Bintan Spa Villa Beach Resort

Located on the remote eastern coast, the Bintan Spa Villa Beach Resort is around an hour’s drive from the pier, but largely considered by past guests as worth the effort for those seeking a quiet escape. Featuring just 31 rooms, visitors are greeted at the on-site restaurant, which doubles as reception. While the property’s rooms and public areas are sparsely decorated, most guests stay at the resort to enjoy one of the suites or villas built directly above water (the rooms are located in a three-story building). Unfortunately, the sea in front of the resort is not swimmable. The resort appeals to couples and families enjoying quick getaways from Singapore.

Bintan Spa Villa Beach Resort is located along Trikora Beach on the secluded eastern coast of Bintan Island. As such, there are not a lot of dining or entertainment options within walking distance of the property. Travelers can take a 55-minute catamaran ride from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bintan’s Bandar Bentan terminal, where hotel staff will pick up guests for a free hour-long drive to the hotel. Alternatively, travelers can fly into Tanjung Pinang, which is just under an hour by car from the resort. 

The simply decorated, basic rooms have wooden furniture, tiled or wooden floors, colorful details such as throw pillows and bed runners, and still art above the beds. Some options feature wallpaper, four-poster beds, and orange settees. Located in a three-story building by a main road, the rooms feature furnished balconies that overlook the garden or sea, which are separated by thatched walls. The pricier suites and villas are built on stilts right above water, and come with private terraces with scenic ocean views. Some have hot tubs or plunge pools. All units come with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars, in-room safes, and flat-screen TVs with movie channels. Bathrooms have either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, as well as hairdryers, toiletries, and wall-mounted soap and shampoo dispensers. Family rooms are available.On the downside, some guests have complained that the bathrooms are a bit rundown and maintenance issues may be present.

The small beach in front of the resort experiences regular low tides, but it's not really swimmable even at high tide due to shallow and somewhat dirty water. On the positive side, during low tide, guests are able to walk out to Meteor Island just in front of the resort. The resort provides special shoes for those wishing to walk on the seabed. Next to the ocean is a swimming pool surrounded by loungers and tables, some under thatched umbrellas. A poolside bar with a karaoke machine is a popular spot, as is a hot tub under a cabana. The all-day beachside restaurant offers Indonesian (the beef rendang gets positive reviews), Chinese, and western dishes, as well as seafood barbecue dishes served right on the beach. Simple breakfasts are included in room rates. There are nightly movie screenings in an area adjacent to the restaurant. Meanwhile, the rustic open-air bar features an adjoining game center with a pool table, dartboard, and foosball. Built above the ocean, the rustic Trikora Spa by the Sea provides various treatments including Javanese massage, body scrubs, and hydrotherapy treatments in an outdoor jacuzzi. There is no gym, however. A small water-sports center offers activities such as snorkeling, fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, scuba diving, and boat mangrove tours. As the sea in front of the resort is shallow, guests are transported by boat to the property’s kelong (an offshore platform) where the activities take place. Most activities come at an extra cost.