We have come to the final post of my recent visit to Bintan Island and I guess writing a review for the resort i stayed in for four days, three nights would nicely wrap up this trip taken in February!
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Let's start with the very beginning; taking the ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. This would not have generated much interest from many of you except the following; Bintan Lagoon resort has its very own ferry terminal!!
Tickets can be purchased via https://www.journeyful.com/. The fully air-conditioned vessel for embarkation was Queen Star 1 which was able to seat two hundred passengers.
Snacks and drinks were available for purchase. For those prone to motion sickness, you would not find any sour plums or fisherman's friends for sale.
Journey from Singapore to Bintan Island - a dizzying eighty five minutes! Just when i thought i was going to purge out my lunch, the sight of the breakwater was comforting enough for me to hold back everything!
The great view that greeted us upon our arrival. For a person who has been to Krabi, this was seriously nothing to scream about. However, the period i went was the monsoon season and it was said that the beaches in Bintan were powdery, sandy and white in other seasons.
Immigration was the usual; i was half expecting hassle-free clearance since this terminal caters mainly to customers of Bintan Lagoon resort but it was not to be.
From where i stood (which was right outside the ferry terminal), i can already see the main resort buildings, including its two hotel wings and main lobby! From some online reviews, i was led to believe i had to walk quite a bit to reach the lobby.
Lazy to walk under the hot sun? Fret not, you can choose to ride the shuttle bus to the main lobby. All my family members chose the option except for me. Tsk tsk tsk.
Walking is healthier what! Follow the yellow arrows and you would reach the lobby in just five minutes! The shuttle actually took longer since it would start its journey when most seats are filled up.
The spacious, airy lobby! Kindly note that all pictures were taking over a four days period and i would use them interchangeably in this entry without taking into consideration the chronology factor.
There is an advantage to taking the shuttle - an Indonesian dance and musical performance awaits you while you alight from the bus while eco 'walkers' like me wonder what the hell was all that ruckus!!
I almost forgot to mention about the checked in luggage; they will be brought to the lobby and you may then collect them once you have completed your villa or room check in.
Jovyn was enjoying herself as it was her first overseas trip and there were so much to see!
The Chinese New Year festive atmosphere can also be felt in the resort and this was nothing surprising given that the main bulk of business comes from Singapore.
View of the breathtaking South China Sea from the main lobby.
One of two swimming pools in the resort. In the past, i could not understand why beach resorts have to build a separate swimming pool when there is a beach so close by! Now, i am thankful some of them choose to do so as the beach can be so dangerous for young children!
Free wifi only in the lobby! If you die-die have to do a constant check on your facebook, twitter and email, you could 'purchase' dedicated wifi at the business centre. The rates as follows: S$8.55 for an hour, S$19.55 for a day and S$95 for a week.
Limited shopping was available at the lobby, especially for those who require extra beachwear, swimming googles, polo brand attire, sand castle kits, souvenirs and even kopi luwak!
Snacks, water, sunblock lotions, sweets, chocolates can be bought via the two mini-marts in the resort. For me, i would strongly suggest you pay the local market a visit to make your purchases. For details, please click here.
I am not going to touch on accommodation here as i have already covered the villa in a separate entry. Should you be keen to book for a Bintan Lagoon resort's villa and are not sure what to expect, please click here. Kindly note that there are hotel rooms (two blocks of them) as well although i am not in a position to write a review for the rooms since i did not actually stay in one.
As i mentioned before, Bintan Lagoon resort is humongous and the usage of a buggy can be extremely helpful in saving some time, especially for villa dwellers!
Leisure Centre - as the name suggests, this would be the place with loads of activities and most of them come with a nominal price, obviously. Let me try to list them down, starting with the free ones.
Gymnasium that had my younger sister as its longest staying visitor for the four days! It was my first visit to a gym and i must say i am really tempted to sign up for a gym membership after that; it was clean and there were so many equipment targeting different parts of the body!
The smaller of the two resort pools and the one nearest to the villas; this one came with slides for children (Jerald loved it)! Now coming to the more somber section on chargeable activities.
Water walking balls - fans of running man would recognise them from the episode featuring a South Korean Olympic swimmer as the guest and remember how hard it was to walk in the plastic ball.
Renting a bicycle; besides the pedal type (S$6 an hour), you can also opt for the electric bike (S$10 an hour). Have i mentioned that everything in the resort is in Singapore dollars instead of Indonesian rupiah?
Laser Quest at S$11 per person. This was so much fun even though my eventual score was a pathetic 16 points! For comparison purpose, my brother in law had on his score sheet 200 over points! :(
Pool and billiard (S$8.80 an hour)! I had a happy time thrashing the rest over pool; an appropriate revenge after the humiliating defeat in laser quest.
Other activities and their operation hours can be found in the first picture. The exciting All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) guide tour would understandably be conducted outdoors.
Archery would take place further away at the Golf Club House. We actually wanted to participate in this activity but missed all the designated timings (there are only three sessions a day)!
That's not all; there are also badminton court, basketball court, tennis court, volleyball court and futsal court for large groups who would like to sweat it out.
Golf enthusiasts would of course know that there are two world renowned 18-hole golf courses in Bintan Lagoon resort! As a person who doesn't understand golf except for "try to hit the ball into the hole", i am reserving my comment in case i embarrass myself further.
Next destination: the beach!
The waves were too strong (typical of the monsoon season) and the best one can do was to lie on the deck chairs and tan their skins. Upmarket beach front dining can be have had at this 3 Degrees Signature Restaurant housed in a modernistic glass building.
This spot would be perfect for a bridal shoot.
My left side, where the ferry terminal stands, as i set foot onto the beach.
Right side which appeared to have a mysterious mist falling over it. The weather was okay yet i could count no more than five persons on this private beach.
Reasons for the lack of human activity; no life guard was on duty and the planting of red flags (signalling that no swimming is allowed due to strong current) on the ground!
Seasports Counter - it was closed during monsoon season as it was almost impossible to organise any sea sport activities in a rainy, windy environment typical of the season
For the benefit of those would be holidaying in Bintan starting from March, i bet you would love to know the price list for the various sea sports activities offered in the resort; like snorkeling! Note, prices are subject to change.
I saw an attraction tagged as "Nature Walk" on the resort's map and decided to take a nice stroll there on my last day. As luck had it, it was sadly closed for upgrading!! :(
Nevertheless, i managed to chance upon a marvelous work of nature; red ants' nest!
A photograph of the pool with the main lobby as its backdrop.
Time to go home! This time round, the whole family walked to the ferry terminal (as shown in the picture) instead of waiting for the shuttle bus! They agreed it was not as far and as difficult as they originally thought!
Jovyn taking a nap while the ferry bobbed up and down in rocky waters.
In all, i totally enjoyed myself in the resort and could hardly wait to be back again (especially to partake in seasport activities)! In fact, i have requested my brother in law and elder sister to book for another corporate villa in the next few months!
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Website
[Select Bintan Lagoon Resort]
Resort Map
As above
Map of Bintan Resorts Zone
As above [Pasar Oleh Oleh and Kampong Lagoi are located in the area of Kota Sebung]
Additional Information
Prefer to get out of the resort and explore the island at own time, own target? Check out the rates to rent a car with a personal driver. Alternatively, you may also check out my entry here.
Those who like to have a more structured itinerary should consider the excursions and local tours offered by the "activities desk" at the resort's lobby.