Name: The Sanchaya
Address: Jalan Gurindam Duabelas, Plot 5, Sebong Lagoi, Kepulauan Riau, Kepulauan Riau, 29155, Indonesia

The Sanchaya

Bintan Island, Indonesia

The Sanchaya

Bintan Island, Indonesia

About the hotel

Style

Cosmopolitan

Rooms

"A mansion-esque award-winning resort set on a spectacular property, the detail-oriented Sanchaya boasts gorgeous guestrooms, a posh bar and two enticing restaurants, one with a fancy street food menu."

Set on the pretty Indonesian island of Bintan and accessed via a quick ferry ride from a terminal next to Singapore’s airport, The Sanchaya has made its mark on the scene: it was voted as one of Asia’s top 20 resorts by Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Just have your wallet primed and ready while you’re here, as almost nothing is included in your room rate, including the use of a bicycle, should you wish to do some island exploring.

While Bintan is a pretty place, it’s best not to expect paradise island. (The beach gets a hefty dose of seaweed daily, which the hotel regularly clears.) The property is pretty spectacular, however, and you’ll feel like you’re staying in a well-heeled friend’s mansion rather than a resort. Everywhere you look, every last detail has been considered: each vase, book, cushion and quilt has been carefully chosen and placed to create this inviting, homely environment.

The hotel’s footprint is relatively modest: with only 29 keys, two restaurants, a vast pool, a modest spa and, of course, the beachfront, there is a real sense of space and grace with many buildings sporting wide, covered verandahs for long lunches and evening sundowners.
Take those sundowners, perhaps, on the hotel’s verandah, or else luxuriate in a deep leather armchair at The Bar. If you enjoy cheese and wine tastings, then The Decanter, manned by a knowledgeable and heavy-handed sommelier, is the way to go.

There are two restaurants here, the Tasanee Thai Grill and the more formal The Dining Room. To be frank, we have no suggestions for what to order. Absolutely everything on both menus is enticing, beautifully prepared, and graciously served. During the day, you may want to opt for the former, where sharing plates are the norm, and the Bangkok street food menu is decidedly delicious. If you’re in the mood for a quiet evening in, in-villa dining is available around the clock. The Bar offers afternoon tea service, cocktails prepared tableside by an expert mixologist and a selection of shisha pipes and fine cigars, while The Decanter boasts a carefully-curated wine list featuring boutique wineries paired with cheeses selected by the resident fromager.

While you’re here, it will be very, very difficult to distance yourself from the pool or the beach if you enjoy watersports, but if you can, there are local fishing villages and some lovely walks to take around the island. You’ll find resort activities for all ages, from family cooking and archery classes to croquet and kite flying on the beach. Head to the Balinese-style spa for a massage or a manicure. Return to the sanctuary of your gorgeous room, fill the claw-footed bathtub with the decadent Aesop bubbles provided and ask your roommate to make you an espresso with the room’s Malongo machine. Then get ready and go; the night is young.