This stunning, secluded resort in Lagoi Bay just a quick boat ride away from Singapore is breathing new life to a tired, rural Bintan. Say hello to your perfect weekend getaway
As much as we love jetting off to an exotic island, time and money aren’t always on our side. There’s just too much work, and airfares can take a big bite out of your (travelling) budget. But in case you’ve forgotten, there’s a whole other world less than an hour away from Singapore.
Meet The Sanchaya. Sitting on Bintan’s (previously) untouched Lagoi Bay, the glorious retreat – also the first luxury property to open on the island in more than 10 years – is a love letter to Southeast Asian heritage and the colonial era. For most part, the architecture (newly-built) is a romantic picture of the bygone colonial times with its classic black-and-white structures. Inside, the resort is peppered with Southeast Asian aesthetics: think Peranakan-inspired tiles, fish-scale-patterned roofs of the Thai villas, Asian-influenced furnishings, and intriguing oriental artworks.
Good looks aside, what makes The Sanchaya count as truly luxurious is its top-notch hospitality worthy of the 1% – and it’s an experience you get the moment you step off the boat. A hotel rep greeted us as soon as we disembarked, took us to a private custom clearance area, and into the hotel’s very own VIP lounge, where we had coffee, tea, and some dried fruit while waiting for our passports to be stamped. Then, we were whisked off in a car to the resort.
There are 21 private villas and nine suites (we were housed at one of the Thai villas); all charming, and every single one ensures an ultra-luxurious stay with plush king-sized beds, walk-in closets, high-end bed and bath linen, Bang & Olufsen televisions and sound systems, iPad minis, and Wi-Fi. More proof of The Sanchaya’s VIP treatment: hotel staff greet guests by name, and turn down your room with hot chocolate and sweets while you’re out having dinner. What’s even sweeter is how they took note of one of our birthdays and presented a cake in the morning at breakfast – without any prior heads-up. How awwww-esome is that?
Everything else you need for a perfect getaway is at your doorstep. The Sanchaya houses two distinct restaurants: The Dining Room, which serves international cuisine and fancy breakfast like a sous vide egg with crab meat, yuzu, hollandaise and toasted sourdough; and Tasanee Grill, which specialises in Thai dishes. Take a dip in the sea-facing infinity pool and marvel at the gorgeous beach view; check into the spa for a pampering sesh; have excellent wine and cheese over great titles at The Salon and Library; then order a cocktail or two at the swanky bar to cap the night. So it’s no surprise that all we did was to simply stay put and do very little – wouldn’t you have done the same?
The Sanchaya Bintan, Jalan Gurindam Duabelas, Plot 5Lagoi Bay, P. Bintan, Kep. Riau, p. (62) 770 692200, e. [email protected].