| T Siew luan |
05 December 2004 |
Stayed at Mana Mana Beach Club - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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Seasports lovers not recommended during December time due to the Monsoon season. Travel round by bus to Oleh Oleh is cheap though the things there are expensive, but food is Ok with not much to choose from. Kelong at Sebong was good especially the Pepper crabs. Going round on the Buddy car on your own was nice but the rate very expensive.
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| S Moffitt |
15 October 2004 |
Stayed at Bintan Lagoon Resort - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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Bintan is a great location, as it is within easy reach of Singapore (1hr), yet resorts did not give us the impression of being crowded (We sayed through the week, and assume that weekenders flood in over the weekends). Transfers were easy despite having to get a visa to enter Indonesia at the border. Would suggest that you have correct money to buy visa (US25) ready when you arrive on the island.
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| S Carney |
16 September 2004 |
Stayed at Nirwana Resort Hotel - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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We spent a day heading doing a loop around the island. Tikora Beach is beautiful on the weekdays with no crowds and locals very friendly. Also stopped at many fishing villages along the way to wander around and talk to the locals.
From Tanjung Pinang head over to Senggarang for a look at the old temples.
Be careful heading over to Penyengat. Locals aren't very nice to westerners at the moment (we arrived just after the jakarta Aust embassy bombing). A shame as it is a beautiful area with some very old royal remains if you like history. The island is muslim so dress to their standards to minimise the awkwardness (cover as much skin as possible is the quick solution).
If you're not travelling back to singapore get the taxi to Batu66 and then get local transport (taxi or bus) to where you want to be.
The taxi to Tanjung Uban is S$32 while the public transport was equivalent to $2. It takes a little longer but you definately see and experience more.
When we had exceptional service we found it best to ask if it would offend to offer a tip and the reason. Most would accept and it made it clear it wasn't a bribe or charity.
Try to learn some indonesian as this makes life a lot easier (at least take a phrase book along).
Remember basic personal security as wages are low and unemployment high so, as in every country there is the opportunist trying to pickpocket etc. Let common sense prevail.
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| J Jenkins |
11 August 2004 |
Stayed at Banyu Biru Villas - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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The villas (Banyu Biru) are within easy walking distance of the main hotel (Nirwana) which has restaurants and another beautiful pool. A short distance further you can reach Mana Mana beach from where you can organise watersports. All are in the same complex, so you can sign for meals and activities. (No cash needed). From Nirwana - shuttle buses are arranged to various restaurants -including a seafood one on stilts which has great food and is spectacular at sunset as it is built over the sea. You can also take a regular shuttle bus to a nearby shopping village to pick up souvenirs.
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| N Manji |
23 March 2004 |
Stayed at Bintan Lagoon Resort - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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The ferry ride from Singapore was approx. 60min and a very causal ride. We were met on the other side by Bintan Lagoon hosts and were taken to the hotel. There is not much else to see on the island. We took a tour of a small village 45min from the resort and the kids enjoyed a view of village living and shopping.
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| J Rivera |
29 June 2003 |
Stayed at Banyan Tree Bintan - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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We spent the entire weekend relaxing in the resort and did not travel around Bintan but from what we saw on the way in and out, there is not much to do in Bintan except golf and beach.
We took the ferry from Singapore... pretty much the only complaint for the whole weekend was the mad dash for the ferry conducted by people which left a bad taste in the mouth (nothing as sad as watching people lose all sense of common decency for seats... of which there were plenty).
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| E Musegaas |
25 December 2002 |
Stayed at Mayang Sari Beach Resort - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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Beautiful resort. However if you like to see something of the island you have take 3 different public buses to get to town, it takes about 1½ hours. The hotel doesn't provide a simple transfer to town like most (luxury) hotels around the world do.
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| S Szymanski |
29 September 2002 |
Stayed at Banyan Tree Bintan - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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The Kelong Restaurant about 10 minutes away is good value and relaxed ambiance.
The Bintan Island ferry service should add a few more ferries to the weekend schedule. Getting a ferry reservation at my desired time was quite difficult, and resulted in a lot of waiting around, both to check into the hotel and when departing Bintan.
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| H Tamano |
20 August 2002 |
Stayed at Banyan Tree Bintan - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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The ferry of return was not reserved. Since reservation of a ship was not able to be taken, the tour of a schedule was canceled.
The man of a hotel was also sorry about having not taught.(I wanted us to suggest a hotel to a slight degree.)
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| Y Reiko |
02 August 2002 |
Stayed at Angsana Resort & Spa Bintan Island - Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore.
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It was serious to have gone to going to the destination by "ferry." But the Nature of a "detached island" has been fully enjoyed by the favor.
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Traveller's Tales: Getting around in Bintan Island (Indonesia), Singapore
