Banyan Tree Bintan: Luxury Weekend Stay Review (Hotel Review)

Banyan Tree Bintan: Luxury Weekend Stay Review (Hotel Review)

Banyan Tree Bintan: Luxury Weekend Stay Review (Hotel Review) — Yes. Banyan Tree Bintan is an excellent luxury weekend escape from Singapore with private-villa options, ocean views, a world-class spa and easy access via a 60–75 minute ferry to Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT). For a well-paced 2-day weekend you can travel on Friday evening or Saturday morning and be back in Singapore by Sunday night.

Banyan Tree Bintan: Luxury Weekend Stay Review (Hotel Review) — Quick verdict

• Who it’s for: couples, honeymooners and anyone seeking luxury villas with private pools and quiet beach time.
• Travel time from Singapore: ~60–75 minutes by high-speed ferry to Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) + ~10–20 minutes land transfer.
• Average nightly price: roughly around USD 350–550 for many villas (average quoted ~USD 450/night), with premium oceanview infinity pool villas higher depending on season.

Why pick Banyan Tree Bintan for a weekend?

• Private villa-style accommodation with many villas offering private plunge pools or infinity pools.
• Quiet, elevated beachfront setting with direct nature and ocean views.
• Strong spa & wellbeing program (Banyan Tree Spa), plus water sports and nature trails — ideal for a short, restorative stay.
• Easy access for Singapore travellers: frequent ferries from Tanah Merah; short transfer to the resort.

Where the resort is and how to get there (step-by-step)

1. Book your ferry from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT) to Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT). Plan to arrive at the ferry terminal 60–90 minutes before departure for check-in and immigration.
2. Ferry ride duration: ~60–75 minutes depending on service. Book a return seat — ferries can fill up on weekends.
3. On arrival at BBT, the resort’s transfer (or a booked private car) will meet you. Transfer time to Banyan Tree Bintan is usually ~10–20 minutes.
4. Check-in time: typically around 3:00 PM (hotel policies may vary). If you arrive earlier, ask about luggage storage and day-use services or spa treatments while your villa is prepared.

Quick ferry tips

• Buy ferry tickets in advance (especially for weekend travel).
• Carry your passport (valid 6+ months) and printed or mobile ferry ticket.
• Remember Bintan is 1 hour behind Singapore (set your watch).

Visa & entry essentials

• Singaporeans and many nationalities can obtain Visa on Arrival (VOA) or visit under visa-free arrangements — check your passport’s rules before travelling.
• There is a short-stay VOA option for the Riau Islands (Bintan). If in doubt, consult official Indonesian immigration pages or your travel agent.
• Bring proof of return/ onward ticket and have local currency (IDR) or card ready for VOA fees when applicable.

Rooms & villas (what to expect)

Banyan Tree Bintan offers several villa categories — Rainforest Seaview, Ocean Villas on the Rock, Oceanview Infinity Pool Villas and larger two-bedroom villas. Expect private terraces, lush landscaping, and villa sizes that favor privacy and ocean views.

• Rainforest Seaview Villa — ideal for couples wanting nature + sea glimpses.
• Ocean Villa on the Rock — hillside location with stronger sea views.
• Oceanview Infinity Pool Villa / Sanctuary Spa Pool Villa — best for private pool & dramatic sunsets.

Facilities, dining & wellness

• Banyan Tree Spa — signature massages, wellness experiences and in-villa treatments.
• Dining options — resort restaurants serving local and international cuisine; destination dining available for special occasions.
• Activities — kayaking, paddleboarding, ranger trails, cycling, guided nature walks, seasonal sea turtle programs and golf nearby (Laguna/Ria courses).

Sample 2-day weekend itinerary (Singapore departure)

Day 1 — Saturday

• 08:30 — Arrive at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (check-in 60–90 min before ferry).
• 10:00 — Ferry departs; arrive BBT ~11:00–11:15.
• 11:30 — Resort transfer to Banyan Tree, early lunch on arrival or at villa (ask if early check-in available).
• 14:00 — Relax in villa, swim in private pool, short beach walk.
• 17:30 — Sunset drinks; 19:00 — Dinner at resort restaurant (book ahead for special dining).

Day 2 — Sunday

• 08:00 — Breakfast with view; 09:30 — Short nature trail or kayak.
• 11:00 — Spa treatment (90–120 min) — perfect mid-morning relaxation.
• 13:00 — Check-out (or request late check-out if you want more beach time); light lunch.
• 15:00 — Resort transfer to ferry terminal, depart for Singapore, arrive before evening.

Estimated costs (per person / per couple) — practical budgeting

• Ferry (return): S$58–S$80+ per person (economy) depending on ferry and whether weekend/peak season.
• Villa rate: expect around USD 350–550 per night for many villas; oceanview infinity pool villas cost more — check hotel site for promotions and offers.
• Spa treatment: USD 60–200 per person depending on treatment length and package.
• Meals: plan USD 15–50 per person for casual meals at resort restaurants; fine dining and destination dinners will cost more.
• Transfers: many packages include land transfers; if not, private car transfer from BBT to resort is generally modest (resort-arranged transfers common).

Tip: Bundled packages that include ferry + transfer + accommodation often give better value than booking each separately.

Packages & deals (book with ferry included)

We recommend checking curated ferry + hotel packages so you don’t have to arrange ferry and land transfers separately. A few bookable options to consider:

• Bintan | Banyan Tree Villas + Ferry — direct package for Banyan Tree villas with ferry included.
• Bintan | Nirwana Resort Hotel + Ferry — when you want to compare another big resort on Bintan.
• Bintan | Mayang Sari Beach Resort + Ferry — a simpler beachfront option if you want something less private and more budget-friendly.
• Batam | Montigo Resort + Ferry! Asia's Top 5-Star Resort with Private Infinity Pool — consider this if you want an alternative short luxury trip to Batam.

How Banyan Tree Bintan compares to other nearby resorts

• Banyan Tree Bintan vs Four Points / Grand Lagoi: Banyan Tree focuses on private villa, wellness and seclusion; Four Points and Grand Lagoi can be better for families and tighter budgets.
• Banyan Tree vs Nirwana Resort: Nirwana is large with more family facilities and activities; Banyan Tree offers more private, villa-centric luxury.

Practical travel tips (especially for Singapore travellers)

• Book ferry seats early and confirm resort transfers in advance.
• Bring spare IDR cash for small purchases, tips and local vendors — larger cards accepted at resorts but small shops may prefer cash.
• Check time zone: Indonesia (Bintan) = Singapore time minus 1 hour.
• In-villa dining and spa bookings fill up on weekends — reserve ahead of arrival.
• If you want a sunset view, request an ocean-facing villa or ocean balcony at the time of booking.

Suggested packing list

• Passport & a printed copy of ferry tickets and hotel confirmation.
• Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, sun hat and light cover-ups.
• Light mosquito repellent for evenings (villas near nature can have bugs).
• Universal adapter and a small amount of IDR cash for incidentals.

Useful internal guides & further reading

• Do You Need a Visa for Batam or Bintan? (FAQ)
• Why Bintan Is the Perfect Weekend Escape from Singapore
• Top 5 Bintan Resort in May 2025
• What to Pack for Your Bintan Island Adventure

FAQs

Q: How long is the ferry from Singapore to Banyan Tree Bintan?

A: The high-speed ferry from Tanah Merah to Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) is about 60–75 minutes. Add 10–20 minutes for land transfer to the resort.

Q: Do I need a visa to go to Bintan?

A: Visa rules depend on your nationality. Many travellers use Visa on Arrival (VOA) or visa-free entry. Singapore passport holders enjoy simplified arrangements but always check current Indonesian immigration rules before travel. See our guide: Do You Need a Visa for Batam or Bintan? (FAQ).

Q: Are transfers from the ferry terminal included?

A: Many packaged deals include two-way land transfers. If booking accommodation directly, confirm with the resort whether transfer is complimentary or chargeable and provide your ferry arrival time.

Q: Is Banyan Tree Bintan family-friendly?

A: Banyan Tree Bintan is best known for couples and wellness stays; there are family-friendly options and activities, but families may prefer larger resorts with more children’s facilities depending on needs.

Final thoughts — is it worth it for a weekend?

If you value villa privacy, spa quality and a quiet beach setting, Banyan Tree Bintan is a top choice for a luxury weekend from Singapore. It is more expensive than basic resorts, but the private pools, calm atmosphere and service justify the premium for many couples and wellness seekers. For comparisons and alternative picks, consider browsing the Nirwana and Mayang Sari packages above.

Book a package to make your trip hassle-free. Here are quick package links again for easy booking:

• Bintan | Banyan Tree Villas + Ferry
• Bintan | Nirwana Resort Hotel + Ferry
• Bintan | Mayang Sari Beach Resort + Ferry
• Batam | Montigo Resort + Ferry! Asia's Top 5-Star Resort with Private Infinity Pool

👉 Check our latest Bintan packages and WhatsApp us to book now.