and the pool a good temperature. Some wear and tear showing and sunbed covers a little grimy. Towels provided.|The onsite spa was good and we had a couple of massages each. Professional, reasonably priced and really pleasant ladies.|Overall the staff were excellent and well trained always interacting with us. I celebrated my birthday whilst there and they brought me cake and did a wonderful bed decoration. Thankyou.|Two minor issues though. Quite a pronounced sewerage smell between the reception and the ocean view rooms daily not nice to walk through every day. Some notices on use of bio systems for waste water but a bit offputting. Secondly, the build of the resort looked like it was deteriorating quickly considering it is less than a few years old. Pool tiles beginning to fail, paving to rooms and door locks a bit wonky led us to think it was maybe built in a hurry or with value materials. Didn’t have that feel of a robust quality construction.||We had some pretty poor weather whilst there and didn’t see the island at its best unfortunately. I’ve kept my score at 5/5 as the build quality didn’t detract too much from the otherwise excellent stay and the service...