When we speak of beautiful beaches and islands, Southeast Asia is usually on the list of most foreign tourists. As Malaysians, we are blessed to have so many pristine beaches and islands around us.
In addition to the beautiful beaches in our country, there are also beaches in neighbouring countries. Among the popular nearby beach destinations that often attract our citizens are the beaches in Thailand, such as Phuket and Krabi, as well as Bali and Lombok in Indonesia.
However, many Malaysians are actually unaware of an Indonesian island located near Singapore. The island in question is Bintan Island, which offers a luxury vacation experience for its visitors.
Located in the Indonesian Riau Archipelago province, Bintan Island is only an hour away from Singapore by ferry and is actively promoted by the Indonesian government as an attractive tourist destination after Bali. In fact, there are many ferry options for tourists.
A large number of ferries from Singapore will stop at the Bintan Telani port. This is because all the major hotels and resorts in Bintan are located near this port within the Lagoi area of the island.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, the resorts under The Banyan tree group should be your top choice. This beachfront resort area is perfect for both friends and families. With its stunning beach and ocean views, visitors can engage in various exciting activities.
Cassia Bintan and The Angsana Bintan are two resorts that are very family-friendly. Located right next to each other, these resorts are equipped with a variety of comfortable rooms and apartments overlooking the ocean and gardens where guests can relax to their heart’s content.
For those who enjoy trying delicious food at these hotels, we highly recommend the Mookata style lunch at Cassia Bintan’s Vista outlet. Apart from their delicious a la carte menu, the Mookata set at Cassia Bintan offers various meats and vegetables that can be self-prepared using a hot pot. There is a small market area at the Vista outlet where guests can purchase an assortment of raw food that can be cooked in the kitchens provided in the guest rooms and apartments.
Meanwhile, the Angsana Bintan boasts Lotus which offers a variety of interesting local and international dishes.
However, for a more exciting and a little more adventurous atmosphere, we recommend dining at the Kelong. A fisherman’s platform which is built on the ocean! Guests can enjoy authentic local cuisine under the stars while being attended by their very polite and efficient staff.
The experience is quite unique and definitely worth a try. Guests are first given a welcome drink by the beach and are then taken on a speedboat to the platform which is about a few hundred meters from the beach.
Dinner at the Treetop restaurant of The Banyan Tree Bintan is also quite a fair. Apart from divine dishes prepared by the chef, it is also nicely located high up on the hills giving viewers an amazing view of the ocean.
As with most beachfront accommodations, you can work out at the gym or try the available water sports (such as jet skiing, canoeing and many more). There is also a golf course and special paths for those who enjoy running and exercising.
They also have bird watching and ranger trail sessions for those who wish to explore the flora and fauna found within the vicinity.
If you don’t want to dip your toes in the sea, swim in the available swimming pools while enjoying a drink and savour the amazing vistas around the resort.
Guests can also choose to participate in other activities such as ATV riding, paintball and even archery.
For those who wish for some relaxation and pampering of the mind and body The Banyan Tree Bintan has an array of choices at their spa. Apart from the more common massages, indulge in a sound healing session where guests are given a chance to experience healing using sounds and vibrations.
The experience is conducted by a professional and is truly a rare experience.
In short, this resort is most definitely suitable for a beachside stay. Bintan is indeed an interesting tourist destination that Malaysians should explore if they want a different beach vacation experience from those they frequently visit. It’s about time that we all get our tan in Bintan!
