The perfect Bintan Island escape

Our perfect Bintan island escape ticked all the boxes for a luxurious island getaway to soak up the sun, sea and sand. This tropical Indonesian island (part of the Riau Archipelago) is close to both the major travel hubs of Singapore and Malaysia and it’s easy to hop on a ferry and be in your chosen destination in less than 2 hours. This Indonesian paradise known for its stunning beaches, lush forests and luxurious resorts is an obvious choice for your next island escape, especially if you’re driving from Singapore or Malaysia at home or traveling through one of these places. The island has luxurious resorts, world-class golf courses and a variety of other activities, making it the perfect place for relaxation and adventure. Bintan Island is also rich in history and culture so visitors can also explore local markets, historical sites and enjoy delicious traditional food to enhance their Bintan Island experience.

Tropical beach vibes in Angsana Bintan

The tropical beach vibes at Angsana Bintan abound and we loved our stay at this luxury resort located on a pristine white sand beach and served by the crystal clear waters of the South China Sea. Angsana Bintan is located within the sprawling Laguna Bintan resort and offers guests a tranquil Indonesian island escape. When we weren’t sitting on our balcony or beach with remote beach access, we were enjoying relaxing spa treatments, swimming in the clean, warm ocean or enjoying friendly service from the attentive staff who were always there to help anyway. We enjoyed a long and lazy meal at the all day restaurant, Lotus Cafe and headed to Safroni near Banyan Tree Bintan for some unique and authentic Thai food. Located close to both Singapore and Malaysia, Angsana Bintan offers a convenient and secluded island retreat, perfect for both relaxation and adventure.

World class golf at Laguna Golf

Visitors who choose to play eighteen holes at Laguna Golf will enjoy a world-class golf experience on beautiful Bintan Island. The 18 hole, par 72 championship course was designed by Greg Norman and is renowned for its challenging layout and stunning landscape. We had to navigate fairways and challenging greens, all set against the backdrop of lush rainforest and the sparkling South China Sea. Unique water hazards and well-placed bunkers presented many challenges, as could be the case for players with disabilities. After our round, we enjoyed the luxurious facilities of the clubhouse before heading back in our carriage to our accommodation at nearby Banyan Tree Bintan.

Luxury living at Banyan Tree Bintan

You can expect next-level luxury living at Banyan Tree Bintan, an exclusive resort on the beautiful island of Bintan in Indonesia. Located in the middle of a lush rainforest with stunning views of the South China Sea, this resort has a variety of beautiful villas, each with its own private pool and traditional Indonesian decor. This luxurious escape set amidst pristine natural beauty, delivers on every level. Our spa treatments were luxuriously relaxing, our (vegan) meals were delicious and our beautifully appointed villa was so beautiful we didn’t want to leave. Banyan Tree Bintan combines ideal location with relaxing tranquility, providing a beautiful sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Sustainable tourism in Bintan Island

As tourism grows in Bintan Island, it is important that resorts and hotels operating there, introduce and develop sustainable practices to protect the natural environment that attracts people to visit. From protecting endangered animals and habitats to reducing plastic waste, there are excellent initiatives in place to reduce people’s impact on the environment. Finding a luxury resort in an area of ​​such natural beauty makes living in harmony with nature a must and a stay at Bintan Island can give you a glimpse of the work that goes on behind the scenes. The Laguna Bintan Conservation Team takes care of very special visitors to the beach where a sea turtle nest is discovered. The eggs are carefully monitored and the hatchlings are cared for until they are released at the right time to go to sea in an effort to protect these endangered species. For those interested in sustainable practices for the ‘scenes’ of the resorts they live in, achievements such as the installation of heat pumps in villas or the reduction of single-use plastic through the creation of a water bottling facility will be of interest.

Culinary Adventures at Banyan Tree Bintan

The food during our stay at Banyan Tree Bintan was simply outstanding, we were excited to enjoy our first Indonesian food trip for a few years and we were not disappointed. The excellent chefs at Banyan Tree Bintan served us temeh (our favorite) and tofu in abundance, a selection of fresh and healthy salads, fried noodles, and noodles for our soup; we literally ate our way around Indonesia during our stay. Although we expected all of the above, it certainly exceeded our expectations, and our visit to the Thai restaurant, Saffron once again tickled our taste buds. This was Thai food at its best, prepared by a passionate chef who clearly loves what he does and we love what he does too!

This is our first visit to Bintan Island was our new destination, and it will not be our last. In our short trip we only got to explore a small corner of this tropical Indonesian island, but we just know there is so much more to see. However, we would find it very difficult to go back and not stay at the amazing Banyan Tree Bintan, it was the highlight of our perfect Bintan Island escape.

Paul Eyers

Paul Eyers is the founder of Vegan Food Quest who writes about luxury hotels and resorts in Southeast Asia focusing on sustainable travel, eco travel and vegan travel. Currently based in Malaysia, Paul also writes about sporting events and other top golf courses across the region.