Gili Meno, east coast
★ 4.5(1,640 reviews)
Mowie's is a long-running budget-to-mid-range beachfront bungalow property on Gili Meno's east coast, anchored by what is widely regarded as the best sunset cocktail spot on the Gili Islands. Bungalows run 450,000–1,200,000 IDR/night. It is the classic Gili Meno backpacker upgrade — simple bungalows, beachfront fire pit, an excellent restaurant, and a bar that draws non-guests every evening.
# Mowie's Gili Meno: The Beachfront Backpacker Classic
Mowie's has been on Gili Meno's east coast since 2009 and is one of the few accommodations on the island that has maintained both its character and its quality through the steady gentrification of the Gilis. The property is built around two things: simple beachfront bungalows that haven't changed much in fifteen years, and a beachfront bar that is widely regarded as the best sunset spot on Meno. Both deserve their reputation.
Australian-Indonesian ownership, originally founded by an expat called Mowie who has since handed day-to-day operations to a long-tenured local manager. The vibe is intentionally casual — barefoot, no front desk formality, beachfront fire pit, friendly chat with whoever is at the bar.
The property runs about 14 bungalows in a couple of clusters along the beachfront and through a small garden behind. The central building houses the restaurant and bar; the beach is right there.
Three categories. Basic Beach Bungalows are simple fan-cooled wooden bungalows with cold-water bathrooms and beachfront positioning (450,000–650,000 IDR/night). Deluxe Bungalows are larger fan or AC units with hot water, set back from the beach (750,000–950,000 IDR/night). Family Bungalows are two-bedroom AC units suitable for 4 guests (1,000,000–1,200,000 IDR/night).
For first-time Gili Meno visitors who want the beachfront experience, the Basic Beach Bungalows are the iconic choice — you are 5 metres from the sand, you wake to waves, and you pay backpacker money for it. The trade-off is genuine basicness: thin walls, simple bathroom, fan only. Bring earplugs and mosquito repellent.
For couples who want comfort, Deluxe Bungalows are the right balance — AC, hot water, slightly larger room, garden setting back from the beach action.
Mowie's is on Gili Meno's east coast, the side facing the mainland Lombok. From the boat landing it is a 5-minute walk south along the beach (or a cidomo for ~50,000 IDR with luggage). This puts the property close to most of Meno's east-coast restaurants (Diana Cafe, Mahamaya Resort, Karma Reef) and a 20-minute walk from the west-coast snorkelling sites.
A note on the sunset: Mowie's faces east. The sun sets to the west, behind Gili Trawangan. This is actually the best sunset view on Meno, because the sun drops behind Trawangan's silhouette and lights up the channel between the islands. Mowie's has the angle.
The bar is the standout. It opens to the beach, has a long happy hour (4–6pm, 50% off cocktails), and on most nights non-guests walk over from elsewhere on the island specifically to drink there at sunset. The mojitos and the margaritas are properly made. The fire pit is lit nightly in the dry season (April–October) and people sit around it until late. If you stay anywhere else on Meno, come here for sunset at least once.
The restaurant runs Indonesian classics, fresh fish, and wood-fired pizza (mains 70,000–160,000 IDR). Quality is good and prices are fair. The pizza is genuinely good for the Gili Islands. Breakfast is included with most rooms and is solid — eggs, toast, fruit, coffee.
The basic bungalows are really basic. Walls are wooden and thin. You will hear neighbours, you will hear the bar, you will hear the morning call to prayer from the village. Mosquitos find their way in despite nets. The cold-water bathroom is functional. None of this is hidden — Mowie's has run the same bungalow product for 15 years and consistently described it accurately. If you want comfort, don't book Basic; book Deluxe.
WiFi is functional in the main building but weak in the rear bungalows. This is a Gili Islands constraint, not specific to Mowie's.
Bookings are sometimes confused via Booking.com or Agoda — the property is small and inventory updates aren't always real-time. Booking direct via WhatsApp (+62 819 1733 0444) is more reliable, and you'll often get a slightly better rate.
Book Mowie's for solo travel, backpacker upgrades, couples on a budget who want beachfront character, or any trip where you value vibe over polish. Book it specifically for the bar — even if you stay elsewhere on Meno, plan a sunset here. Book the Deluxe rooms if you want comfort.
Skip Mowie's if you want luxury (Kayu Gili Meno is the obvious upgrade), if you need fast WiFi for work, if you sleep poorly with ambient noise, or if you specifically want Gili Trawangan-style nightlife (Meno doesn't have that and Mowie's bar is the loudest thing on the island).