Hotels in Bintan

Exploring Bintan Island

Bintan Island is rapidly developing as one of Indonesia’s foremost tourism destinations. Visitors come for its combination of great beaches, exotic landscapes, rich heritage and a range of leisure activities that includes high-end golf courses, eco-tours and water sports. Recent improvements to its infrastructure have been: an airport, seafront condominiums, a marina for yachts and more nightlife venues. A wide range of accommodation options is available. With their own ferry terminals for those arriving from Singapore, the exclusive hotels and spas that make up the privately owned Bintan Resorts in the north are probably the best-known places to stay on the island.

Sights nearby

Bintan Island has plenty to offer its visitors. Owing to its strategic position in the Straits of Malacca its capital, Tanjung Pinang, has had a rich and diverse history as one of the region’s most important trading posts. Natural heritage is another big draw on Bintan, while sports and leisure enthusiasts will find plenty to keep them occupied on Bintan Island.

- Tanjung Pinang

Tanjung Pinang, the island’s capital, is small enough that you can easily explore it on foot. For those who wish to stay downtown there are plenty of accommodation options in the proximity of the old harbour. Sites of interest include: a local market held in houses on stilts and a recently built museum with local heritage on view and performances of music and dance from Indonesian folklore. Hotel options here include the four-star Aston Tanjung Pinang Hotel and Conference Center and a three-star choice, the Hotel Bintang Nirwana.

- Sengarang Island

Despite the name this is actually a small town located a little to the north of Tanjung Pinang. It is home to the recently restored Sultan’s Palace and the tombs of local rulers. Further sites include the famous Banyan Tree Temple and the Xuan Tian Shang-di temple.

- Penyengat Island

A mere 15-minute boat ride away from Tanjung Pinang lies the island of Penyengat. In the 1800s it was the seat of government of the Riau-Johor Sultanate and as a result it contains quite a number of historical sites. The Masjid Raya and the monument to Raja Ali Haji which measures 28m in height are the most notable among these.

- Trikora Beach

The area known as Trikora comprises four beaches. It lies on the eastern coast of the island around 45kms to the northeast of Tanjung Pinang. There are some small hotels and a luxury resort, the Sahid Bintan Beach Resort. To experience some beaches a little more off the beaten track, check out those around Sumpat on the northwest coast.

Eating and drinking and shopping nearby

Bintan is well supplied with a wide range of restaurants and eateries which offer Indonesian, Chinese, Indian Western food. Seafood is abundant: look out for local dishes such as chilli crab and drunken prawn as well as

- gong gong

or pearl conch. Popular purchases for visitors are locally made wooden handicrafts. Bintan’s largest malls are Ramayana Mall and Bintan Mall.

Public transport

If you are staying in one of the Bintan resorts in the north of the island and you are arriving from Singapore by ferry, you will be transferred directly from the terminal. Otherwise, shuttle buses are available from the port in Tanjung Pinang for other destinations. Public transport round Bintan consists of buses and mini-buses. Many visitors choose to rent a scooter or car, or use taxis.