Bintan Island,
Indonesia
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Bintan Island is the largest island in the Riau archipelago of Indonesia. The less developed areas of the island are also home to some of the most spectacular and unspoilt beaches in the region. The island is also easily accessible thanks to its proximity to Singapore which is only one hour away by high speed catamaran.
The highly modern hotels found within the Bintan Resorts complex are some of the nicest you will find in South-East Asia. Covering an area of over 300 hectares (740 acres), these hotels are ideally located in the North West of the island and only a stone’s throw from the ferry terminal. Within the complex, the Banyan Tree or the Club Med are arguably the most luxurious hotels on the island. However, we prefer the Mayang Sari Beach Resort with its beach villas, superb value for money and it’s truly stunning location.
Five star luxury comes at a price however… not just for the fare-paying tourist but also for the local population who see little benefit from resort complexes like these except perhaps in the form of employment. Consequently, we would encourage people to venture out into the Indonesian controlled part of the island.
Book an organised tour of the island and try to gain an insight into the local way of life on the island. Stay at one of the smaller, more intimate hotels on Trikora Beach in the western part of the island which is only a 45 minute land transfer from the ferry terminal. In terms of where to stay, the Bintan Spa Villa is our pick of the bunch.