Charming local design and heartfelt hospitality make this Bintan retreat one to return to.
A beach escape that feels a world apart from Singapore usually requires a flight, a long transfer, or both. Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach offers a much easier alternative: a peaceful seaside retreat about an hour away by ferry, leaving the city’s pace firmly behind.
- 1 Boutique beachfront resort inspired by Bintan’s seafaring heritage
- 2 Warm welcome with purposeful tech woven into guest experience
- 3 My Room: Premium King Ocean View Room
- 4 Where pool days come with ocean views
- 5 A playful beachfront pit stop
- 6 SugarBEATS: Bintan flavours by the sea
- 7 New developments in the works for 2028
Boutique beachfront resort inspired by Bintan’s seafaring heritage
While Bintan Island offers a range of modern beach resorts, Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach stands out by looking more closely at the island’s identity. Its design draws on Bintan’s rich seafaring heritage and tropical lifestyle, with these influences woven throughout the architecture and the wider guest experience.
The 120-room property is also part of a dual-brand concept, with Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi located right next door. The two resorts are linked by walking paths, and the property provides bicycles so guests can explore both properties at a leisurely pace.
I have been looking forward to checking out the resort, especially after hearing about the recognition it has received for its hospitality and landscape design earlier this year.
After stepping off the ferry and clearing immigration, hotel staff promptly greeted me and drove me to the property. Even from a distance, the resort was easy to spot. As we pulled up to the lobby, a dramatic entrance unfolded, flanked by traditional fishing boats floating on the water, a striking homage to Bintan’s maritime heritage.
Warm welcome with purposeful tech woven into guest experience
In the lobby, I was welcomed with a refreshing Indonesian drink made with pandan, honey, and fermented dates. The check-in process was smooth and relaxed. What stood out most was the staff’s attentive hospitality. After explaining that the hotel uses WhatsApp for timely updates, service requests, and buggy bookings, the staff guided me to add them on WhatsApp. Before whisking me to my room, they showed me the ‘Me Space’, hidden right beside the lobby, where the hotel conducts activities like handicraft workshops.
My Room: Premium King Ocean View Room
I stayed in the Premium King Ocean View room, a spacious retreat thoughtfully appointed with modern amenities and furnishings that pay homage to the island’s maritime heritage.
The highlight of this room type is the balcony, which opens to a peaceful ocean view. It’s furnished with a two-seater sofa, a sun lounger, and a gorgeous outdoor bathtub with bath salts and a loofah. Absolutely perfect for unwinding and soaking up the views after a day at the beach.
Even the bathroom details were remarkable: the shower products are from a local label also featured in the spa, paired with custom robes accented by Indonesian batik prints. I like how these thoughtful little touches enhance the sense of place.
A sense of ease carries throughout the rest of the resort. Despite its scale, the atmosphere never felt hectic during my stay. Plenty of corners let you slow down, whether that means spending the afternoon by the pool, walking along the beach, or simply cycling around the resort.
Where pool days come with ocean views
Beyond the rooms, the resort features two swimming pools, each with its own vibes.
Reserved exclusively for Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach guests, the Voyage Pool Bar provides a quieter setting to enjoy a tipple or two while taking in the views. This thoughtful separation reflects how carefully the resort has designed its amenities around different guests’ needs and preferences.
For families, the second pool sits beside SugarBEATS and feels livelier and more playful. The location makes it convenient for guests travelling with children, with dining, the beach and poolside lounging all within easy reach. Together, the two pools give guests the flexibility to choose between a more tranquil retreat and a sociable, family-friendly setting.
A playful beachfront pit stop
A relatively new addition to the beachfront dining scene is Voyager, a charming pop-up food truck that caught my eye with its playful colour palette and retro aesthetic. There is something about its design that reminds me of a Wes Anderson film, making it a lovely photo spot too. On the menu are Indonesian-inspired finger foods and light bites, perfect for a casual snack between dips in the pool or while lounging by the beach.
SugarBEATS: Bintan flavours by the sea
Ocean Kitchen anchors the dining experience, serving breakfast and dinner buffets alongside an all-day menu. Tiki Bar & Lounge is where you can settle in for cocktails and light bites, while Stix Satay Bar brings a little more theatre with Southeast Asian skewers cooked over an open-flame grill. Together, the three concepts make SugarBEATS an easy place to linger from day to night.
Reservations for dinner were also easy to arrange; simply text the concierge via WhatsApp. For dinner, I had the Indonesian grill buffet at Ocean Kitchen, which featured a fresh selection of seafood alongside an array of Indonesian sambal (chilli pastes).
New developments in the works for 2028
And there is more to come. As the resort continues to grow, new additions are in the works, including a Chinese restaurant, café, rooftop bar and wellness centre, alongside sports facilities for padel, pickleball and tennis. While these are still under development, they offer another reason to return to Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach.
View this post on Instagram
