Club Med Ria Bintan

Best Resort I have ever been

I had done my bookings at Club Med Ria Bintan for 2 nights and 3 days from 16th – 18th July 2009. I paid US$180 per head per day. Though it may look expensive on prima facie but considering Unlimited food, unlimited alcohol ,unlimited snorkeling, unlimited archery, unlimited minigolf, unlimited swimming (basically add unlimited to everything)......and many more activities are included in the cost. Hence it works-out to be at par or may be even cheaper than the resorts of similar grade.

After walking out of the immigration to the Club Med counter at the ferry terminal, everything was taken care off. Me and my wife were directed to the bus of Club Med. It took 20 – 25 mins to reach the hotel.

On arrival we insisted that we need a room with a sea view. It was a pretty long walk from the reception area to the room. Since my wife was 5 months pregnant, she was a bit tired walking all the way. But once we reached our room........ we were so exited……. It was just WOW! With a view of the blue sea and white sand we both were mesmerized. Rooms were good and hygienic. They have a rustic look – and - feel which makes them more exotic and classy. We took a quick bath and went for a lunch.

They have 2 restaurants and 3 bars. All bars continuously server chilling cocktails and mocktails. Restaurant timings are intelligently set in such a way that you will never remain hungry. If incase you miss the lunch at one restaurant you can have it at another. Basically they have alternate timings for both the restaurant. When one restaurant is serving other prepares for the next meal .So you don’t have to race against the time when you are on the vacation. It actually helps you to do activities like snorkeling or play mini golf, etc at your leisure without thinking of rushing to lunch only because the restaurant will close down. This management is something unique I found at Club Med and I should say I was really impressed.

As per my earlier experience in such type of packages where you pay in advance for unlimited food and drinks, the timings are such that they will ensure they screw-up your vacation. I’ll give you very common example, whenever you opt for a package inclusive of stay and breakfast; breakfast is generally upto 10.00am. Now who the f*** wants to go on a vacation and wake up early just because you’ll miss on the breakfast that you have already paid for. If I am on the vacation I don’t want wake up before 9-10pm because we spend our hard earn monies to find escape from the busy city life.

Hotel Staff was exceptionally good. As mentioned earlier that my wife was pregnant and was finding it difficult to walk all the way upto the room, hotel’s room manager shifted us to a room (also with a beautiful sea view) which was close from the main activity area.

Club Med also have a shack on the beach for cocktails (everything on the house - as I told you). So you don’t have to carry your glass to the beach (That’s kewl...is n't it...). It’s a white sand beach. People kayaking and sailing is a great sight to watch. You, yourself can do these activities or just chill on the beach with a glass of wine. Don’t worry if you don’t know kayaking or sailing they have staff to train you.

Unique Quality: When we arrived at Club Med we had a warm welcome by the staff. Staff is full of energy and at your service which makes you feel like home. General Manager himself welcomed all guest and introduced everyone to the staff and the hotel. This was a very good gesture by the Management. I was wondering why he is giving us the orientation lecture on the resort, which I realized later that the Resort is so huge and there are so many activities that one can do that you need to know what is happening where.

Club Med have a team who take care of kids so that couples can have some time of their own….you know what I mean……..hehehe……

The event management team was taking care of kids very well. They were keeping them very much engrossed in the games. So if you have a baby, don’t forget to enquire about baby Club Med. Though it comes with additional cost but it makes parents life much easier. Its basically a babysitting facility that they provide. This is another plus point of Club Med.

Why Club Med?

It is a type of resort where they make you enjoy your vacation. It seems, as if, enjoyment here is the "Rule of the Land".

I loved my experience with Club Med and strongly recommend it to everyone. Right from hospitality to liesure, from service to location, its an amazing place. We stayed for 2 night and 3 days at Club Med. It was such a beautiful place with plenty of activities and fantastic location with a private beach (Check-out my things to do tip) that we did 'nt feel like going outside the resort. We were either in the water snorkeling or chilling with cocktails on the beach.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Related to: Diving and Snorkeling, Beaches, Family Travel

Club Med Ria Bintan Photo: Balcony at Club Med Reception area, Bintan

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