This Little Season

April 2025

We didn’t have grand plans for the Easter weekend — just a hope to unplug and spend time at the pool. But our 3D2N escape to Bintan ended up ticking so many boxes: pool time, wildlife spotting, delicious seafood and a magical boat ride under the stars.

Instead of heading straight to the hotel, we made a quick stop at Pujasera Food Centre, a local hawker centre about 10 minutes from Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal. This little enclave is as local as it gets — surrounded by a couple of provision shops, a backpackers’ hostel, and D’Bintan Spa, a more affordable massage spot compared to the resorts.

The hawker centre is best known for Lamak Basamo, one of the best nasi padang stalls on the island. But sadly, it wasn’t open yet when we arrived at around 9am. We settled for Indomie, which turned out to be yummy, and a very bland plate of fried rice for the kids.

We stocked up on drinks, bought a few toys to keep the kids entertained, and even picked up Indomie and fresh eggs (yes!) to cook in our room later — because honestly, nothing hits the spot quite like slurping instant noodles in a hotel room.

We arrived at Holiday Inn Resort Bintan way earlier than the official check-in time, but the hotel reception kindly allowed us to check in early — probably helped that we had two visibly tired kids with us. It was such a relief to head straight to our room and start settling in without the usual wait.

The resort is one of the newest on the island, and it shows — stunning, well-intentioned design, thoughtful family-friendly touches, as well as a beautiful pool and mini waterpark that the kids couldn’t wait to dive into.

Poolside bliss

I have to admit — I wasn’t expecting much from a Holiday Inn. I always thought of it as a reliable, no-frills kind of chain. But Holiday Inn Resort Bintan completely flipped that impression. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s the gem of the Holiday Inn family.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear this was something special. We were greeted by a beautifully landscaped pond that instantly made us feel like we were on holiday. Check-in was a breeze (thankfully early too!), and then we were led to our Pool Access Room. Naturally, it was situated on the ground floor. Later, we found out that they put use in the blocks nearest to Mangrove House, the biggest kids club in Bintan. Whether that is coincidence or consideration, we weren’t sure but it was such a bonus.

The room itself was spanking new — beautiful, clean, and thoughtfully designed. Later in the day, the hotel staff would set up an extra bed for our eldest, which fit comfortably without making the space feel cramped.

What caught my eye was the unique layout: there was a counter that cleverly combined the sink with the pantry and mini fridge. It’s not a typical hotel room setup, but I actually loved it. The whole space gave off service apartment vibes, and the combined counter space made it really convenient for everything from brushing teeth to whipping up a quick bowl of Indomie. Practical, stylish, and very family-friendly.

When we drew the curtains open, that’s when the real magic started.

The moment the kids saw the pool, they scrambled to change into their swimsuits so they could jump in immediately — never mind the midday sun. They splashed around in with squeals of delight. The pool instantly became their world: mermaid make-believe, floaty races, and joyful shouts echoing off the water. By the end of the afternoon, they’d even made a new little friend from next door, bonding over splashes and shared pool toys.

The best part? As our terrace opened directly into the pool. It honestly felt like we had our own private pool, separated just enough from the public one to feel peaceful, but still close enough that we could see the energy beyond. And somehow, even when more families arrived later, it never felt crowded.

It was while we were splashing around that we realised something: we could actually swim straight to the water park just outside the Mangrove House. So that’s exactly what we did. The kids were thrilled — they spent ages going up and down the water slides, squealing with laughter each time they landed with a splash.

Just nearby was Kokonut, a cheerful little snack bar just for kids — and honestly, such a clever touch. Midway through all the swimming and sliding, we took a break and ordered a plate of fries and a mango smoothie to share. Sitting poolside, towel-wrapped and sun-warmed, sipping on that smoothie was such a simple but perfect moment. The kids re-fueled, and within minutes, they were back in the water!

Big fun for little ones

After the swim, we brought the kids to check out the Mangrove House, the resort’s dedicated kids’ club. We’d actually chosen Holiday Inn partly because of it. The daily schedule of activities looked promising. Depending on the day, kids could join in activities like bracelet-making, kids yoga, kite decorating and flying, sandcastle building, or even themed sessions like “Little Big Hotelier” and Monggu souvenir making (Monggu is their monkey mascot!). There were also movie times, storytelling sessions and painting workshops.

Inside, the play space seemed more thoughtfully designed than what we’d seen at other resorts on the island. There were two play zones, with one area with padded walls and soft flooring catering more to toddlers and one area with climb structures and slides for older kids. There is also a small room for movie screenings.

Plenty of resorts in Bintan offer kids’ clubs, but not all of them are created equal. Some spaces felt a little dated or quiet when we were doing our research, and their activity schedules weren’t as consistent. The Mangrove House, on the other hand, was bright, cheerful and full of things to explore. It felt like a place the kids would genuinely enjoy spending time in — not just a room to park them while the adults relax.

That said, we didn’t feel totally comfy leaving either of our kids there on their own. There were a few boisterous kids playing quite roughly, and our eldest actually tripped and fell at one point. We tried asking for a plaster, which turned out to be a bit more complicated than expected. The staff helped to wash the wound, but didn’t have a basic plaster on hand — they eventually found a different type, but it took a while.

For a kids’ club that’s otherwise so thoughtfully done, I really hope they’ll keep a well-stocked first aid kit close by. Would give us slightly anxious parents some peace of mind!

We also got to try kite making, and honestly, we were so happy to do this—how often do you get to make and fly your own kite in Singapore? The staff handed out colourful blank kites, and each child got to decorate theirs with markers and stickers. Once the masterpieces were done, we headed out to the grassy field nearby to launch them into the sky. It was such a simple but joyful activity!

Kelong dinner & fireflies tour

We booked our kelong dinner and fireflies tour as a package, which made things really easy — our driver picked us up directly from the resort and brought us straight to Bintan Mangrove, the jump-off point for both the mangrove tours and the evening fireflies experience.

When I was doing my research beforehand, a lot of the information online felt quite vague. So here’s what I wish I’d known: whether you’re doing the mangrove or fireflies tour (day or night), you’ll be heading to the same place — Bintan Mangrove. Once there, it’s just a short walk from the drop-off point to a small jetty where the boats are docked.

From the jetty, boats from two kelong restaurants — Kampoeng Kelong and Kelong Mangrove — ferry diners back and forth. You can usually choose either one to have dinner at before your fireflies tour. Honestly, don’t visit the kelong restaurants expecting too much. They’re basically offering seafood dishes that are rendered zhi char style at a more affordable price point than your hotel dinner.

We ordered black pepper crab, hotplate tofu, fried rice and sambal kangkong — all of which were decent and satisfying, especially after a long day. We skipped the soup, though, given the tap water situation. The final bill was reasonable, so no complaints there.

What really made the experience special was the setting. The kids got to enjoy a 10-minute boat ride out to the kelong — a first for them — and were wide-eyed at the idea of dining out at sea, under the night sky, with the resident kelong cat weaving between tables.

From what we saw, Kelong Mangrove seemed like a much bigger setup, glowing brightly in the distance. It looked livelier and probably caters more to large tour groups, while Kampoeng Kelong felt quieter and a little more personal — which suited us just fine.

That said, a quick note on safety: while everyone was given a life jacket, our 3-year-old was handed an adult-sized one, which honestly wouldn’t have helped much if anything had gone wrong. It felt like a bit of a box-ticking exercise — everyone wore them, but no one really checked sizing or fit (many buckles were spoilt, I had to tie a knot at one point). The boats do run like clockwork and the waters were calm, but if you’re traveling with young kids, do try to spot kids-sized life jackets early and grab them quickly when they get tossed onto the jetty bench.

Thankfully, for the fireflies tour, it was a different story. The guide provided proper kid-sized life jackets, and I can’t tell you how relieved I was when they actually fit well. After our earlier kelong experience, it felt reassuring to know the kids were properly secured—especially since we were about to head out into the pitch-black mangrove waters.

From the moment we left the jetty, it was total darkness — no lights, no camera flashes, just the soft hum of the boat and the sounds of the mangrove. We don’t have any photos from this part of the trip (for good reason!), but that made it even more special. It forced all of us — adults and kids alike — to be fully present. For the first time in forever, I looked up instead of down at my phone, and the sky was glittering with stars.

And what followed was nothing short of magical. As our guide led us slowly along the river, tiny fireflies began to appear, blinking like fairy lights strung along the trees. “Look at our Christmas trees,” the guide said, chuckling. We marvelled at how their soft glow lit up the riverbanks in the most gentle, otherworldly way.

The guide took the time to explain the fireflies’ behaviour, even pointing out nut trees, where they tend to gather in large numbers. He made sure everyone had a chance to cup a few gently in our hands — just for a moment, before letting them go. He kept catching fireflies and passing them to my kids, making their night completely unforgettable.

We’ve heard about how the firefly tours in Desaru We’d heard from friends about how the firefly tours in Desaru are run — more of a passive experience, where you simply sit in the boat and observe the fireflies from a distance. There were also no life jackets provided, which felt like a bit of a red flag for families with young kids.

In contrast, Bintan’s tour was interactive, safe, and full of heart. It was, without question, the highlight of our entire trip.

Read more about our Bintan family trip!

3D2N Bintan Easter Weekend Getaway Part 2 – A Wild Day Out & One Happy Birthday Girl

3D2N Bintan Easter Weekend Getaway Part 3 – Sweet, Sunny Start & Slow Goodbyes

Review: Holiday Inn Resort Bintan – A Family-Friendly Gem with Pool Access Rooms & Kids Spa