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HOSPITALITY |
Bastions of Bintan’s
Beauty
A little strip of paradise nestled in the South
China Sea that often skips the radar of holidaygoers in Asia is the island of Bintan.
❖ B MANDIRA RAI
Y
T
hose who have been, often take it to be
The Angsana. Both, owned by The Banyan Tree
a part of Singapore, given that the
Group, have changed the way holidays are had
fastest way to get there is a 45-minute
on this island.
ferry ride from the Lion City. The truth be told –
Seekers of all things luxe should head straight
Bintan Island is really a part of Sumatra, Indone-
for the villa-only The Banyan Tree. Raised on
native herbs and spices.
The resort's unique rock-edge pool and private
beach add the perfect finishing touches to those
languid afternoons.
The Banyan Tree abounds in dining options,
sia. To add to the confusion, it is closer to Singa-
stilts and staring at the sea, the villas come with
one better than the other. Saffron, the resort’s
pore than it is to Sumatra.
regal four-poster beds, private pools, bathrooms
signature restaurant offers award-winning Thai
Once it is settled that where Bintan Island is
with sunken baths, pillow menus and all the other
cuisine – undoubtedly the best you will find on
and who it belongs to, let me draw your attention
hedonistic trappings that are synonyms with The
the island. The Cove is where you would go for
to the one property that redefines luxury on this
Banyan Tree.
some delectable Italian and Mediterrean fare
little island. Oops – a little more chaos - there are
Rejuvenation takes a different level at the
and the best pizzas in Bintan. Treetops, which,
two! For those who are beginning to get a tad
iconic Banyan Tree Spa, where therapies feature
as the name suggests, is nestled among tree-
puzzled again, I am talking about The Banyan
traditional Indonesian ingredients such as co-
tops and serves your favourite Indonesian
Tree Resort and Spa, and its friendly neighbour,
conut milk, avocado and scrubs pounded from
dishes.
TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | NOVEMBER 2014
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Of course, nothing tops whizzing up and down
gorgeous – white powder strewn with shells in
The award-winning spa at The Angsana pam-
cliffs in little buggies – another Banyan Tree sig-
varied hues of caramel and warm, shallow wa-
pers tired bodies and souls with freshly com-
nature.
ters that change to a different shade of blue
pounded body treats comprising locally derived
Those with their tots in tow, on the other hand,
every twenty feet out into the ocean. In fact, I am
ingredients, such as the rown sugar milk body
may want to opt for the family friendly Angsana.
going to go out on a limb here and saying that
polish and bengkoang coffee body conditioner
For starters, the chicly furnished rooms in
the beach at The Angsana is perhaps one of the
and is a must-do during your Bintan Island so-
best that I have seen in Asia.
journ.
bright hues of orange will catapult you right into
the island vibe. The Angsana Suites, with their
Head up to the rooftop recreation deck and
The Angsana offers some fantastic dining op-
own sundeck, private gardens, spa baths and
spend hours on an end playing foosball, pool,
tions as well. With sand between your toes and
outdoor showers are sure to set every guest
table tennis, darts, carrom board or board games
crashing waves providing a mesmerizing back-
cheery.
that have all been laid out for you. Those looking
ground score, tuck into freshly grilled meat and
to do nothing but flop into a chair can watch a
seafood at the Pantai (Indonesian for beach) Grill
movie instead.
and Beach Club.
The pool at The Angsana is a clear winner with
families, with a shallow end sectioned off for its
youngest guests. For a sandier option, the re-
For parent’s who are quickly scanning this fea-
sort’s private beach is a few steps away and is
ture, looking for the word ‘kids’ club’, fear not, for
Lotus Café, on the other hand, serves international favourites all day long.
The Angsana has one of those too, and a great
However, what one must not leave the island
one at that. It is decked out like Santa’s grotto,
without experiencing is Destination Dining, a sig-
with stacks of toys, puzzles, board games, art
nature offering that is available on request at
and craft paraphernalia, huge trucks, little kitch-
both The Banyan Tree and The Angsana.
enettes and everything else needed to entertain
the little tykes for hours on end.
You can stay with your cherubs or drop them
off and sneak off to the spa, while the trained
staff engrosses them in one of the many activi-
Choose from one of the many exotic locations
like a traditional fisherman’s boat, large boulders
in the middle of the sea or even the golf course
for a dining experience like no other.
Lovers of the wild should not miss the oppor-
ties like Riau dancing classes, baking, treasure
tunity to go down to the conservation lab shared
hunts, sand castle building and pool games or-
by the two properties and release the hatchlings
ganized for children all day long.
of the hawksbill sea turtle and green sea turtle –
both endangered species.
So next time you are pondering over where
next, think of Bintan – it will not disappoint. Neither will its two crown jewels.
TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY | NOVEMBER 2014