This past weekend we went to an island called Bintan, Indonesia. Resting in the warm waters of the South China Sea, Bintan is just 55 minute ferry ride from Singapore. The ferry ride itself was a bit choppy at first. The ferry bobbed up and down so much that I thought there would definitely be some motion sickness action happening. Luckily I didn't see anyone grab for their barf bags, conveniently located in the seat back pocket in front of you.
After arriving at Bintan, we were greeted by a friendly staff member of Angsana Resort who escorted us to our air conditioned bus for the transfer to the resort. Then we were whisked off on a short 10-minute ride to the resort, remotely tucked away on the north east corner of the island, and lovely situated right next to the renowned Banyan Tree Resort (we could use all of Banyan Tree's facilities, including restaurants, spa and swimming pools, which was very nice considering that nightly rates there range from US$500-US$700!)
Angsana Resort was pretty nice, but a bit run down for international standards. Spotlessly clean, the rooms are neat and comfortable and very scpacious - we had a 1 bedroom suite with kitchenette overlooking the pool and beach. It also had a balcony that ran the length of the living room and the bedroom with access to it from both. Yet the furniture was a bit scuffed, the drapes a bit frayed and the walls definitely needs a lick of new paint.
The resort is situated in a lush rain forest and the sparkling olympic sized pool with water features definitely made up for everything else. The beach was also very nice with white powdery sand, but unfortuantely, we were there the weekend when the haziness was really ad, due to the fires in Jakarta. We were warned about sand flies on the beach, but luckily the resort offers bug repellant as you walk out onto the beach.
After arriving at Bintan, we were greeted by a friendly staff member of Angsana Resort who escorted us to our air conditioned bus for the transfer to the resort. Then we were whisked off on a short 10-minute ride to the resort, remotely tucked away on the north east corner of the island, and lovely situated right next to the renowned Banyan Tree Resort (we could use all of Banyan Tree's facilities, including restaurants, spa and swimming pools, which was very nice considering that nightly rates there range from US$500-US$700!)
Angsana Resort was pretty nice, but a bit run down for international standards. Spotlessly clean, the rooms are neat and comfortable and very scpacious - we had a 1 bedroom suite with kitchenette overlooking the pool and beach. It also had a balcony that ran the length of the living room and the bedroom with access to it from both. Yet the furniture was a bit scuffed, the drapes a bit frayed and the walls definitely needs a lick of new paint.
The resort is situated in a lush rain forest and the sparkling olympic sized pool with water features definitely made up for everything else. The beach was also very nice with white powdery sand, but unfortuantely, we were there the weekend when the haziness was really ad, due to the fires in Jakarta. We were warned about sand flies on the beach, but luckily the resort offers bug repellant as you walk out onto the beach.
The staff is very very nice - sometimes to the point of making you uncomfortable because they are so apologetic about everything. At the spa, Darin's masseuse started EVERY sentence with "...excuse me sir...". Even if she said two sentences in a row. "excuse me sir, you may sit here, excuse me sir I now wash feet, excuse me sir and then we begin massah". It got a bit annoying.
At this spa, we didn't get any paper panties. No sirreee, they gave us instructions to "take every thing off". During the massage, when they yank open the sheet to reveal your leg, at times I felt a bit, um, exposed due to the lack of the paper panties. It was pretty weird. But the massage was good, though, I almost feel asleep, until the masseuse asked me to turn around. (They also stare at you while you turn around, unline in the US when they turn around while discreetly holding up the sheet).
Ok, I have never had anyone at a spa massage my belly. Much less my chest. But yep, that was part of the massage. It was a bit awkward, but the masseuse was luckily very professional (didn't linger) and obviously does that every day. Weird, how they have no inhibitions in the spa, but topless tanning is prohibited!
Basically, we just relaxed the entire weekend. We would go to breakfast and then immediately after head to the pool to read. At lunch time we'd order a few cocktails and lunch, and in the afternoon we'd nap, go for a walk and read (not all at the same time) till dinner time. It was fabulous!
The Banyan Tree Report next door is very swish compared to Angsana. All the villas are private and tucked away on the lush tropical hills, guaranteeing complete privacy. Their two pools had breath taking views and the last day, Darin and I spent the afternoon lounging on a treetop platform with nobody else around.
Treetop lounging on a double chaise.
I know, we have it real rough out here!
--> View more pictures of Angsana and Banyan Tree (Photoworks will open in new window)
At this spa, we didn't get any paper panties. No sirreee, they gave us instructions to "take every thing off". During the massage, when they yank open the sheet to reveal your leg, at times I felt a bit, um, exposed due to the lack of the paper panties. It was pretty weird. But the massage was good, though, I almost feel asleep, until the masseuse asked me to turn around. (They also stare at you while you turn around, unline in the US when they turn around while discreetly holding up the sheet).
Ok, I have never had anyone at a spa massage my belly. Much less my chest. But yep, that was part of the massage. It was a bit awkward, but the masseuse was luckily very professional (didn't linger) and obviously does that every day. Weird, how they have no inhibitions in the spa, but topless tanning is prohibited!
Basically, we just relaxed the entire weekend. We would go to breakfast and then immediately after head to the pool to read. At lunch time we'd order a few cocktails and lunch, and in the afternoon we'd nap, go for a walk and read (not all at the same time) till dinner time. It was fabulous!
The Banyan Tree Report next door is very swish compared to Angsana. All the villas are private and tucked away on the lush tropical hills, guaranteeing complete privacy. Their two pools had breath taking views and the last day, Darin and I spent the afternoon lounging on a treetop platform with nobody else around.
Treetop lounging on a double chaise.
I know, we have it real rough out here!--> View more pictures of Angsana and Banyan Tree (Photoworks will open in new window)
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