The best Bintan getaway you’ll ever have

The best getaway wardrobe is a combination of what keeps you cool while making you look cool: denim, anything with stripes (Breton or otherwise), and day-to-night dresses. As to where to go, we like them breath-taking yet nearby: The Sanchaya at Bintan that takes us just one hour to get to (including clearing customs).

PHOTOGRAPHY ELVINA FARKAS/ANUE MANAGEMENT
STYLING BRYAN GOH
HAIR CHRISTVIAN GOH/TRIMMINGS SALON & SPA, USING KEVIN.MURPHY
MAKEUP MELISSA YEO/FAC3INC,USING NARS
MODEL BOGLARKA/LOOQUE

This story first appeared in the print version of Her World’s December 2017 issue.

The Sanchaya – a colonial meets Ralph Lauren beachfront resort – has been an Insta hit since it opened in December 2014. Why do we keep going back? The establishment – all 21 villas and nine suites – is to tranquil that it makes you feel like you are the only person there.

The resort even has its own express immigration counter and VIP lounge for you to clear customs the way a Sanchaya pampered guest should – fast. 

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Every seaside resort offers sea-related activities, but not all are free. At The Sanchaya, every activity is free including paddle boarding, blokarting (where you are whisk down the beach in a cart with a sail attached to it), and one-wheeled hover boarding (a motorised skateboard that goes up to 35km an hour).

Denim shirt, $1,930, denim jeans, $1,480, and feather embellished pool sliders, $1,130, Valentino. Helen Kaminski straw fedora, $332, Club 21b. Key West acetate sunglasses, $329, Gentle Monster.

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Out of the 21 villas, eight are two-storeyed – with the living area and kitchen downstairs, and the bedroom and the bathroom upstairs. At US$848.99++ a night. 

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We don’t why stripes work so well with any tropical surrounding. They just do. When the tide is low, walk to the nearby islands and kelong. When it’s not, book a motor- or speedboat. Pre-order breakfast, brunch or lunch, and it will be delivered to wherever you are.

Knit sweater and skirt (prices unavailable), 3.1 Phillip Lim. Ami Adam acetate and metal sunglasses, $328, Gentle Monster.

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Head chef of three years, Italian Giacomo Torzo has chalked up over three decades serving his speciality – hearty Italian comfort food at five star resorts and a series of Michelin star restaurants in countries like Thailand and Egypt.

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Over 200 varieties of wine are available at The Sanchaya, and the range varies monthly. On the evening of Dec 28, its sommelier Jeroen L’abée will be serving champagne, whites, reds and a sweet wine with an array of cheese.

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Osetra caviar, farmed from osetra sturgeons in aqua farms in Finland, will be served on December 22 with bubbly.

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Activities at The Sanchaya include playing croquet on a manicured lawn, archery (USD$30 with an instructor to guide you) and petanque, a sport that originated in France where the goal is to toss hollow steel balls as close as possible to a small wooden one.

Silk crepe de chine shirt with satin belt, $3,050, and silk crepe de chine pants, $1,970, Gucci. Visor, stylist’s own.

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We’ve said that the coolest establishments offer Aesop toiletries. The Sanchaya does. Even in its public restrooms.

Jersey sweater and polyester jumpsuit (prices unavailable), Max Mara. Michael Kors Collection acetate necklace (price unavailable), Michael Kors. Calf leather sneakers (price unavailable), Kate Spade. Fascinator, stylist’s own.

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Shot at Vanda, the two-storey bungalow, which overlooks the South China Sea, belongs to the resort’s Russian owner, Natalya Pavchinskaya. It is available to the public when it’s not occupied. It has four bedrooms, a kitchen, a guest cottage, and private ground with a pool. Starting price: US$10,000++ for a night.

Nylon dress with lace overlay, $1,990, Marc Jacobs. Michael Kors Collection acetate earrings (price unavailable), Michael Kors.

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