A Peaceful Island Escape
Sometimes, the best getaways are the ones where you do almost nothing at all.
In March 2025, we escaped to The Residence Bintan, a peaceful beachfront resort on the eastern side of Bintan Island, Indonesia. There were no packed itineraries or early morning rushes, just ocean views, gentle sea breezes, good food, and precious time together as a family.
Getting to The Residence Bintan from Singapore
One of the best things about Bintan is how easy it is to reach from Singapore.
- Take a ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore to Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal in Bintan.
- The ferry journey takes about one hour.
- Upon arrival, the resort provides a shuttle transfer, which takes around 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
From leaving home in Singapore to arriving at our villa, the entire journey took only a few hours. For families with children, it is one of the easiest tropical beach getaways you can plan.
First Impressions
The moment we arrived, we noticed how different this resort felt from many beach destinations.
Instead of large hotel blocks, the property is spread across lush tropical grounds. Walking paths wind through dense greenery, and in many places it feels as though nature has been left largely untouched.
The resort blends into the landscape rather than dominating it. The walkways were lined with tropical plants, towering trees, and glimpses of the sea peeking through the foliage.
By evening, soft lights illuminated the pathways and beachfront dining area, creating a peaceful atmosphere that made us want to linger outside a little longer.
Our Villa with a Private Pool
The villa was one of the highlights of our stay. The private pool sat right outside our room, surrounded by greenery that provided plenty of privacy.
The space felt bright and airy, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors bringing the outdoors inside. One feature that immediately caught our daughter’s attention was the large window daybed. It quickly became her favourite spot in the villa. Whether she was reading, watching shows, or simply relaxing with her stuffed toy, that cosy corner was occupied almost the entire trip.
As parents, we loved that simple detail too. Sometimes the most memorable parts of a holiday are not the grand attractions but the small moments when everyone finds their own comfortable place to unwind.
Beautiful Views Around Every Corner
What surprised us most was how photogenic the resort was.
The coastline was lined with tall coconut trees leaning towards the sea, creating the kind of tropical scenery usually found on postcards. The beach itself was quiet and uncrowded. We enjoyed leisurely walks along the shore, especially during the late afternoon when the sunlight reflected across the water.
The sky seemed to put on a different show every day. Some mornings were bright and clear with deep blue skies. Other evenings brought dramatic clouds and soft golden light that transformed the entire coastline.
Even without any planned activities, simply walking around the resort felt enjoyable.
Food and Dining
For our first evening, we dined at Rica Rica Restaurant and were pleasantly surprised by both the food and the warm hospitality. The local dishes were delicious, and breakfast each morning offered plenty of variety, accompanied by beautiful sea views and lush greenery.
One evening, after a day of swimming and exploring the resort, we decided to order room service. The food arrived promptly, and enjoying dinner in the comfort of our villa felt like a little luxury of its own.
Sometimes, the best holiday memories come from simple moments. Sharing a relaxed dinner together without having to leave the room was one of those moments for us.
Whether it was breakfast, dinner at the restaurant, or room service in our villa, every meal at The Residence Bintan added to the experience and made our stay even more enjoyable.
A Resort Made for Slowing Down
The Residence Bintan is not a destination filled with non-stop activities. That is exactly why we liked it. It is a place where you can:
- Spend hours by the pool.
- Walk along quiet beaches.
- Read a book under the shade of palm trees.
- Watch the changing colours of the sky.
- Enjoy uninterrupted family time.
There were moments when we simply sat by the shore listening to the wind moving through the coconut trees. The Residence Bintan gave us the space to enjoy uninterrupted family time.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a short getaway from Singapore that feels genuinely relaxing, the Residence Bintan is worth considering. The journey is easy, the surroundings are beautiful, the villas are comfortable, and the atmosphere encourages you to enjoy the simple things.
For our family, it was about spending time together, watching our daughter claim the window bed as her personal holiday headquarters, enjoying good food delivered to our room, and waking up each day to tropical views just outside our door.
Travel Tip: Stay at least 3 days and 2 nights if possible. The first day disappears quickly with travel, and the Residence Bintan is best enjoyed at a gentle pace rather than squeezed into a rushed overnight trip.
