When we first heard about Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach, we were intrigued: a fresh property under IHG’s creative Indigo brand, located just an hour-ish ferry ride from Singapore. We decided to put on our explorer hats and spend some time there, to see whether it lives up to the hype. Spoiler alert: most of it does, but there are trade‑offs. Let’s walk you through everything.
1. What is Hotel Indigo Bintan?
Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach is a newly opened luxury beachfront resort in Bintan, Indonesia, under the IHG group. It blends local maritime culture, modern design, and resort‑style leisure. It’s designed not just as another beach resort, but as a place which reflects the heritage, nature, and relaxed vibe of the Riau Islands.
2. Location & Getting There
The hotel is located in Lagoi Beach, Bintan – a much sought‑after resort region.
It’s about a 10‑minute drive from the Bandar Bintan Telani Ferry Terminal. So once you disembark, you get to the resort pretty quickly.
For many guests, especially those travelling from Singapore, the journey involves a ferry ride of about 60 minutes. That’s convenient and reasonably easy.
For those coming via other Indonesian cities such as Jakarta or via domestic flights to Bintan, travel becomes more complex and may involve additional road or ferry legs.
3. Design & Ambience
3.1 Architectural Inspiration
The resort draws heavily on kelong fishing platforms — those floating wooden structures seen off Malay/Indonesian coasts — with dramatic wooden structures over reflective ponds giving a sense of floating.
Colour palettes, materials like rattan, wood and natural textures are used abundantly. The décor includes nautical accents, maps, local arts and crafts, and references to Bintan’s seafaring and maritime history.
3.2 Atmosphere
The setting is relaxed and resort‑luxury, not pretentious. You feel the vibe of island slow living. The presence of greenery, open spaces, pools, beach, breezes, calm shores, all contribute.
Common spaces such as the lobby, the dining areas, the bars, beach club are done with attention to mood and comfort. Views (sea, sand, palm trees) are integral to the design.
4. Rooms & Suites
4.1 Types & Layout
The hotel has around 120‑121 rooms and suites.
Many rooms have ocean views, private balconies. Some feature an outdoor bathtub or large tubs near windows.
The décor tends to include warm wooden accents, rattan furniture, natural materials, and design touches like maps or soft local art. Bathrooms often have separate shower & toilet sections.
4.2 Our Impressions of Comfort
Rooms are spacious, well‑designed, with good views. The beds, furniture, general comfort level gets praise from guests.
Some small drawbacks reported: delays in room service or food delivery; certain design quirks (like bedside hanging lamps rattling, or issues with phones/amenities) appear in guest reviews.
5. Beach & Pools
The beach is large, sandy, clean. At low tide, there’s more space for walks; at high tide, the waves and sand still make for good beach time.
The water is described as clean; the hotel participates in beach/ocean clean‑up efforts and keeps plastic and debris under control.
There are at least two pools plus a separate kids’ pool. One main infinity‑pool, others closer to rooms. Pools have swim‑up bars, relaxing cabanas.
6. Food & Dining Options
6.1 Restaurants & Bars
SugarBEATS is the main dining area, with a beachfront/poolfront feel. Offers a mix of Western and Indonesian cuisine. Buffet breakfasts include local staples.
Stix Satay Bar is a highlight: open‑flame grilling, skewers, live cook‑front style. Prawn satays with smoked honey glaze, rib eye, local variations. Great atmosphere.
Ocean Kitchen offers coastal café style, seafood inspired by local fishing tradition.
Bars include casual pool bars, beach club vibes, some live music or DJ sets in evening.
6.2 Breakfast & Snacks
The breakfast spread is generous: mix of local (nasi lemak, porridge, fish, veg) and Western options. Fresh fruit, breads, pastries.
Drinks: non‑alcoholic cocktails, interesting local infuse flavours (coconut, lemongrass), taro latte, etc.
7. Activities & Wellness
The resort offers traditional craft workshops: for example, making a tanjak head‑gear, songket weaving, handicrafts.
More energetic options include golf, kayaking, ATV rides, beach sports, fitness centre that’s open 24 hours.
Spa: the Sunjivva Spa is in the neighbouring Holiday Inn (same ownership group), considered one of the best massages/stays in years by some guests.
8. Service & Staff
Staff friendliness is repeatedly praised. Welcoming, helpful, warm in greeting, and generally solicitous.
Some operational teething pains: food service delays, some confusion in F&B on busy moments; housekeeping occasionally inconsistent during early‑opening period.
Little touches like private waiting lounges at the ferry terminal, arrival iced tea, umbrellas for guests during transit in desk/common areas.
9. Family or Couple‑Friendly?
For couples: lots of romance, privacy (balcony ocean views, tubs, quiet beach walks), fine dining, relaxing ambiance. Highly recommended.
For families: there are pools for kids; beach is safe; but no dedicated kids’ club in Indigo itself (some mention of children’s pool). Some guests felt the kids’ programmes or spaces are limited.
Sharing of facilities with Holiday Inn next door is restricted—it’s not entirely seamless for families expecting access to sibling‑hotel amenities.
10. What We Liked Most
The design: fresh, modern, thoughtful, using local culture rather than generic “resort tropes.”
Beach & pools: clean, scenic, not over‑crowded in many reports.
Views from rooms, outdoor bathtubs, spacious layouts.
Good food choices, especially satay bar, seafood, artisanal touches in drink/menus.
Friendly staff, small but meaningful touches (lounge at ferry, arrival welcome etc.).
11. What Could Be Better
Some delays and inconsistency in service when it’s busy (restaurant waits, food temp, orders mix‑ups).
A few design annoyances in rooms (e.g. rattling lamps, phone connectivity, odd layout in certain fixtures).
Limited dining options: a few guests wished there were more food variety, more restaurants or more frequent opening times.
For families with kids, the absence of full kids’ club or more dedicated child‑friendly offerings is a downside.
Some guests report issues with certain amenities (housekeeping times, supply of towels etc).
12. Value for Money
We believe that, given its brand new status, desirable location, thoughtful design, and strong beach/pool/amenity offering, it’s priced fairly. You’re paying for more than just a room: you’re paying for ambiance, views, well‑curated food, culture, and experiences.
If you demand flawless service or large variety of kids’ facilities, you might feel some things are missing. But if your priorities are rest, relaxation, views, comfort, and style, then this hotel delivers quite well.
13. Comparisons & Alternatives
Compared to nearby resorts in Lagoi, Indigo stands out for its design and “Instagrammable” spaces.
If you don’t mind older or more classic resorts, there may be cheaper options—but possibly at the cost of newer design or certain modern amenities.
Holiday Inn next door offers larger scale family‑oriented features. May be better for multi‑generational families or guests who want all‑round kids’ facilities.
14. Final Thoughts
Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach is a strong contender among new luxury beachfront resorts in Indonesia. It balances design, comfort, beach vibes, and cultural touches in a way that feels fresh rather than formulaic. Yes, there are small glitches here and there—they’re understandable for a hotel that is still early in operations— but they do not overshadow the overall positive experience.
If you’re seeking a tranquil beach getaway, sensory delights (good food, nice design, relaxed pace), and are okay with some things being perfect but a few others just very good, this is a place to strongly consider.
FAQs
Is Hotel Indigo Bintan worth the trip from Singapore?
Yes — for travellers looking for a quick island escape with style, comfort, and beautiful beach vibes, it’s very much worth the ferry ride.Which room is best for views and experience?
A Premium Ocean View room with outdoor bathtub or suites with large windows and balconies are the top choices for views and ambience.Is the hotel good for families with children?
Partly. There are family‑friendly features like kid‑friendly pools and spacious rooms, but there is no major kids’ club in Indigo itself, so younger children might want more activity options elsewhere or in nearby resorts.How’s the food quality and variety?
Generally very good. Local Indonesian and seafood options are highlights; satays at Stix are praised, as are many breakfast items. But variety is not limitless; busy periods may see slow service.When is the best time to visit?
Dry season months are preferable to avoid heavy rains. Also, non‑peak times help ensure fewer crowds, more serene beach and pool experiences. Room rates often lower and service smoother during less busy days.
