The Riau islands are an archipelago of more than three thousand islands where our curated Riau Islands boutique hotels and resorts offer secluded retreats where the Indian Ocean meets the South China Sea. The calm shallow waters have provided safe harbors for traders and pirates for millennia and are now opening as havens for travelers seeking an escape from the bustle of the Malay mainland, Singapore, and the larger Indonesian islands. The luxury resorts, golf courses, and stunning Lagoi Beach and the other white sandy beaches of the north coast of the island of Bintan are just a short ferry trip, and even shorter flight, away from Singapore, as is the shopping and nightlife of neighboring Batam. Other islands popular with Singaporean locals and international travelers looking for Riau islands all-inclusive resorts include, Sugi with its neighbouring Telunas Private Island located just off Sugi’s south-west coast, Moro, Kundur Natuna, and Anambas.

The larger Riau islands resorts, with their bustling urban centers, offer upscale accommodation, a variety of entertainments, and a vibrant nightlife whereas those heading for the smaller islands will discover a more boutique vibe geared to relaxing days on the beach, strolls along the shore, and cocktails at sunset. Many of Riau island's all-inclusive resorts are passionate about protecting and nurturing the ecosystem following years of overdevelopment, destructive palm oil production, water contamination, and plastic pollution. Conservation initiatives include zero-waste programs, the banning of plastics, and a dedication to creating renewable energy as well as creating mouthwatering menus from locally grown seasonal ingredients. Riau Islands hotels curated by Secret Retreats are dedicated to providing outstanding natural environments for their guests while ensuring eco-friendly best practices and support for the local community. Riau Islands hotels enjoy a comfortable tropical climate all year round with temperatures usually hovering between 26-30 C. The wet season lasts from September to March and the dry season, the best time for booking Riau Islands resorts, is from April to October. The lower humidity during these months makes it the ideal time to visit if you are planning outdoor activities on the beaches, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, or island hopping. The Riau Islands make for a great choice to relax and enjoy some beach time after an adventurous Indonesian travel itinerary on Java, Sumatra or Borneo.

Hotels in Bintan Riau Islands:

Telunas Private Island
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Telunas Private Island


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Sustainable Luxury at Riau Islands Resort Bawah Reserve Hop on a ferry or amphibious airplane for the trip to Bawah, a secluded island in the Anambas archipelago halfway between Singapore and Great Natuna Island. Of the six islands in the small archipelago, Bawah is the largest. Owner of the luxury Riau Islands resort, Bawah Reserve, and patron of the Anambas Foundation, Tim Hartnoll, discovered the island on a sailing trip to the archipelago and decided it would make the perfect location for a Riau Islands resort dedicated to preserving the pristine natural environment and developing sustainable practices with the local community. The Bawah Reserve luxury eco-resort was created without the use of heavy machinery to avoid disturbing the natural surroundings and a marine reserve has been created where dynamite fishing has been eradicated and waste removal schemes implemented to keep the beaches and surrounding ocean free of harmful rubbish.

Visitors are invited to stay in the Riau islands' overwater bungalows with large private verandas and easy access to crystal-clear lagoons with vibrant corals, and an abundance of marine life. Sim Boon Yang, the celebrated Singaporean designer, was put in charge of overseeing the Riau Islands resort development and utilized recycled materials such as copper, teak, and driftwood as well as sustainable bamboo and hand-hewn rock to create authentic, eco-friendly accommodations over the water, on the beach, or surrounded by forest. An ideal destination for families, Bawah Reserve has incredible food and drink, an immaculate croquet and tennis lawn, a relaxing selection of spa and well-being treatments for grown-ups and a wide range of activities to keep the kids entertained including fish-filled lagoons, treasure hunts, bat caves, and an open-air cinema beneath the stars.

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A Private Island Paradise at Telunas Island Resort

A similar experience is available for couples and families at the Telunas Island resort, where guests are welcomed like members of the Telunas private island extended family to enjoy a stay in their luxurious Riau Islands overwater bungalows. The Telunas private island resort offers a remote island holiday in tranquil surroundings where visitors are free to experience a range of water and land activities and indulge in pure relaxation beside the infinity pool or with a spa treatment while enjoying unrivalled views of the open ocean and the rugged coastline of neighbouring Sugi Island. The Telunas island resort has some of the best Riau islands water villas benefiting from a light sea breeze and spacious private balconies with spectacular sea views. In keeping with the nautical theme, much of the furniture is created from the repurposed timber from wooden boats.

Any excursion to Riau Islands resorts should include sampling the incredible local cuisine influenced by Chinese, Indian, and Malay cultures as well as the Dutch and English. Nasi Lemak, a Malay recipe of fragrant rice steamed in coconut milk and served with barbecued meats or seafood is considered a national dish. Other popular specialties include laksa, a spicy noodle dish that can be found throughout Southeast Asia, and Bak kut teh, a Chinese dish created from pork ribs and pork broth gravy. Of course, any resort Riau Islands is going to be serving up an incredible variety of seafood and many Riau Islands hotels will be able to organize fishing trips for those who would like to catch their own supper. Other activities popular with guests of Riau islands all-inclusive resorts include scuba and snorkeling adventures around the archipelago’s numerous reefs and island treks for those wishing to witness the area's incredible animal and birdlife.

As the Asia experts, the team at Secret Retreats has years of experience curating island itineraries and is on hand to work with you to create your perfect Riau Islands resort adventure whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, in a group, or as a family.
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Travel Asia with Secret Retreats

Secret Retreats is a curated community of independent boutique hotel, villas, yachts and river boats keen to share their Asian Homes with travelers, sustainably and responsibly. Conservation of the environment, culture and traditions of Asia is of paramount importance to all in Secret Retreats. A community of like-minded hospitality professionals, we offer our guests authentic travel experiences that go beyond typical offerings to unveil the essence of Asia. Supporting the Asia based hoteliers and hospitality professionals and providing incredible holidays in Asia and tailor-made Asia travel itineraries direct to public ad travel agents.
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