Nirwana Gardens – Experience Honeymoon Bliss on Bintan Island, Indonesia

Just an hour ferry ride away from Singapore is Nirwana Gardens, a humongous integrated beach resort that spans over 330 hectares and offers not only 1, but 5 different accommodation options for you to choose from! Nestled on the northern coast of Bintan Island in Indonesia, this beach paradise features lush greenery, white sand beaches, and calming waters, making it the destination for couples to seek respite from the busy city life. Here, what awaits is delicious gourmet experiences, pampering spa treatments, thrilling sea sports and plenty more, all to make your honeymoon completely unforgettable. Read on to discover it for yourself.

1. Choose your stay from 5 exquisite hotels 

At Nirwana Gardens, you can choose to stay in any 1 of the 5 hotels available in their vast compound. Each hotel features a different accommodation style and experience, but no matter where you choose to spend the night, you are entitled to enjoy all the facilities in Nirwana Gardens, including the Nirwana Resort Centre!

Nirwana Resort Hotel, for sun-kissed lovers

During our visit, we stayed at the most popular Nirwana Resort Hotel. It offers 241 guestrooms all with sweeping views of either the sea, pool or garden. For your honeymoon, we recommend you book the Nirwana Suite. At 62sqm, it is perfect for an indulgent weekend, especially for those who seek more privacy. You can enjoy the evening sunset from your own private balcony that comes complete with cushioned chairs. A complete set of shower essentials by L’Occitane is also provided for your bathroom relaxation. We enjoyed the warm Indonesian hospitality shown to us the moment we stepped in. We’re certain sun-kissed lovers will have a great time here at this cheery paradise. Oh, and be sure to visit the large free-form infinity pool – it was our favourite spot that weekend!

Mayang Sari Beach Resort, for rustic & unspoilt nature

If you dream of waking up each morning to the fresh sea breeze and lush tropical greenery, a stay at Mayang Sari Beach Resort is the choice for you. In the local language, ‘Mayang’ means blossoms of the palm and ‘Sari’ means the essence of the flower. Together, Mayang Sari Beach Resort captures the essence and fragrance of nature’s beauty. Tucked in a cove on Bintan island, this quaint and rustic resort was built for couples seeking a restful ambience and reclusive getaway. Each chalet is cozy and features a private veranda that is perfect for your afternoon leisure. Be sure not to miss having an authentic and traditional Indonesian spa experience at Anindya Spa by Andaru.

Nirwana Beach Club, for village-style living

Situated on the water’s edge, Nirwana Beach Club presents honeymooners the ultimate rustic beachfront hideaway. For a more traditional and laidback experience, opt to stay in these kampung-styled cabanas that come equipped with modern day comforts (not to worry, basic wifi access, air conditioning, tv, fridge, bathroom amenities and hot water are provided). Water sports enthusiasts will have a thrilling time at The Beach Club, for they offer a boundless choice of activities such as jet-skiing, snorkelling and more!

Banyu Biru Villa, for cosy group gatherings

If you are on a buddymoon or planning an engagement party, Banyu Biru Villa has recently been refurbished with new pieces of furniture is your pick. It also offers you a holiday home of 2 or 3 bedrooms. Surrounded by gardens and small lakes, it is no wonder why this scenic spot is a favourite for cosy reunions.

Indra Maya Pool Villa, for exclusive getaways

Yes, we saved the best for last. Poised elegantly on the hills, Indra Maya Pool Villas overlooks the sparkling waters of the South China Sea and offers the ultimate private getaway for honeymooners. Each villa is designed with a blend of exotic Indonesian, Thai and Chinese architecture. Elegantly furnished with teak furniture and antique ornaments, its interiors are comfortable and spacious to boot. What we love most is the private swimming pool that also overlooks the ocean. Take it up a notch and arrange for your own poolside barbeque by your personal chef. Apart from tailored service by your Personalised Villa Host, a golf buggy is also provided for you to explore the compound at your own pace. There are only 8 of such villas available, so be sure to book early to secure a stay here.

2. Indulge in dining pleasures

Home to a plethora of dining options, Nirwana Gardens promises to tantalize your taste buds throughout your entire stay. From Indonesian to Chinese to Western, it might not come as a surprise that we could not go through all of the options during our short weekend stay.

A must-visit would be the Kelong Seafood Restaurant, famous for its highly delectable and fresh seafood. Built on stilts above the waters, it offers you an authentic kelong experience as you indulge in their signature dishes. Be sure to taste their Black Pepper Crab, Stir Fried Butter Prawns and Gong-Gong (sea snails), for these dishes had us reaching out for seconds.

After a scrumptious dinner, cross the bridge over to Calypso Floating Bar, to bask in the reggae and calypso music. Sip on a cocktail or beer as you bask in the light ocean breeze. This, in our opinion, marks one of the best spots in the entire resort to wind down for the day.

Other noteworthy food spots include Neydles House a must-visit for chinese cuisine lovers, for they serve up authentic noodle dishes and classic Asian staples. The Poolside has a delectable spread of barbecue every weekend (BBQ seafood buffet on every Friday and BBQ grill buffet on every Saturdays.) that is not to be missed, and Spice Restaurant is the place to go if you want to spice up your appetite with a marvelous variety of Indian and Indonesian dishes. If you are a fan of fusion cuisine, Dino Bistro restaurant features an “East-meets-West”‘ concept that gave birth to amazing Western dishes influenced by Asian taste. You can also enjoy live acoustic performances from their talented in-house band as you tuck into these delights. After dinner, head over to The Pub, a karaoke lounge that is a great spot for you to test your vocals after an exciting day on the beach.

3. Endless activities for endless fun

Nirwana Resort Center is the hub of all entertainment at Nirwana Gardens. Conveniently located within the precinct of the resort grounds (a 5-minute walk from Nirwana Resort Hotel), it is easily accessible and open to all guests of the hotel. Here, find endless entertainment and recreational options such as 16-lane indoor bowling alley, archery, rifle shooting, trampoline, paintball and even airsoft skirmish! The Team Challenge Hourglass is a 24-metre high tower that houses 14 obstacle courses that include a rock-climbing wall, a giant swing, as well as a 100-metre long zip line. For couples who love that extra thrill, be sure to get your adrenaline pumped on the flying fox!

For water sports and outdoor excursions, head over to the Activities Desk at Nirwana Resort Hotel, where you can rent All-Terrain-Vehicles, Ninebot, E-bikes, Scuba Diving equipment, jet skis, kayaks, parasailing, banana boat, paddle boards and more. For underwater lovers, Max’s Dive Centre is located right next to the beach club and you can take up courses to either learn scuba diving for the first time or go out on dive trips. A newly launched activity is the Nirwana UnderSea Walk where you do not need to learn diving to enjoy seeing wonders of the sea up close and personal. Outdoor excursions such as a trip to the native village to shop for local delicacies, handicrafts and batik are also available.

4. An ideal beach wedding destination 

Apart from all the excitement that Nirwana Gardens has to offer, it serves also as an ideal destination for romantic beach weddings. This idyllic venue brings so many possibilities to live, such as taking a buggy ride or horse-drawn carriage to your ceremony. Exchange your vows by the seaside with nature’s backdrop of blue skies and sparkling waters, accompanied by floral blooms and the perfect set up.

For your wedding banquet, the possibilities are endless. You can choose to dine under the stars on the beach, host an intimate gathering in the villa, or seat your guests in indoor comforts at their function halls. No matter which venue you choose, rest assured that the banquet team will serve up your guests an array of amazing food selections. The resort also has a team of wedding specialists that will help you with the intricacies of your big day, hoping to make it as smooth sailing as it can be. You can also take your wedding photos around the resort for its natural landscape offers a beautiful backdrop for any photo. The resort also has a photographer that you can hire for a photoshoot session. To inquire for your big day, email wedding@nirwanagardens.com.sg or call +65 6213 5830.

The Verdict

What we enjoyed most about Nirwana Gardens was the fact that it offers so much more, and has something for anyone. Whether you are seeking an exclusive, quiet getaway or an exciting one packed with endless activities, any type of holiday can be made possible at Nirwana Gardens.

How to get there

Simply take a ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. A round trip ticket by Bintan Resort Ferries cost about S$50. Check out the ferry schedule here. Upon arriving at the Bintan Ferry Terminal, there is a complimentary shuttle service that will take you right to Nirwana Gardens.

Nirwana Gardens
www.nirwanagardens.com
reservation@nirwanagardens.com
+65 6323 6636 | +62 770 692 505