It's been years since my last trip to Bintan. Previously the cheapest getaway closest to Singapore, a quick and hassle free trip that I used to take before all the low cost carriers came into the scene. Today Bintan is in steep competition with cheap flights to Bangkok, Bali, and Phuket and can no longer compete in the price category.
 |
| Bintan Beach - Banyan Binru |
I have stayed at Manyang Sari, Banyan Binru, Club Med Bintan, Bintan Lagoon Resorts, and I must say that above them I prefer Bintan Lagoon - as it fulfilled most of my criteria for a beach holiday - lots of space to walk on the beach and gardens, decently well maintained hotel rooms, decent meals, and great views of the ocean.
In this recent trip since I was with a large group of 9 that included 2 young kids, we decided to book the Banyan Binru villa as it accommodated such a large group.
We paid about SGD500/night. Expecting a well maintained villa with basic luxuries that included an air conditioned living room, we were sorely mistaken. Even the air con in the bedrooms looked like they needed an overhaul. The Banyan Binru villas must have looked great when it first opened but now it looks its age.
We paid about SGD500/night. Expecting a well maintained villa with basic luxuries that included an air conditioned living room, we were sorely mistaken. Even the air con in the bedrooms looked like they needed an overhaul. The Banyan Binru villas must have looked great when it first opened but now it looks its age.
 |
| Banyan Binru, Bintan compounds |
 |
| Banyan Binru Villa - non-aircon living room |
 |
| Banyan Binru Villa guest room |
The nicest part about the villa must be the beach front view. Basically there is nothing to do at the resort apart from lazing around. Because we stayed in the villa which had no aircon in the living room I decided the next best thing was to escape to the beach and to the cafeteria during the opening hours. A great tip - bring food from Singapore, even have a BBQ so that you can have fun cook out session.
We made a trip out to Pasar Oleh Oleh which is a disappointment because it just consisted of a few souvenir shops and snack shops (where you could get Magnum ice cream, water, and snacks cheaply - look for the Chinese store keeper). We even had to pay $5 for the trip there.
 |
| Pasar Oleh Oleh |
Would I come back to Bintan again? Likely not because there are much better holidays to Bali and Phuket on the same budget. However, I must say that Bintan still holds itself well because it is only a short ferry ride away, and is a great place for families with young kids who don't want the hassle of taking a flight.
