With the introduction of BASK Resort, a new luxe beach club and villa resort development debuting in early 2016, the unspoiled island of Gili Meno is soon to become the go-to destination to visit in Indonesia for in-the-know jet setters. A welcome alternative to the now overdeveloped island of neighboring Bali, Gili Meno’s natural beauty is being proactively preserved by the BASK Resort development team, who are dedicated to creating this first five-star, sustainable and ecological resort on the island that spares no expense on luxury or style.
Located in the unspoiled Gili Islands of Indonesia neighboring Bali, BASK Resort Gili Meno is a new beach club and resort offering a niche luxury travel experience for well-heeled creative global influencers seeking off-the-beaten-path privacy, and is set to open in early 2016. As the first such property in the region, BASK is being developed at the forefront of international travel trends, resort aesthetics and ecologically minded construction and sustainability by a strong team of industry leaders.
Spearheading creative direction and the development of BASK’s forward-thinking aesthetic is George Gorrow, an award-winning creative director who has worked across the fashion, lifestyle, hospitality and advertising industries for over 20 years. Best known as the co-founder of the designer denim line Ksubi, Technology entrepreneur Greg Meyer is financing the project and multi-award-winning architect Gary Fell has crafted the resort’s exterior design.
Fell first rose to prominence when he was shortlisted for the Cardiff Opera House competition whilst still a student at the prestigious Bartlett School of Architecture in London. This led to work with the Four Seasons Sayan project in Ubud, Bali and onto a number of residential projects in Australia. Fell founded the Bali-based firm Gfab in 1999, specializing in residential and resort projects for which they have won a swag of awards. In 2011, Bloomberg Google named Fell the top architect in the world for a multiple residence development. And in 2015, Gfab operations extended through the Asia Pacific region and beyond, with active projects in Indonesia, Thailand, India, Turkey, Vietnam, Cambodia, Dubai, Hungary and Australia.
Situated on 300 metres of private white-sand beach on the island’s west-facing shore, BASK Gili Meno will feature 82 individual villas, totaling over 120 rooms in studio, loft, two-bedroom and three-bedroom suite layouts. Local fishing villas, with their thatched roofs and bamboo frames, serve as inspiration for the resort’s architectural design. Flat garden roofs, textured concrete, and sleek wooden finishing combine to form an aesthetic that is both contemporary and authentic.
The beach club will be open to guests and non-guests alike, offering panoramic beachfront and lakeside views from its generous infinity pool deck. The indoor cocktail lounge and beach bar will serve locally sourced organic food, including a raw beer that will tempt even the most health-conscious drinker. The restaurant will serve Indonesian-influenced Asian and Western cuisine, designed by Chef Dan Moran of Sydney’s iconic Rockpool Bar and Grill. Australian mixologist Mark Ward of Hugo’s and Regal Rogue Vermouth will concoct his signature cocktails blended with unique local ingredients. In addition, BASK’s spa and wellness center boasts treatment rooms that offer a wide range of services including massage and local therapies. For those interested in more active pursuits, the resort offers diving, golf, surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding and hiking.
Gili Meno resides in the middle of the three Gili islands, located 30 miles off the coast of the Indonesian province Lombok, and is accessible by international airports on Bali and Lombok, followed by a fast-boat ferry or a private speedboat charter. Gili Meno has seen a steady increase in tourists seeking adventure and looking for an idyllic alternative to neighboring, overdeveloped, and heavily trafficked Bali. Local authorities and landowners endeavor to preserve its natural splendor through conservation efforts such as the Gili Eco Trust and maintaining that the island remains free from motorized vehicles. Rich marine life thrives in the clear waters of the surrounding Indian Ocean, providing world-class scuba diving and snorkeling, and the island is the self-proclaimed “turtle capital of the world”, making it perfect for wildlife enthusiasts.
Adhering to BASK’s dedication to sustainable living, the property will feature a recycling program, no-plastic policy, a water treatment plant and composting system. BASK also aims to minimize its ecological footprint through the establishment of a carbon neutral program, preserving the beauty of Gili Meno.
Villa sales will target investment-savvy buyers looking to produce a yield on a rental product in an already-proven solvent and sustainable real estate market. This unique addition to Indonesia’s high-end resort scene provides potential investors a great opportunity to join what will be a premier destination for travelers from across the globe. The 82 individual villas in studio, loft, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom suite layouts span from 59.8 sqm to 356.9 sqm respectively. The open floor plan villas range in price from approximately $222,000 to $900,000.
The island of Gili Meno is located only 700m from Gili Trawangan, an emerging hotspot for young tourists visiting the Gili Islands and neighboring Lombok. Roughly 370,000 tourists visit the Lombok area each year.
Contributed by Paul Johnson
