The Sanchaya

“Idyllic escape”

We had a lovely two nights escape at the Sanchaya, and absolutely loved the estate and the warm service. We stayed at the Lawan Thai villa. Even though it's the entry level accommodation in the Sanchaya, it's already very luxurious and offers a beautiful view of the lagoon - which is something dif… more

We had a lovely two nights escape at the Sanchaya, and absolutely loved the estate and the warm service. We stayed at the Lawan Thai villa. Even though it's the entry level accommodation in the Sanchaya, it's already very luxurious and offers a beautiful view of the lagoon - which is something different from the suites in Great House if you're planning to spend a lot of time at the beach and pool. It's spacious, the bed's a dream, and the bathroom has all the amenities you'll need. Each room comes with a beach bag, beach slippers, and bathroom slippers. The bathroom slippers are lovely. One minor critique is that the beach slippers do not seem so durable. It might just be me, but mine broke after using it for just a day. The facilities are wonderful, from a well equipped gym, to paddle ball courts, and a yoga pavilion. The pool is large and has a spectacular view. The Sanchaya artisans provide a superb pool basket consisting of water (with lemon!), sun screen, after sun lotion, and face mist. The Sanchaya Spa was excellent, and we recommend the Sanchaya Special if you're willing to splurge. The food is delectable, and special thanks to Executive Chef Sandi who prepared a beautiful two course Indonesian dinner for us - a fish soup and the best garang asem ayam we've had.The breakfast selection is amazing, with a wide choice of á la carte options. We highly recommend the Asian options such as the Mie Goreng and Thai seafood frittata. Our highest compliments go to the staff, or the Artisans of Sanchaya. They set very high standards for service, and their warmth and attentiveness is amazing. Thank you to Greg for the warm welcome and send off, and to Fadil for so generously providing a tour of the estate. We'll certainly be back!

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“11/10”

There are absolutely no notes. This weekend I got to visit the Sanchaya with my mom and we had the most special stay. The entire estate, suite, and staff were amazing and they went above and beyond. Greg, Ricky, Devi, Lina, Ron, Siti & everyone else treated us like we were family. We're already pla… more

There are absolutely no notes. This weekend I got to visit the Sanchaya with my mom and we had the most special stay. The entire estate, suite, and staff were amazing and they went above and beyond. Greg, Ricky, Devi, Lina, Ron, Siti & everyone else treated us like we were family. We're already planning a trip back, which can't come soon enough.

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“Spectacular is an understatement”

Spectacular” is an understatement when talking about The Sanchaya. From the moment you arrive, it feels like stepping into a perfectly curated world: colonial heritage style, lush former-jungle surroundings, a stunning (and huge) pool, beautiful suites, an excellent restaurant and bar, a library, a… more

Spectacular” is an understatement when talking about The Sanchaya. From the moment you arrive, it feels like stepping into a perfectly curated world: colonial heritage style, lush former-jungle surroundings, a stunning (and huge) pool, beautiful suites, an excellent restaurant and bar, a library, and a management welcome that even includes a few words in your own language. Simply a perfect experience. We wanted to spend the last three days of our Singapore trip somewhere relaxing near the beach, and The Sanchaya on Bintan Island, Indonesia was recommended to us. It’s just a one hour ferry ride from Singapore. For the return trip we chose Emerald Class (similar to premium class). Check-in in Singapore was quick and smooth. After arriving at the Bintan ferry terminal, Sanchaya staff take over and suddenly all your worries disappear. They bring you to their private lounge, offer tea or coffee, arrange the visa on arrival, and handle your luggage. While you relax, they also complete your resort check in at the terminal. Once everything is ready, you’re driven to the resort (only about 10 minutes). You’re welcomed by management already fully checked in. You can take a short tour, or go straight to your suite/villa. We went directly to our suite because our daughter didn’t feel well after the ferry ride. Tip: if you’re prone to seasickness, take a pill before the ferry even if the sea doesn’t look rough. We chose a suite because villas have stricter occupancy rules (typically only two people). The suite was enormous: separate living room and bedroom, a huge bathroom with both bathtub and shower, and a large terrace overlooking the pool and beach. The maxi bar is replenished daily and was free, and the suite also had an espresso machine. Breakfast is served in the restaurant and is mostly à la carte, with a smaller buffet selection. The choice is excellent. My advice: skip the Western classics and go for the Asian options more flavor and more memorable. Between 5–6 PM there was a sunset hour with complimentary drinks (I’m not sure if this is included in all rates), and it was a lovely touch. Local in house gin is what I went for, 10/10. The resort itself is breathtaking, art everywhere, unique colonial design, and an atmosphere that feels both grand and intimate. But as always, what truly makes the difference is the people. The staff are beyond attentive, honestly the best I’ve encountered anywhere in the world. Anything you need is handled immediately, and with warmth. We also appreciated the early check-in and late check-out. The only downside was that we visited during the so-called low season with monsoon winds, so the beach wasn’t really usable. That said, it didn’t take away from the overall experience. You simply have to go and see it. We will definitely be back.

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