Tropical paradise on Bintan Island

People stroll along the beach at the Bintan Lagoon Resort. / Courtesy of BLR

BLR offers unique leisure and MICE solutions

By Kim Jae-kyoung

With beautiful beaches and countless activities, Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR) is an ideal destination for those wanting to have fun and socialize at a beach resort.

In particular, for those seeking a getaway from hectic city life, this resort offers a complete set of experiences, ranging from sea sports and indoor activities to a variety of dining experiences and cultural tours.

Set among 300 hectares of beachfront gardens overlooking the South China Sea, the Indonesian-style 470-room resort has the largest and longest operating beach on Bintan Island, part of the Riau Islands province, Indonesia.

It is a particularly attractive place for Korean travelers because it is the only resort on the island with its own ferry terminal and direct ferry service from Singapore.

A family watch wild animals during the Mangrove discovery tour through the Sebung River on Bintan Island. /Courtesy of BLR

The resort, which was rebranded BLR a year ago, has been undergoing innovative change to become a “place like no other” where guests can have “fun, party, relax, revive, explore and tee-off” at the same time.

The revitalization process has been led by President Director Moe Ibrahim, who acquired the resort in 2006.

“BLR is undergoing a physical transformation, from the beautification of the landscape to new restaurants and facilities, in order to provide guests with new experiences and activities,” Ibrahim said in a recent interview.

“We want our guests to feel that they are part of the BLR family. Our employees, with their natural Indonesian warmth and hospitality, are also trained in service delivery from the heart.”

Tourists enjoy jet skiing. Courtesy of BLR

Endless activities and tours

There is never a dull day at the resort, with its 1.5-kilometer stretch of beachfront and a 75-minute ferry ride from Singapore.

Over 50 land and sea activities are available to guests. Sun seekers can enjoy lounging by the resort’s two swimming pools, or make a splash with water sports such as snorkeling, jet-skiing and banana boats.

If guests prefer to stay dry but still have a love for speed, they can enjoy the all-terrain vehicle ride for an afternoon of fun as they maneuver through the jungle. Also on land, there are activities such as tennis, archery and cycling for the more adventurous.

The resort is also home to two spectacular championship 18-hole golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Ian Baker-Finch.

Nelayan, top, is a beachfront restaurant and the bottom photo shows a swimming pool bar at the Bintan Ragoon Resort. / Courtesy of BLR

If you are adventure and culture seekers, you can travel beyond the resort to explore the cultural heritage centers of Bintan or join the Mangrove Discovery Tour. The mangrove tour, the 60-minute eco adventure alongside the Sebung River, will give you a chance to see wildlife and experience the flora and fauna.

What is special about BLR is that with extensive meeting facilities and a variety of outdoor locations the resort offers the perfect setting for meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE).

“BLR is the largest integrated resort on the island of Bintan, sited on over 300 hectares,” Ibrahim said.

“It is the only resort with its own private ferry terminal, two helipads, a dedicated conference centre accommodating up to 1,200 persons and over 50 recreational activities including two world-class golf courses.”

Another attractive part of BLR is that guests can enjoy culinary delights through a wide range of wining and dining experiences, from Western to Indonesian cuisine.

The resort boasts a variety of restaurants that are accessible from the beach and overlook the sparkling blue waters of the South China Sea. Most recently, the resort renovated its flagship buffet restaurant, Fiesta, providing more choices for guests.

Attracting more Koreans

Ibrahim said Korea has long been important for BLR, noting that Korean guests form one of the top-three markets for the resort.

“Sun, sea, golf and our extensive array of facilities and experiences available in a vast scenic, lush environment, plus easy accessibility and proximity to Singapore, are attractive factors,” he said.

“Most Koreans combine a city holiday in Singapore with a resort getaway in Bintan. It makes for a different and charming contrast. BLR also offers a wide choice of Asian foods which appeal to Koreans.”

In July 2016, the resort, as part of its services innovation, introduced an all-inclusive package to satisfy every customer segment ― from adventure and culture seekers to young families.

“What is best about BLR’s all-inclusive package is that it is stress-free, easy to plan and most importantly an easy way for our guests to gauge their overall spending before the trip,” Ibrahim said.