Club Med Bintan Island

I am desperately seeking a CM to go to this winter, and now Ria Bintan came as an option. Could anyone please tell me which month is better in terms of weather (i.e. rain) and sea safety. And generally speaking, how pleasant is it to swim in the sea? is it usually quite or is it choppy with strong waves. In my last visit to Cherating in January this year I couldn't go even once to the sea beacause of weather/sea conditions!

Lastly, how easy/expensive is it to travel independently and trasfer myself from Singapore airport to Bintan and the resort?

Thanks!

Joseph,


Stick to the summer months when going to RB. The winter is too rough like you said. There is also a very dangerous rip tide on the left side of the beach in the winter.

As for the trsf, I was there in 2002 and it was 45.00. I thought that was too expensive. I can only guess what it is now. The taxi ride from the FT was around 20.00 dollars as well. Hope this helps!

Greg

From Singapore Changi Airport, you need to take a taxi to the ferry terminal at Tanah Merah. Ride should costs us less than USD 8.

Details of timings and fares for Ferry from Tanah Merah to Bintan
can be found at
http://www.brf.com.sg/ifos2/index.jsp

From Bintan ferry to RB. you need to catch a taxi or CM transfer. There's a club med office inside the Bintan terminal bldg as you exit customs. Fare should be around $20-$25

Novemeber is traditionally the start of the monsoon season

Aita Pea Pea

Many many thanks to both. This was really useful!

Joseph

Please let us know what you will finally decide.
In fact, when taking into consideration pros and cons of the possible villages, not many are an option, right?

Again, good luck with your hunting.

In terms of weather, wouldn't Phuket be a better choice? When I was there in January the weather was perfect.

John

The problem is that I have been there twice already and I always try to find somewhere new to go to. The other problem is that since making all CM free drink zones the prices have gone up substantially. And as I hardly use this option (maybe the odd cappucino here and there) it became much more expensive for me. Also I sense that CM tries to make most of the clubs a family holiday destination rather than a place that solo travellers can join, by cancelling the room share option and charging extremely high single supplement (70% in Albion, 50% in Caravelle). This leaves very few places one can go to (one of them is Ria Bintan, but I can now only go there in January when the weather is bad). So it seems I will have to look for another holiday provider. Well, thanks anyhow for all the good help given in this forum!

Lindeman might be hot that time of the year, but is that an option? I was there in May and enjoyed the club.

John

I would LOVE to go to Lindenmans Island (never been there), and to Australia again, but it is really too far for me - 22 hours flight from London!

Joseph,
You are right, Australia is a long way from anywhere. When I went to Lindeman, it meant flying from Chicago to San Francisco to Sydney to Hamilton Island and then the catamaran to Lindeman. I think that it took me over 24 hours flying time. Yes, I was tired, because I had no real stops along the way, just a few hours in airports. If I recall right, Sydney is even 8 hours from Singapore as well. However, Lindeman is certainly one of the more unusual clubs in that there is only the club and the nature reserve on the island. I enjoyed it.

John

Joseph,

How about Kani as an option in January? The weather should be great there at that time.

Speaking about rising costs, the single supplement, compulsory total-all-inclusive, and the (boring) upmarket atmosphere, I've started to sadly think that my days of holidaying at Club Med may well be over. What used to be a "slightly pricey but good value all things considered" holiday option has now become an expensive holiday option. Yes, there are 3 buffet meals, but we don't all really need buffet meals everyday, do we?

Yrs truly
Maukitten

Kani is one of the best CM I have ever been too - I went there just when it was reopened after the big tsunami. I could indeed go there again but considering the rising costs (I agree with every word that you said) maybe I will just try some other type of holiday this time.

<<... maybe, I will just try some other type of holiday this time.>>

What about some time travelling around in Thailand and then, one week at the village Club Med?
This is what I am planning myself. From time to time, I too, need a break and want to do something else than just CMs which, after all, let's face it, are in a way similar, whether in the US, Europe or SE Asia.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Have fun on your holiday, Joseph! Kiki's suggestion sounds great. It would also be a good time to go to Cambodia.

Maukitten

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will probably go to Japan. I haven't been there for 14 years or so and as I lived and worked there for three months back in 1987 it will be interesting to go there again. The plan is 3 days in Tokyo to see some friends and 7 days in Kyoto to enjoy this wonderful city. I thought I could use this opportunity to go also to Kabira but my holidays are usually limited to 10-12 days each time and I am afraid I will be the only one there not speaking Japanese...