Let me tell you something. When my wife said Bintan, my first reaction was not excitement. My first reaction was: why not just go to Johor or Port Dickson? Four hours total travel time for a resort?
But we went anyway. Two adults, two kids (ages 4 and 6), two nights at The Residence Bintan. Private pool villa. Beach. Kids club that actually worked.
We paid for everything ourselves. No complimentary upgrades. No press trip. Here is the honest field report.
What We Spent (Family of 4, 3D2N)
Before you book anything, here is the real number.
- Villa accommodation (2N3D): ~$900
- Bintan Resort Ferries (2 adults + 2 kids, return): ~$376
- Meals and activities on-site: ~$667
- Land transfer: Included with ferry ticket
Total: ~$1,567 SGD for a family of 4 for 2 nights.
We prepaid $600 for the base room and paid another $260 on-site to upgrade to the pool villa. The 7,000,000 IDR we spent on-site covered the villa upgrade, all our meals, and one jetski session. Breakfast was included.
The First Problem: Getting There Takes Longer Than You Think
The Ferry
The ferry from Tanah Merah Terminal to Bintan is 2 hours. That is manageable. But i just dislike ferry rides.
The Land Transfer
The resort transfer from the ferry terminal is another 1 hour. The resort is on the eastern side of Bintan, far from the main tourist areas.
Total Travel Time
Total travel time from your Singapore door to the villa: approximately 4 hours each way. We left at 9am and reached the villa after 2pm. That is half your first day gone.
This matters because for the same 4 hours of travel, you could be in Malacca or Port Dickson. We factor this in later.
The Villa: Private Pool Was Worth It, Everything Else Was Decent
The base room was prepaid at $600 SGD. We paid $260 SGD extra ($130 per night x 2 nights) to upgrade to the pool villa.
Was the upgrade worth it?
For us, yes.
The kids spent a large part of each day in that pool.
When you have young children, a private pool changes the holiday. You are not competing for pool space. You are not worrying about strangers. The kids just play.
The villa itself is spacious. Living area, private terrace, direct beach access. The pool is right outside your door. Views are of tropical gardens or the bay.
What You Get
- Large living area and private terrace
- Direct beach access
- Private pool
- Views of tropical gardens or the bay
What You Do Not Get
- Lunch and dinner are not included
- No butler service. You are fairly independent.
It felt like a step below full Club Med luxury but significantly cheaper. Think comfortable villa with good facilities, not 5-star service experience.
The Kids Club Saved Our Holiday
The Kakatu Kids Club was the unexpected highlight. They ran treasure hunts, cooking classes, pool sessions, and beach activities. The staff were genuinely engaged with the children.
This gave us actual relaxation time. With a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old, that is rare. If you have young kids and both parents need a break, this matters.
Free Bicycles: Bring Your Own Kids Bike Seat
The resort provides free bicycles outside each villa. We tried to use them to ride to breakfast. The bikes were adult-sized and too big for our kids. We had brought a portable kids bicycle seat, which saved us.
If your children are still small, pack your own bike seat. Otherwise the free bikes are not useful to you.
Water Activities and the Farm Tour
Water Activities Available
- Kayaking
- Jetski
- Stand-up paddle boarding
- Snorkelling in the calm bay
We did kayaking and jetski. The jetski was fun. The weather did not cooperate (it rained) but the kids still enjoyed it.
Farm Tour
We also did the farm tour. The children loved it. Feeding chickens, feeding fish, playing with rabbits. Genuinely fun family activity.
One warning. There were a lot of mosquitoes. Bring repellent and cover up before you go, especially in the evening.
Food: Make Breakfast Your Big Meal
Breakfast was included and was a good spread. This is where the kids ate well every morning.
Lunch and dinner came from our on-site budget. We ordered room service a few times and ate at the resort restaurants. Budget more than you think if you plan to eat at resort restaurants every meal.
Our tip. Make breakfast your big meal. Eat big at breakfast and plan other meals around it. The resort restaurants are convenient but not cheap.
Would We Go Back?
No.
Here is why. Four hours total travel time each way for a resort that is isolated from everything else. You cannot walk out to explore.
You cannot find other food options nearby. The resort is the destination.
For the same travel investment, Malacca or Port Dickson give you more. More food options. More things to do. Less logistically complicated.
When It Makes Sense
If you specifically want a quiet resort with minimal crowds, do not need to leave the property, and are going for pure relaxation with young kids, the villa with pool, the kids club, and the beach make it a reasonable choice.
It is a good holiday. But it is not the best value for most Singapore families with the same budget and travel time.
When to Skip It
If you want to explore, eat around, or fill your days with activities outside the resort. Bintan outside the resort has limited infrastructure compared to alternatives closer to Singapore.
What to Know Before You Go
Pack a Basic First Aid Kit
Our 4-year-old came down with a fever. The resort had Panadol but nothing else. There is no pharmacy nearby.
Bring a Kids Bicycle Seat
The resort bikes are adult-sized. If you have young children, your portable bike seat will save you.
Buy Water Activities On-Site
Prices are negotiable at the beachfront, not necessarily higher through the front desk.
Make Breakfast Your Big Meal
Eat big at breakfast and save money on other meals. The resort restaurants are convenient but not cheap.
Factor in 4 Hours Travel Each Way
Leave early morning to arrive by 2pm. The return journey also takes half a day.
Rainy Season: November to February
Bring rain jackets and plan indoor activities. Afternoon storms can interrupt water activities.
The Numbers in Context
~$1,567 SGD for a family of 4 for 2 nights gets you:
- Private pool villa
- Good breakfast included
- Kids club that works
- 8 hours total travel time
Compare to These Alternatives
- Port Dickson: 1.5 hour drive. Beachfront hotels from $80 – $150 per night. More food options nearby.
- Malacca: 2 hour drive. More to see and eat. Family-friendly hotels from $60 per night.
- Desaru: 1.5 hour ferry plus bus. Beach resorts, fewer crowds than Bintan.
Book The Residence Bintan if your goal is specifically a quiet villa-and-pool resort with young kids where you do not plan to leave the property. For everything else, the alternatives give you more for the same travel investment.