Rooms

Of the estate’s 29 villas and suites, the Junior and Sanchaya Suites were our favourite, with fabulous ocean views from their first-floor verandas in the main house. The bamboo-roofed Lawan Thai Villas circle a pretty inland lagoon, while Two-Bedroom Villas open to direct beach access, their shared dining and living area at the heart of the space.

Decor is divine throughout, colonial chic (whirling fans, shutters, dark-wood planter chairs) and loaded with luxury: that free minibar (replenished daily), Aesop toiletries, super-comfy beds with pillow menus, filmy curtains wafting in the breeze. Technology is present yet correct with Apple TV and B&O sound systems.

Top choice for groups is the beautiful Leelawadee Residence. Just 3 one-bedroom villas and a private dining area set around your own private 17m pool. Total indulgence.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Wake up to a breakfast buffet of Continental treats served in The Dining Room, jazzed up by an innovative menu of eggs, pancakes and Indonesian early-morning fare. Verandah tables soak up the stunning beach view, and jamu tonics are served table-to-table by the jamu-wallah: healthy turmeric, ginger and kaffir lime shots.

Lunch can be ordered wherever, whenever, while afternoon tea happens in the quiet calm of The Bar. We loved its gentlemen's club styling, with Chesterfield sofas and hooded leather chairs; later it's a great place for nightcaps and cigars.

In the evening, The Dining Room serves exquisite Indonesian and European flavours: lobster bisque with aero champagne; kurobeta pork belly with Oriental five spices, slow-braised beef. For something more casual, head to Tasanee Grill, where Bangkok street food-inspired dishes are shared with the stars and the breeze.

If you're here for romance, request a candlelit beach BBQ, or in-villa dining. Or book a private dinner in The Decanter, the glass-walled wine cellar, where you can taste wines from lesser-known boutique vineyards. We love the sound of their 'wine and cheese' pairings tutorial.

Features include:

• Bar
• Coffee maker
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Head beachwards to soak up the sun
  
• Then cool down on a semi-submerged lounger in the Olympic-sized pool
  
• There are SUP boards for carving over the waves, and you can book snorkelling, scuba diving and sailing trips
  
• Take a Southeast Asian Flavours cookery class, with hands-on help from the estate’s chef. Or ask the mixologist at The Bar to teach you cocktails and mocktails with tropical flavours
  
• Do alfresco yoga and meditation as the sun comes up, and play lawn croquet and pétanque or try your hand at archery as the sun goes down
  
• Have a go at blokarting (land yachting) across the sand
  
• Enjoy absolute indulgence at the spa - perhaps a Thai massage, a signature scrub using warm oils and fresh herbs, or a Javanese volcanic stone massage. Choose from indoor or garden cabana treatments
  
• There's an activities concierge who can arrange night mangrove tours, boat trips and private seaplane rides. Or cruise along the Sebung River, home to macaques and silvered leaf monkeys
  
• Hike up to the summit of Gunung Bintan mountain
  
• Bintan is a golfer's paradise

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling

Kids

While The Sanchaya is an adult’s playground, children are welcome and stay for free up to 11 years of age. There are baby cots and staff can arrange babysitting (extra cost); in-room iPads have kid-friendly movies; there's a kids' menu available, and imaginative activities delight children of all ages.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Junior Suites and Thai Lawan Villas can each fit a baby cot. Sanchaya Suites can fit an extra bed (additional fee). Two-Bedroom Villas are ideal for families, with a double and twin bedroom apiece. If you're a bigger group, book Leelawadee, which is 3 one-bedroom villas set around a private pool (2 doubles, 1 twin).

Distances:

• Airport: 50 minutes by boat then a 15-minute taxi (Singapore)
• Hospital: 35km
• Shops: 0.5km

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Sanchaya is set on Bintan Island in Indonesia, a 50-minute boat ride from Singapore.

By Air:
Changi Airport in Singapore (8km away) is the nearest airport, served by a huge range of international airlines.

From Singapore:
It's a 50-minute high-speed catamaran ferry ride from Singapore’s Tanah Merah ferry terminal to Bintan. Ferries operate up to 5 times a day. It's essential to book the ferry in advance if travelling at weekends or holidays. The hotel offers free transfers from the ferry port.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.

More on getting to Singapore and getting around