The school holidays have come to an end.
With my daughter’s busy schedule during this holiday, we only managed to leave the country in the final week. Just like last year’s Desaru Coast getaway, we opted for another relaxing beach vacation, this time setting our sights on Bintan Island.
A quick flip through my photo albums reveals a surprising fact: my first visit to Bintan was way back in 1997! I remember booking a bungalow through SAFRA and having a blast with my junior college friends.
Eighteen years flew by in a blink! My last trip to Bintan was a year after our marriage, where we enjoyed a blissful stay at Banyan Tree. Interestingly, I have never invested in Banyan Tree stock, even though I researched it back then. If my memory does not fail me, I wasn’t too impress by its numbers then. Maybe it’s worth another look!
New Hotel, Great Stay
For this vacation, we’re staying at the Four Points by Sheraton. The key reason for this choice is because it’s brand new, having just opened in February of this year. Plus, since it’s part of the Marriott family, I’ll be able to rack up points for our stay!
Here are some highlights from our trip.
We had a wonderful stay at the Four Points by Sheraton. The design reminded me a bit of The Westin Desaru Coast, with a similar modern and relaxing vibe. However, The Westin undeniably has a higher quality finish in the rooms.
A big shoutout to the hotel staff! They were incredibly friendly and always attentive to our needs. While the food wasn’t the cheapest, it offered both high quality and generous portions.
Fun Day Trips
The day trips were decided on the go. Booking through Klook was straightforward and confirmation came within half and hour.
We knew that the Sand Dune and Blue Lake is primarily a photo shoot spot, so we had little expectation. The place turned out bigger than anticipated and we did have fun walking in the open space and taking pictures. Our guide, Ahand, was professional, patient, and offered additional activities without being pushy.
Budget Friendly Fun
In total, I spent less than $1.6k for this trip, well within my $2k budget. It proves that fun doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag! While we enjoyed the day trips, some of our most memorable moments were simply playing old school games like SNAP and Pick Up Sticks in the room.
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