Design Anthology - Asia Pacific Edition
Island Getaways
A stone’s throw from the Lion City, the isles of Indonesia are home to remote resorts that provide the ultimate tropical retreat
Singapore maybe a nation of islands, but its oeuvre of remote, luxe island resorts pales in comparison to neighbouring Indonesia, a country whose 17,000 isles between the Indian and Pacific oceans will sate even the most intense wanderlust.
One hour from the Lion City, on the northern coast of the Indonesian island of Bintan, is the refined Sanchaya. The resort is anchored by the Great House, whose black and white exterior recalls British army officers’ homes in Singapore and which contains suites, dining areas, a wine room and a bar. It opens to a jawdropping view out back: a 50-metre saltwater pool that seems to merge into the emerald sea beyond. Elsewhere, 30 villas and suites display influences from South East Asia, from dark teak interiors and Khmer glazed pottery jars to Burmese colonial window frames.
Further south in Bintan, sandwiched between forest and sea, is The Residence. Its 127 terrace rooms and villas are notable for their clean interior design featuring rattan, bamboo, fourposter beds and fresh orchids. Guests have the choice of unwinding in the breezy lobby, with its intricate wood panelling and reflecting pools, at the spa, where the blue upholstery and large blue urns recall the sky, or lounging at the main beachfront pool. Even further down, just off the coast of south-eastern Bintan, the adults-only Cempedak Private Island resembles a tribal village, with crescent roofs made from local grass peeking out from the trees. Its 20 open-faced villas are loaded with Indonesian bamboo, from the thick stalks used for the front doors to spiral staircases that climb to bedrooms. Giant trunks of curved bamboo create an elevated walkway to the dining room, while the four-tiered arengafibre roof of the Dodo Bar cedes to blackpainted bamboo panels within.
About 300 kilometres north-east of Singapore, Bawah Reserve is reached by seaplane. A clutch of private islands with three crystalclear lagoons, hilly Bawah is surrounded by deep blue sea and feels Jurassic in its presence and remoteness. A forked arrival jetty leads into the main island, immediately met by bars and restaurants. Villas are set to the right and left — some in gardens, some by the beach, some overwater — and feature safari-style canvas roofs, playful furniture, lychee-wood vanity counters and recycled copper tubs, sinks and mirrors. The new Elang Private Residence launches this year on one of the resort’s islands as a series of six cliffside lodges, a guest-only clubhouse and a spa, with guests free to access Bawah’s main island just a minutes-long boat ride away.
To get to Amanwana, on the expansive nature reserve that is Moyo Island, visitors arrive via Bali. The property’s 20 safari-style tents come with canvas ceilings, Indonesian art, wooden decks, air-conditioned canopies and neighbours like playful macaques and inquisitive deer. Activities include island treks through the forests and exploring the marine reserve, making Amanwana an ideal place to wander and truly lose yourself.