Just to warn those of you who may consider being a little more adventurous with your weekend breaks to Bintan. I took up what appeared to be an offer that was too good to be true to Bintan Agro or Bintan Cabana Beach Resort (I chose the latter). It was too good to be true.
The experience is likely to be a major disappointment. Some pointers:
- Uncomfortable and very tired ferry will take 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Tanjung Pinang on the south east side of the island.
- Then, you will face another 1 hour transfer from ferry terminal to hotel.
- 2 to 3 star experience AT BEST.
- Food quality very poor.
- Comfort and amenities poor or non existent. No cafe, no bar, no play area, no fitness, no entertainment of any description.
- Beach and pool quality dreadful.
- Shuttle between sister resorts in that area are infrequent and inconvenient (a 20 min ride between hotels)
- Package deals can look enticing as they can include meals, spa treatments and sea sports. Note that these are NOT run by the resorts, but by the travel agencies. You will be taken to a local, seedy massage joint when you arrive at the ferry terminal and then a deserted kelong restaurant to be fed with tasteless cheap food. For our trip, as we returned to the car after a dreadful lunch, there was a sad little kayak sitting down near the water and we were informed that this was our opportunity for sea sports. An absolute joke.
- Value for money is open for debate. All that I will say is that you get what you pay for. If you are looking for a very cheap getaway, that is exactly what you will experience.
I have lived in the region for 20 years. 13 of those in Singapore, 5 in Indonesia and the remainder in Malaysia and Hong Kong. I am certainly not a newbie, but perhaps a little restless and wanted to explore.
If I was to book again, it would be at Bintan Resorts without a shadow of a doubt. There is no point in wasting your money on such a cheap deal.
Good luck!