The Indonesian island is a 45-minute ferry ride from Singapore and a popular choice for conference and incentive groups including Barclays, IBM, Microsoft and DHL. Events agencies and the island's hotels can organise express immigration and pre-approved customs clearance for equipment, private fireworks displays, chartered ferries and even an elephant welcome.
LARGE-SCALE EVENTS
Club Med (295) attracts groups with the simplicity of its all-inclusive packages starting from US$390 per person. This includes return transfers from Singapore; welcome drinks on arrival; accommodation; breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets; unlimited snacks and beverages including wine and beer; meeting facilities and equipment; and evening entertainment.
“Our qualifiers had nothing but wonderful things to say about Club Med and its staff,” says Monique Armstrong, distribution division of Great Eastern Life. “Another highlight was the gala dinner at La Terrasse. The view and exclusivity enthralled all and added that special touch to make all qualifiers feel important – the food was also delicious and plentiful. The evening entertainment and mah jong by the pool was a favourite among many.”
The main oceanview restaurant includes two areas that can be blocked for groups, Waterfall (280 seats) and Oriental(240). Coconut Garden is a large lawn area suitable for breakouts, teambuilding, sporting activities and social functions. Delegates’ spouses and families will enjoy the abundant facilities from trapeze stunts to soccer and beach volleyball – all manned (and participated in when necessary) by Club Med staff. The resort also opens an impressive nine-villa spa complex this month.
Nirwana Gardens is a sprawling complex with five accommodation options (418 guestrooms total) from US$74 per person. Its Resort Centre can host 1,800 delegates theatre style and can be partitioned for smaller groups. OCBC held a pyjama party here for 300 delegates in April.
“The full support of the Nirwana Gardens team, their service excellence and attention-to-detail allowed our BG Kick-off Event to be carried out smoothly,” says Derek Lim, deputy director, strategic planning business group, SingTel. “Their never-say-no attitude and great management of the ground team had the venue prepared on time and according to plan. The response to our last-minute request for fans allowed participants to enjoy the afternoon in comfort.”
The Kelong is a traditional overwater venue offering views of the South China Sea and the eponymous floating houses dotting the skyline. It can seat a maximum of 400 people and will be closed off for groups of more than 300 with no booking fee or minimum charge. Delegates will enjoy selecting seafood including crabs and gong gong (sea snails) fresh from the fishing nets hanging in the ocean below.
Bintan Lagoon Resort (421 rooms, all with sea-facing balconies) recently opened 3 Degrees, a new beachfront restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows seating 160 people, with a rooftop venue and bar above for small- to medium-sized groups.
A huge lawn and two poolside areas will suit groups of more than 200 people, one of which has an adjacent undercover area in case of bad weather.
Agnes Cheng, recreation committee, Moet-Hennessy Asia Pacific, says: “The staff made our weekend event a great success. We all had a great time, everyone enjoyed their stay and the teambuilding was well-run.”
The function rooms can host events for 400 people and full-day meeting packages start at US$58 per person. There is also a 25-bay driving range, karaoke centre, laser quest and two championship golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Ian Baker-Finch. The resort will open its new ferry terminal in October, complete with on-site immigration and customs clearance.
CORPORATE RETREATS
Banyan Tree (61) and the recently renovated Angsana Bintan (109) regularly host executive events and tiered incentive programmes for groups including Unilever, BMW and Procter & Gamble.
A representative of Procter & Gamble, says: “Angsana Bintan provided excellent assistance and support during our event. They displayed great teamwork, were fast and responsive, discreet and patient.”
There is also a Greg Norman-designed championship golf course at the co-located Laguna Golf Club. Its eighth hole is the site for Dinner at 8, Banyan Tree’s spectacular seaview Dining Destination experience (US$149 per person) for up to 50 people, and recently enjoyed by BP Singapore.
Treetops and Cliff Bar are breathtaking venues for evening functions, while casual beach buffets start at US$55 per person.