Bintan Resorts has unveiled ambitious plans to develop a 1,300-hectare patch of land between its current developments on the northern coast of the island.
What is it?
The Lagoi Bay development broke ground in 2008 and developers are now ready to reveal more detailed plans. First piles went in for the shopping mall and Pantai Indah villas last year. A hospitality training academy also opened in 2010. The owners are keen to see Bintan’s current inventory of 1,300 guestrooms edge toward the 40,000 plus of Bali and Phuket.
What are the biggest developments?
The beachfront stretch will be taken up by 11 luxury hotel developments including Bali villa favourite, Alila. Management contracts for most have not yet been assigned. The Landmark Group will include a convention centre as part of its project.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited in April and approved a site for development as an airport catering for private and charter aircraft. This will be open in 2014. Much-demanded helicopter transfers from Singapore remain elusive, the tight regulations governing the country’s airspace mean the flight takes 45 minutes, just 15 minutes less than the ferry. However, new routes are under discussion as are ferries to Marina Bay. A theme park, race track, watersports area and marina are also underway.
What’s ready now?
The current ferry transfer process has received a boost with new business-class lounges and (soon) on-board immigration. The new ferry terminal at Bintan Resorts is ready for business.
www.lagoibaybintan.com