A short boat ride from Singapore instantly transports us to Indonesia, where many tropical island gems are awaiting our discovery. In this issue, we set sail to Bintan to check out the most luxurious jewel of the island – The Sanchaya.

Titled as one of Asia’s Top 20 resorts by Conde Nast Traveller this year, you will find that The Sanchaya is home to more than just luxury and tasteful decor. Meaning “collection” in Sanskrit, The Sanchaya is equivalent to a fine art piece that incorporates ultra-luxe living, evident in its award-winning design and exceptional hospitality. Inspired by the European salons of the 19th Century, the estate marks a beautiful blend comprising the elegance of the Orient, refined European influence and references from Southeast Asia’s rich history and culture.

The beachfront estate, measuring a span of 10 hectares, houses 19 exquisite villas and 9 suites, each designed to perfection, furnished to the finest touch, and accompanied with unparalleled views of the stunning ocean. Situated an hour away from Singapore’s shores, The Sanchaya brings you a honeymoon experience that is worlds apart, starting from very moment you arrive at the ferry terminal. Read on to discover our experience for yourself. But first, watch our video tour of the resort below! Don’t forget to click subscribe here for more of our handmade video creations. 

10 Reasons to have your private getaway at the 5-Star Sanchaya Bintan

1. The epitome of luxe living

It is not an understatement to label The Sanchaya as your gateway to paradise. The moment we checked in at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, we were ushered to a private VIP lounge, and welcomed with a hot drink and light snacks. The tasteful decor and refined furnishings of the lounge gave us a sneak peek to the estate’s exquisite design. Following our arrival on Bintan Island, we were welcomed into a fast-queue for our immigration. We then proceeded to their lounge on the other side, where we enjoyed more refreshments while waiting for our ride. The entire time, our luggage was being taken care of. Speak of a seamless arrival and departure experience. In fact, The Sanchaya is the only resort on the island with a VIP lounge.

“The Sanchaya is doing for Bintan Island today what the Hamptons did for New York yesterday” – Luxury Hoteliers

A short 15-minute car ride brought us to the luxurious private estate. Situated on a pristine beachfront and surrounded by lush greenery, we stepped foot onto the beautiful property. Its stylish and elegant design was the hallmark of its luxury lifestyle. We were thrilled to be living here for the next 3 days.

2. Posh villas and suites

Posh, refined and elegant, yet somehow reminiscing of previous eras. It was difficult pinning down the exact origins of The Sanchaya’s architecture and design, as it was a beautiful blend of the captivating histories and cultures of Southeast Asia, with the essence of the British Colonial days infused throughout. The interiors featured neutral, crisp and earthy tones, lined with glossy parquet flooring, and bedecked with furnishings that included Chinese-styled cabinets and art pieces. Airy and spacious, each villa and suite comes with an open-concept and is lovingly designed for a relaxing and luxurious stay.

A beautiful blend of the captivating histories and cultures of Southeast Asia, with the essence of the British Colonial days infused throughout.

One-Bedroom Villa

We stayed at the One-Bedroom Villa. Boasting high-quality furnishings, we could tell that a lot of thought was put into every aesthetic detail of the villa to make it feel classy yet homely. For those of you who know me, you will know the bed is one of my crucial elements to constitute a luxurious stay. You will be pleased to know that The Sanchaya’s bed was humongous (super-king sized) and lined with plush Singaporean Ploh bed and bath linen (specifically 464 thread count Egyptian cotton Percale and premier 650-gram single yarn weave respectively). Almost needless to say, that made it really difficult to get out of in the morning. The villa also boasted a terrace with direct access to the lawn and a short walk to the beach.

Luxurious bathtime

Even bathtime felt luxurious, thanks to The Sanchaya exclusively customized collection of bathroom amenities. Their soaps and lotions are crafted from pure natural elements and essentials oils and felt light to my skin’s touch. The bathroom was notably one of the best designs we’ve come across. We could not stop gawking at this Pinterest-perfect setup, made perfect with vintage taps. The Peranakan tiles were especially beautiful.

Furthermore, the resort provides a bath menu combining a delightful food and beverage coupling with exclusive signature bath salts and candle-lit ambience – a first that we have seen. Speak to your reception to arrange for one of the four experiences – The Sanchaya Indulgence (signature fragrance, served with canapés and single Malt); The Sanchaya Lush (vetiver and black pepper with patchouli fragrance, with chocolate strawberries and champagne); The Sanchaya Revival (peppermint fragrance, with a cheese platter and port) and The Sanchaya Tranquility (lavender and ylang-ylang fragrance, with canapés and wine).

A bath menu combining a delightful food and beverage coupling with exclusive signature bath salts and candle-lit ambience – this is a first that we have seen.

3. Be enchanted by incredible views of ocean and greenery

Get ready for picturesque views of the sparkling ocean and lush gardens from almost every corner of The Sanchaya estate. The Sanchaya has it’s own private beachfront that ensures peace, serenity and calming views throughout your stay.

The Lawan Thai Villas

A special compound is the Lawan Thai Villas – one of the most requested room types in the resort. Lining the banks of a man-made lagoon, this area of the estate marks a unique reflection of Thai influences. Each morning, you wake up to a beautiful view of the calm waters, traditional thatched roofs surrounded by lush greenery and coconut trees, accompanied with a fresh scent in the air.

The interior designing of the Lawan Thai Villas slightly differ from the bright and airy open concept of the other suites or villas. Instead, they feature a more traditional approach and bolder color scheme to its setup. The high-vaulted ceilings and four-poster canopied beds create a romantic flair. Consistent with the other room types, it features high-quality furnishings, luxurious amenities, and gorgeous aesthetics.

On top of 21 villas and 9 suites, the estate is also home to a clubhouse, two restaurants, 24-hour in-villa dining, a bar, wine cellar, a wine-cheese-and-cigar lounge, a function space for intimate events, a 50-meter long infinity pool, a spa, fitness centre, beachside yoga pavilion, a croquet lawn, and a secluded beachfront. The Sanchaya presents world-class luxury, award-winning design, gorgeous aesthetics and warm hospitality, all in an elegant setting that transports you to a bygone era.

4. Discover paradise on earth

During your Bintan honeymoon, wake up to sunrise yoga on the beach, have breakfast in your private terrace, or sunbathe on a private, pristine beach.

Located on the pristine sands of Lagoi Bay, The Sanchaya was a serene and exclusive space for us to recharge and feel close to nature (they even have their own farm where they grow herbs!). Spending quality time on this island was priceless, and felt like a slice of paradise on earth.

The 50-meter infinity pool is also a great spot for you to relax and watch the sunset in the distance. You will be refreshed with a cold towel and water as you spend your day here with a book.

5. Meticulous service standards

Drawing inspiration from the European salons of the 18th and 19th Centuries, it was the vision of Natalya Pavchinskaya (founder), to bring back highly refined service standards and attentiveness in a private, exclusive estate. Guests are called ‘residents’ and the estate’s staff are referred to ‘artisans’.

“I was inspired by the European Salons of the 18^th and 19^th centuries… and wanted to recreate their feeling of hospitality; of bringing people together, in the home of a close friend, to share the same interests in art, in culture, in travel.” – Nayalya Pavchinskaya, founder of The Sanchaya

During our stay, we were wowed by the service standards of The Sanchaya. From checking in to breakfast at morning, to when we were served water and towels by the poolside, the artisans of the resort most certainly made us feel well taken care of. We felt like we were staying at our very posh vacation home (if only). Estate manager, Mr. Magnus Olovson makes it a point to extend a personal touch to every ‘resident’, and came to check in on us during our stay.

6. Embark on an extraordinary culinary journey

For food options, the two restaurants in the resort include The Dining Room and the poolside Tasanee Grill that services up Bangkok street cuisine in a relaxing beach setting. The Salon & Library is another space that overlooks the pool and beach, where you can also enjoy a casual meal or beverage.

Breakfast at The Sanchaya was a great way to kickstart the morning. Apart from the buffet line that serves up freshly baked pastries, you can also order from an ala-carte of specially curated dishes. A must-try is their Unagi Japanese Bowl – it was the best I have tasted, even after visiting Japan! Complete your morning routine with a fragrant cup of gourmet coffee featuring custom blends, that include their own Sanchaya label.

6. Endless pampering at the spa

A spa is always one of the best ways to unwind. Be pampered endlessly here with their spa treatments. During our session, I fell straight into deep relaxation and woke up an hour later feeling refreshed, recharged and ready to go. A great massage accompanied with meticulous service, and I would recommend making a reservation during your stay.

7. Delight in a wine and cheese tasting session

If you think you have to travel all the way to Napa Valley in order to enjoy a great wine tasting session, you will be thrilled to know that The Sanchaya has created a space exclusively to bring the experience closer to home. Decanter, their special wine and cheese tasting room is home to an extensive curated wine list. A resident Sommelier will also be on hand to assist you with wine selection and pairings.

Also, do not miss checking out their Suite Wine Bar that features a menu of bespoke cocktails and beverages, along with a handpicked selection of artisanal spirits.

8. Have fun with Croquet and Archery

If you want to get active on your honeymoon, The Sanchaya has croquet and archery activities for you to try! It is a great way to bond and learn new skills together. It was my first-time trying archery, and I was so glad the instructors were patient and super friendly. We had a great time just hanging out on the lawn. We were given unlimited arrows and rounds during our 1-hour session, unlike other activity centers where they charge per round. That gave us more practice in honing our skills.

9. Celebrate once-in-a-lifetime moments

The Sanchaya also plays host to once-in-a-lifetime celebrations like engagements and weddings! If you are in search of an elegant and exclusive destination, The Sanchaya is a place to check out, for it is home to romantic beachside solemnizations. There is also a function room available for your reception. Click here for more details.

“There is a particularly lucky spot upon The Sanchaya’s private beachfront reminiscent of the powder white sands at The Maldives, popular for wedding proposals.” – Forbes

10. Paradise is but a stone’s throw away

We often crave for that exclusive and secluded beach getaway, but many islands are often tucked far away and take hours or even days to get to. On the other hand, making your way to The Sanchaya is seamless and easy – just hop on a ferry terminal and you are there in less than an hour! Instead of spending time journeying, you get to spend more quality time relaxing on the beach. Paradise is closer than you imagined it to be!

Click here to book your honeymoon at The Sanchaya today!

The Sanchaya Bintan
www.thesanchaya.com
reservations@thesanchaya.com
Gurindam Duabelas Plot 5 Lagoi, Riau,
Indonesia 29155
+62 770 692200
Facebook

This post was brought to you by The Sanchaya Bintan. 

All dreamy photos are credited to the property. All opinions remain writer’s own. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright & disclosure policy.

To get featured on The Wedding Vow, email advertise@theweddingvowsg.com for advertising, editorial@theweddingvowsg.com for media invites. Click here for more information.
Don’t miss our wedding guide here and our honeymoon guide here. For couples, if you need any help/services, email us at contact@theweddingvowsg.com. We’d be happy to help!