Angsana Bintan

Angsana Bintan sits along a private beach that it shares with its more luxe sister property, Banyan Tree Bintan. Families and couples from Singapore often come here due to its easy ferry access, and the property has an array of features catered to those seeking peaceful relaxation or more active fun. Public areas here are dated and a bit bland -- think earth-tone decor -- though not unattractive, thanks to Indonesian accents and floor-to-ceiling windows that keep things bright. Well-manicured gardens wrap around a large pool, lily ponds, and four-story buildings with green roofs. The atmosphere is largely peaceful on-site, particularly as many guests opt to do excursions.

The resort is set on a private beach on the northern coast of Bintan Island. While the resort is a short drive from the Bintan Island Elephant Park and Pasar Oleh Oleh Market, the only other restaurant options within walking distance are at the nearby Banyan Tree Bintan. Bintan Island can be reached via a 45-minute ferry ride from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, and it's a 10-minute drive from the ferry terminal to Angsana Bintan. Alternatively, travelers can fly into Tanjung Pinang, which is about 90 minutes by car from the property.

There are 113 rooms and suites here, all outfitted in a cheerful design of orange accent walls, simple wood or more decorative white-painted furniture, tile floors, and seating areas with burnt-orange or gray linens. Some add a gallery wall of mirrors or tree branch art above beds. All have sliding glass doors opening to furnished balconies or terraces with view of either the sea, garden, or pool. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, fans, small flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, safes, and free, but often spotty, Wi-Fi. Gray-tiled bathrooms with orange accent walls could use a refresh, but they're clean, equipped with shower/tub combos, as well as hairdryers, bathrobes, and slippers, plus an array of toiletries in cute orange patterned bags. Island Suites offer separate living and dining areas, microwaves, and two balconies, while the ground-floor Family Suites feature separate living and dining areas, two bedrooms, and wooden decks with hot tubs, loungers, and tables and chairs. 

A big draw to Angsana Bintan is its private stretch of white sand, which is often lovely, but at other times can suffer from black tar due to oil spills in the ocean. When this happens, most guests make use of the large, ocean-view swimming pool, complete with decorative fountains, cushioned loungers, and umbrellas. For further relaxation, a simple but pleasant spa with blue and pink decor has treatment rooms for couples. A sufficiently equipped gym is in this area, and a rooftop recreation deck has foosball, table tennis, billiards, darts, and board games. Dining options are limited in the area, so most guests eat at the restaurants on-site or at the next-door Banyan Tree. The all-day option here is Lotus Cafe, which serves Southeast Asian, Indonesian, and international dishes, including daily buffet breakfasts with some a la carte choices. The split-level Veranda Lobby Lounge offers coffee, tea, and cocktails, while the appropriately named Pantai Grill and Beach Bar -- "pantai" means beach in Indonesian -- serves grilled seafood and meats for lunches and dinners right along the sandy coastline. The restaurant hosts popular weekly Saturday night barbecues with a live band. For something more private, the resort offers Destination Dining with options including eating on a traditional fishing boat, golf course, beach, and even a rock formation. Unfortunately, food receives mixed reviews, with many guests complaining of mediocre quality for its price.The resort offers a range of activities including Bintan nature walks, mangrove tours, coral planting, yoga, guided bicycle tours, and quad biking, as well as water sports such as snorkeling and kayaking. A free kids’ club offers toys and organized activities such as castle building, treasure hunts, and t-shirt paining. For corporate events, the resort offers boardroom-style meeting facilities for up to 200 guests.