BINTAN Island is not as well known here as in Singapore, where it is less than an hour away by ferry.
Also known as Negeri Segantang Lada, Bintan is an island in the Riau archipelago of Indonesia.
SOLO-JOURNEY
I checked the Internet to find a reliable resort and found Club Med Bintan Island, named as one of theTop Resorts for Families in Asia!
New to the Club Med experience, I am eager to find out more about of this upscale, all-inclusive retreat. So I book a 4D/3N stay.
Booking direct is easy. You can select a package that includes ferry transport to and from Singapore. You can also add on spa and excursion packages. All I need to do next is to buy a return ticket from Kuala Lumpur and I am good to go.
Upon arriving at Changi Airport, I take a taxi to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, which takes 10 minutes. The fare is S$11 (RM33).
The Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is capacious and conducive. At the check-in counter, you can buy or collect your ferry tickets and drop off luggage. There are convenient stores, F&B outlets and seats. There’s free Internet access too.
At 11.30am sharp, all passengers are called to board the ferry which will sail at noon. We have to go through immigration and security checks before we board Wan Seri Beni.
The one-hour ferry ride is enjoyable. It is free seating and the seats are very comfortable, complete with a safety belt. The boat is fully air-conditioned.
We arrive at Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal on time, which is noon according to local Bintan Island time.
After I collect my luggage, I immediately go to the Club Med Bintan Island counter to check in.
Since everything has been paid online, all I have to do is sign a check-in form and receive my room key. Then, I am ushered to the transport for a 15-minute ride to the resort.
Along the way, I see jungles and a few other resorts but no village or town. My driver tells me the place is a resort complex and the nearest city is the capital, Tanjung Pinang, 1.5 hours from Club Med.
DELUXE LIFE
Upon my arrival, I am greeted with claps, cheers, and friendly smiles from more than 10 Gentil Organisateurs (or GOs). It’s heart-warming!
Two GOs, Sam and Ade, accompany me to my deluxe room and brief me about the resort, showing some of the activity areas.
The resort is massive, set in a 5 sq km tropical park surrounded by lush greenery and a private beach. There are 311 rooms, with the selection of superior, deluxe and suite.
My deluxe room is spacious and it has a spectacular view of the ocean from the balcony, and the trapeze. The layout is chic and modern but with warm touches of wood in the furnishings.
There’s a TV, ironing kit, complimentary WiFi, tea/coffee making facilities as well as a separate bathroom and toilet.
Sam says the resort attracts family rather than solo travellers. However, she ensures me that I will not be lonely as there will be many GOs to assist and accompany me throughout the stay. What a relief.
SEA VENTURE
When in Club Med, you can either do everything or nothing. There are plenty of activities on site, water sports, recreational games and many more, and most activities are included in the package price. Kids below 4 stay for free and the kids club are available at no extra cost.
Since I have spent my first day relaxing on the beach, reading and waiting for the sunset and making activity plans for my stay, I decide to go snorkelling the next day.
After breakfast, I stroll towards the snorkelling booth. There are two trips daily, at 10am and 3pm. Reservation is an hour before and is based on first-come-first-serve basis. You will be offered snorkelling gear, goggles and a pair of fins.
At 10am, we board the speedboat which takes a maximum of 20. The snorkelling spot is not very far from the resort, about five minutes. We have at least an hour to swim with the fish.
Don’t expect clear water and lots of fish here, but the coral garden is in reasonable shape and I can spot a number of colourful fish including a couple of baby clownfish and butterfly fish.
Besides snorkelling, there’s windsurfing, sailing and kayaking. However, you are required to know how to swim without the help of life jacket if you want to try water sports.
KEEPING FIT
If you’re not into water sports, there are other activities. I like to keep myself fit by doing Power Yoga every morning at 8am.
Instructor Delia teaches us basic yoga techniques such as breathing and some easy poses.
Power Yoga takes about an hour. There is also an evening Zen Yoga conducted at the zen area under a tree.
For those who enjoy walking, gather at the reception area at 9am to join the Power Walk, also conducted by Delia.
It is a four kilometre walk at a very slow and relaxing pace of 1 and a half hours. However, I would not recommend children tagging along.
Other workouts include cardio workout, zumba, aqua gym at the pool and Pilates.
There is also archery school, gold school, mountain biking and even flying trapeze.
NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT
Night entertainment shows are held at the theatre and choreographed and performed by the GOs.
Every night has a different theme, such as Bollywood, Casting Shows, Pool Circus, Rising Stars and Sports Comedy Show.
I watch the Bollywood, Casting Shows and also Indonesian Show which is very entertaining with a mix of music, dances, comedy and drama.
Of the three, I enjoy the Indonesian Show the most. It has beautiful and graceful dance moves and there are fireworks at the end of the show.
SPA INDULGENCE
No island retreat is complete without a spa indulgence, so I book a 90-minute massage.
Therapist Mila serves me lemongrass tea and offers a wet towel before ushering me to the treatment room through serene zen garden.
I am already feeling relaxed just looking at the view.
Inside the treatment room is a stunning view of the dark blue sea. Although the room has a modern concept, the warmth tones of cream and wood are relaxing.
Mila gives me a soothing foot scrub using a mineral scrub before the intense massage using aromatic oil. I relax and loosen up after the treatment. The treatment ends with a cup of Asmara herbal tea, which is a traditional blend of cinnamon, clove and ginger to improve blood circulation, aid digestion and give a sense of calm and peace to the mind and body.
Spa treatments start at RM350.
EAT TILL YOU DROP
The best part about Club Med is that F&B is inclusive and you get to feast like kings and queens.
The resort has two restaurants. The Terrasse Restaurant at the water edge provides a breathtaking view of the sea. This intimate restaurant serves a light late breakfast from 10am to 11am, late a la carte lunch at 2pm till 5.30pm, and dinner.
I dine at The Terrasse, accompanied by Sam. The four-course dinner comprises two choices and the menu is rotated daily.
I recommend the spicy tomyam seafood soup and sushi plate for starters, French fillet with fettucine and morel sauce and end it with a delicious caramelised peach sable.
The Waterfall Restaurants is my favourite. Located on level two of the main building, it serves all-day buffet dining with a wide selection of international and local cuisine.
The restaurant is very spacious while the buffet counter has an open kitchen concept offering Italian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Western or local.
Pork is also served but the Muslim chef assures me that the meat and cooking utensils are clean and halal.
In between meals, you can hang out at the bar for light snacks and free flow of drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). There are a few bars including Santai Bar on the first floor of the main building, the Bagus Nightclub, Panorama Bar at The Terasse as well as the beachside Matahari Bar.