Welcome to my article – “Club Med Bintan- the premium all inclusive family resort”. My recent media trip to the lovely Club Med Bintan reminded me why this renowned vacation lifestyle chain can still command a premium and be a mecca of fun after all these years. Fond memories of my last Club Med holiday in Bali vacation decades ago returned and tell me I just had to include the chain’s various other resorts around the world in my bucket list. Who can resist a resort where everything is taken care of? From meals, activities, transfers to and from the resort, accommodation, and entertainment, everything had been planned for, you just need to bring yourself there.

I like to think of Club Med as a “cruise vacation” on land, with the all-inclusive whole-day dining and drinks (cocktails, beer, etc) that will bring a smile even to those who don’t really engage in their wide range of sports and wellness activities.  And of course, not forgetting the cosmopolitan Gentil Organisateur (G.O.) crew who are central to the Club Med experience. “The G.O. is the ambassador of the Club Med spirit and upholds the company’s values. In addition to their professionalism and know-how is added a way of being, which brings them close to customers and produces moments of happiness, kindness, conviviality, friendliness, and humour.” (Club Med website)

Getting to Club Med Bintan

Accessibility to this idyllic resort situated at Lagoi Bay, on Bintan Island couldn’t be easier. A quick 45min ferry from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT) plus a 15-minute land transfer from the Bandar Bintan Telani (BBT) ferry terminal whisk you from urban Singapore to the relaxing holiday of sun, sand, and sea. There are five daily ferry departures on weekdays and seven on weekends and public holidays. More details can be referred here.

The resort

The Lagoi Beach at Club Med Bintan is a private beach, accessible only by the resort guests. The beach sand was powdery soft and I am glad I did not encounter any sandflies issue. The breezy beach is the perfect chillout place with sundeck cabanas looking out to the idyllic South China Sea.

Just you, the sun, sand, and sea. There is no worries about being accosted by beach hawkers peddling souvenirs as in other public beaches elsewhere. But the Lagoi Beach can be choppy and strong during the year-end monsoons. So swimming, snorkeling, stand-up paddle, and kayaking are suspended but activities like Hobie-cat sailing can be arranged.

The accommodation

The resort has various types of rooms. But the cosy sea-facing deluxe rooms, like the one above, should please all her occupants. Wall-mounted LCD TV, plush bed, balcony, day bed, and writing table make the stay enjoyable. WiFi speed can be rather slow in some areas but it’s a crime to nitpick. It’s a vacation!  The complimentary drinks in the mini-bar made me smile but my thirst have been quenched by beverages and cocktails around the resort, all included in the package.

The bathroom does not come with a bathtub (only the two suites in the resort have it) but has a nice shower faucet with good water pressure and double sinks. The WC is separated from the bathroom for better functionality. Overall, the washroom is well laid out and satisfyingly equipped.

Dining at the resort

At the newly renovated Waterfall Restaurant (international buffet), the pastel white and green colour scheme is soothing with ample seats and tables. Refurbishment as this spacious dining hall was just completed days prior and soft-furnishings were not even installed yet. But it did not affect the dining experience and beer lovers will be pleased to know they can help themselves to the golden liquid and other drinks at the beverages counter, with compliments of course. Only when you order champagne and other more expensive wines do you pay extra.

The “buffet” dishes counters at the restaurant are arranged in individual kiosks. The chef in charge of that dish will be most delighted to prepare and plate his or her culinary creation for you. The portions are in fine-dining size, encouraging you to explore and experience more dishes from other ethnic stations like Korean, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, etc. I like that Club Med coined it as “healthy eating”. But still, I end up getting totally full as the dishes are just so beautifully done.

Home-made Japanese tofu with spicy dressing for you? Vegans are well taken care of at Club Med. As are meat-eaters.

My favourite Indian dish is Roti with fish curry for breakfast. Everyone has their comfort food. This one is mine.

Another of my breakfast comfort food is Chinese porridge. Warms up the stomach for a great start to the day. One helping is never quite enough.

Fine-dining restaurant, The Terrasse, serves a la carte lunch and dinner on reservation only. Guests are asked during breakfast session if they would like to dine at this romantic diner located close to the beach. The dinner main course is chosen at the time of reservation so diners need just show up at meal time and be treated to a meal cooked ala minute in a cosy ambience.

Service staff goes around with a mini portable lamp attached to the menu for guests to read and choose their entrees in the dim setting. Salad and fruits bar are also set up although the set meal by itself is already sufficient.

After a nice dinner, guests can choose to attend G.O organised parties or chill out at one of several watering holes around the resort. We checked out the Matahari beachside bar for cocktails and certainly loved the cosy seaside ambience. It helped that all drinks- cocktails, mocktails, or whatever is available are complimentary too.

Post dinner cocktails anyone? How about a Brandy Alexander or Grasshopper? on the house, of course.

Some of the resort recreation areas

The recently renovated swimming pool with light emerald blue tiles, made the pool look bigger than the previous dark blue tiles.

Family and friends enjoying the pool. Shortly after I shot this picture, the pool water aerobics session commenced. The pool area is usually the hub of activities in most resorts. But at Club Med, there are many hubs of activities which goes around the resort, catering to both kids and adults.

One wonders why the pool is not crowded even with such lovely weather. But with so many activities spread out across the resort, everyone is having fun all over and not confined to the pool. The lifeguard at the pool is certainly in relaxed mode.

Club Med evening entertainment centre. In the evening, the talented side of the Gentil Organisateurs are displayed right here as they go about entertaining guests with fun activities after dinner. Everyone is invited!

Outdoor sports activities

The unmistakable logo and symbol of fun. Everyone who loves travel will recognise the Trident.

The resort sea sports staff getting ready the Hobie-cats for sailing lessons. Each ride around Lagoi Bay takes about 15-20 minutes.

Harnessing nature’s gift. Sailing in the windy bay is a low-carbon footprint activity very much in sync with the club’s eco-friendly stance.

Feel the wind in your hair as you sail around Lagoi Bay. Each Hobie Cat can accommodate about 4 sailors plus 1 crew comfortably.

Safety is paramount at the beach. The resort stationed lifeguards and gears to ensure beach users are in good hands.

Children having fun and learning confidence at the “Flying Trapeze School”. The GOs are specially trained in each of the activities they are in charge of. There’s even a drinking water dispenser right at the activity shelter to ensure everyone stays hydrated.

Always a popular activity, archery at the shooting range attracts a constant stream of guests. Guests are not limited on how long they can play robin hood. But activity times are separated between children and adults, so do check out the events schedule at resort lobby level one near the 24-hour Santai Bar.

Learning to stay focused and patient are two virtues of archery. And it’s good to start young.

Enjoy and feel achievement. That’s what makes archery such a sweet sport. Pardon the pun.

Spa experience by Asmara Lifestyle.

Wellness treatment at the resort. This is one of the activities that is not included in the all-inclusive vacation package at Club Med. The spa operation is operated by Asmara Lifestyle.

Holistic wellness products for purchase at the spa boutique.

The treatment rooms are nestled among the bay floral and fauna. Totally peaceful and tranquil setting.

The spa treatment room. The awesome view alone makes the wellness session a memorable occasion.

Nature at the resort

Local “resident” butterfly at the resort compound. Photographers who love shooting nature pictures will enjoy the opportunities the resort present.

One of several squirrels by the archery shooting range. Watching the wildlife at the resort is another great bonus.

A sweet farewell by the GO.

Every arrival and departure to the resort is a heartwarming experience. The GOs lined the resort lobby and driveway, even with bottled water, so that every guest is fully taken care of. From the minute you stepped into the resort, till you leave. That’s the Club Med style.

Till the next time. We will miss the Club Med experience and be back for more. Thank you for reading my article on “Club Med Bintan- the premium all-inclusive family resort”

P.S. – All pictures used in this blog is copyrighted to Jensen Chua Photography and all rights reserved.