Our story

Hani Hideaway was established by a Finnish couple Tiina and Markko, in 2023. Why here, why a hotel? Here’s the story.

2013 on Gili Air

A decade earlier, Tiina and her daughter Siiri had stumbled upon this idyllic retreat and instantly fell under its spell. The crystal-clear waters and the warm local atmosphere impressed both of them.

During their first visit, Tiina and Siiri also forged a friendship with a local girl named Winda. Over the years, they stayed in touch regularly and their connection remained strong.

Already back then, the mother-daughter duo started daydreaming of an escape from the ordinary. As the years rolled by, the notion of owning a small piece of paradise somewhere in the world lingered in their minds. While they didn't fixate on Indonesia specifically, the charm of Gili Air was by no means forgotten.

A transformative holiday

A decade later, Tiina found herself back on Gili Air on a holiday getaway, accompanied by her partner Markko. What was meant to be a simple holiday turned into an unexpected twist of fate – the dream of establishing a boutique hotel began to take shape.

Their aspirations took slightly different paths initially – Tiina envisioned an inviting boutique hotel, a cozy retreat from the world, while Markko gravitated more toward the idea of a beachside bar where he could play his guitar and take it easy. Neither dream had really turned into any concrete plans but had remained as fleeting ideas and casual conversations.

It turned out the universe had its own plans. Reconnecting with Winda felt like bridging the past and the present. Unexpectedly they found themselves sharing a dream of a welcoming sanctuary on Gili Air, and concrete plans started to materialize.

Pieces falling into place

Even Tiina, a self-professed skeptic, couldn't help but notice the pieces falling into place. "It's as if this hotel is meant to be," she would reflect. ”The synchronicity of it all seemed to defy logic and confirmed that sometimes, life has its own way of guiding us.”

United by a shared vision, Tiina and Markko embarked on a journey to create a ’hotel that’s not a hotel’; a haven that would resonate with warmth and comfort. Through dedication and hard work, their dream began to take shape.

The Hani family

Tiina speaks fondly of the feedback that Hani Hideaway has received from guests right from the start: "It's heart-warming to hear our guests share how at home they feel here."

Indeed, a family-like sense of belonging, the spirit of ‘Hani family’ is something that Tiina and Markko would like their guests experience. “It is our big vision, quite frankly”, Tiina says.

Siiri, an integral part of the venture, shares in the joy of running Hani Hideaway with her mother and making it together with Winda and the Hani family team, the warm and inviting place that it is today. Indeed, Winda and her husband Sopian have long called Tiina 'mama' and now Markko 'papa,' further reflecting the spirit of true companionship among the group.

With every passing day, Hani Hideaway stands as a testament to the power of dreams, and the enduring bonds of kindred spirits. Come and witness it for yourself!