The Residence Bintan by Cenizaro, a secluded haven nestled in Bintan’s south-eastern shore, is a mere 80-minute scenic ride from Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal and is hidden away from the usual Bintan crowds that I usually find on the other side of the popular island.
Reputed to be the only five-star resort in its vicinity, the natural verdant backdrop of The Residence Bintan, combined with its spacious villas, allows guests to relax in luxury and privacy in a peaceful setting, as I happily discovered over a two-day respite from Singapore’s fast-paced lifestyle.
Drawing on the heritage of the area, the luxury resort exudes the peaceful, rural charm and idyllic ambience of a traditional Indonesian village, against sweeping views of the ocean and lush tropical foliage for that soothing connection with nature. Launched in February 2018, the property is home to 127 recently renovated Terraces and Villas set within 70 hectares of lush landscaping and holds the title of having the largest pool villa inventory in all of Bintan.
Designed to tread minimally with a light carbon footprint by embracing the beauty of its natural surroundings, each accommodation type is specially designed to spoil guests with a luxurious sense of space, solace, and panoramic views. Expect stylish interiors amid foliage-rich surroundings for that relaxed, cocooned-in-nature feel, peppered with traditional Indonesian aesthetics and indulgences.
Be it a Beachfront Villa, a Garden Terrace with family-friendly private deck, or a Deluxe Sea View Villa, step through oversized doors to lounge outdoors on a sandy, palm-fringed beachfront or into lush tropical gardens, perfect for soaking up the sun and the peaceful atmosphere. In addition to the direct beach access Beach Villas, I also liked the double-storey Upper Sea View Suite residences set in a quieter part of the resort, which offer a peaceful retreat with sea and garden views, thanks to a large private deck furnished with a hammock – perfect for that much needed lazy indulgence.
Do as much or as little as you will at The Residence Bintan by Cenizaro. Perhaps a choice of pampering massages at The Spa, inspired by natural indigenous and age-old Ayurvedic treatments, combined with modern techniques and Indonesian traditions, all enriched by organic, natural healing products by British spa brand ila. Sign up for a healthy “Farm to Table” gastronomic adventure with the Nusantara Cooking Class, starting by picking your very own organic ingredients from the herb garden and poultry produce, and cooking a few authentic Indonesian dishes with the resort’s chefs.
For something a little more fast paced, Moments Enriched at Cenizaro offer enriching journeys of culture and nature right at your doorstep. Visit historical sites and places of interest thanks to the resort’s location near Tanjung Pinang, the island’s capital. Visit Senggarang Island to see wooden houses on stilts; snorkel at White Sand Island and Mapur Island; book the Market Tour to witness the real Bintan lifestyle; or hop onto the 120-minute Sunset Mangrove Tour for a back-to-nature cruise along the Kawal River through Bintan’s remarkable mangrove ecosystem, finishing with fireflies as the evening strikes.
Back at the property, be inspired as a budding farmer to grow your own produce, with the resort’s newly launched farming eco-cycle, as part of the hotel’s ongoing sustainability efforts. Take a walk through Earth Basket (an initiative across all Residence by Cenizaro properties), a bountiful herb and vegetable garden for fresh, organic produce, and spend some time playing with the resort’s rabbits and chickens.
Finally, from gourmet creations to real comfort food that celebrates tradition with modern interpretations of classics, dining at The Residence Bintan always showcases fresh local produce, including some vegetables grown in the resort’s own gardens. Indulge in the gamut of dining options from all-day Asian comfort food and Western specialties at The Dining Room; authentic Indonesian dishes with recipes steeped in tradition at Rica Rica; cocktails and small bites at The Pool Bar; or a beachside barbecue grill at Rimbun.
For more information, click here. Enjoy 20 percent off with a minimum three-night stay till Dec 22, 2023. Exclusions apply.
A version of this article first appeared in Portfolio.
