This Private Island Getaway Just Off Bintan Has Reopened; Now Has New Beachfront Pool Villas

It’s been closed for two years, no thanks to the pandemic, but Nikoi Island is finally welcoming guests back once more.

But the 15-hectare private island, which is just off Bintan, isn’t merely reopening — it’s added three spanking new villas that come with their own pools, a first for the private island resort. The resort has a total of 18 villas. 

Two-bedroom beachfront pool villa

The two-storey pool villas are a first in Nikoi and boast beachfront views. Each accommodates up to five people in a master bedroom and a twin room downstairs, and each bedroom has its own ensuite bathroom.

While the other beach houses may not have pools, guests have access to the resort's main pool — and they're just as 'grammable, of course.

Lounge area by a private pool in the villa

Prices start from $630 per night for the new pool villas, or $390 per night for a one-bedroom beach house (book here). Daily board is $95++ per day for adults ($45++ for children) and includes three meals daily (there are no eateries outside the resort on the island) and most activities such as snorkelling, kayaking and kids club activities (parents, rejoice!). Spa treatments are also available for an additional charge.

Nikoi Island

Located 8km off the east coast of Bintan, Nikoi Island is often fully booked out for months, even pre-pandemic. After all, the family-friendly resort has long earned a reputation as the place to go to enjoy barefoot luxury amid unspoiled nature. All 18 IG-worthy villas do not come with TV, phones or air-conditioning (yes, there is wi-fi, though).

The journey to Nikoi takes about two-and-a-half hours from Singapore. To get there, visitors will have to take a ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, which takes about an hour, followed by a one-hour car transfer to Nikoi Jetty, and finally, a 20-min boat ride from the jetty to Nikoi island. Round-trip transfers between Bintan ferry terminal and Nikoi Island is $95++ ($48++ for kids).

Photos: Nikoi Island