The short answer: The Residence Bintan is a solid resort experience if you want to relax without the crowds. But the 4-hour total travel time to get there means you have better options for the same budget.
This is an honest field report from a Singaporean dad who went with his wife and two kids (ages 4 and 6 at the time). We paid for everything ourselves. No complimentary upgrades, no press trips. Here is what you actually get.
The Numbers (SGD, Family of 4, 3D2N)
| One-Bedroom Beachfront Villa with Private Pool (3D2N) | ~$900 |
| Bintan Resort Ferries (2 adults + 2 kids, return) | ~$376 |
| Meals + Activities (on-site spend) | ~$667 |
| Land transfer (ferry terminal to resort) | Included with ferry ticket |
| Total | ~$1,567 SGD |
Note: We prepaid $600 for accommodation and paid $260 on-site to upgrade to the pool villa. The 7,000,000 IDR on-site covered the villa upgrade, all our meals, and the jetski session.
Breakfast was included with the room.
Getting There: What to Expect
The Ferry
2 hours from Singapore Tanah Merah Terminal to Bintan. We used Bintan Resort Ferries. Tickets were $100 per adult, $88 per child.
The Land Transfer
~1 hour from the ferry terminal to the resort. The resort is on the eastern side of Bintan, so it is not close to the main tourist areas in the north.
Total Travel Time
Approximately 4 hours from your Singapore door to the resort room. This is the biggest cost of the trip. You lose half a day each way. Factor this in when you plan your dates — we left at 9am and did not get to the villa until after 2pm.
The Villa: One-Bedroom Beachfront Villa with Private Pool
The base room was prepaid at $600 SGD. We paid an additional $260 SGD ($130 per night x 2 nights) on-site to upgrade to the pool villa. Total villa cost: approximately $900 SGD for 2 nights.
The pool is private and right outside your door. The kids (4 and 6) spent a lot of time in it.
What You Get
- Large living area and private terrace
- Direct access to the beach
- Private pool
- Views of tropical gardens or the bay
What You Do Not Get
- Lunch and dinner are not included in the room rate
- No butler service. You are fairly independent.
The room felt like a step below full Club Med luxury but significantly cheaper. Think of it as a comfortable, spacious villa with good facilities — not a 5-star service experience.
The Resort Grounds and Facilities
Kakatu Kids Club
Was a highlight for the children. They ran treasure hunts, cooking classes, and played in the pool and on the beach. The staff were engaged and the kids were entertained. This gave us some actual relaxation time.
Free Bicycles
Available outside your villa. We tried to use them to ride to the main restaurant for breakfast. But the bikes were too big for our kids. Fortunately we had brought a portable kids bicycle seat, which saved us.
Water Activities
- 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 the water activities.
Farm Tour
We did the farm tour with the kids. They loved it — feeding the chickens, feeding the fish, and playing with the rabbits. It was a genuinely fun family activity and the children enjoyed every minute of it.
One honest warning: there were a lot of mosquitoes. Bring mosquito repellent and cover up before you go.
Food: Breakfast Included, Everything Else Is Extra
Breakfast was included with the room and was a good spread. This is where the kids ate well each morning.
Lunch and dinner were paid from our on-site budget. We ordered room service a few times and ate at the resort restaurants. Budget more than you think for food if you plan to eat at the resort restaurants every meal.
The Verdict: Would You Go Back?
Short Answer: No
The total travel time is 4 hours each way. For that same travel investment, you can reach Malacca or Port Dickson — both of which offer more to do, more food options, and significantly less logistically complicated.
When It Is Worth It
If you specifically want a quiet resort with minimal crowds, do not need to leave the property, and are going for pure relaxation. In that case, the villa with pool, the kids club, and the beach make it a reasonable choice.
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.
Practical Tips Before You Go
Bring Your Own Medicine
Our 4-year-old came down with a fever. The resort reception had Panadol but that was it. There is no pharmacy nearby. Pack a basic first aid kit.
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
Breakfast is your best meal of the day. Eat big at breakfast and plan your other meals around it. The resort restaurants are convenient but not cheap.
Factor in 4 Hours of Travel
Leave early morning so you arrive by 2pm and do not waste your first day. The return journey on the last day also takes half a day.
Rainy Season
November to February: bring rain jackets and plan indoor activities. Afternoon storms can interrupt water activities.
The Cost in Context
For ~$1,567 SGD total for a family of 4 for 3D2N:
- You get a private pool villa, good breakfast, and a kids club
- You do not get much else outside the resort
- You spend 8 hours total travelling
Compare to These Alternatives
- Port Dickson: 1.5 hour drive. Beachfront hotels from $80/night. More food options.
- Malacca: 2 hour drive. More to see and eat. Family-friendly hotels from $60/night.
- Desaru: 1.5 hour ferry + bus. Beach resorts, fewer crowds than Bintan.
Bintan makes sense if you specifically want the villa-and-pool resort experience with minimal crowds. For the same budget and travel time, the alternatives give you more.
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