Nirwana Beach Club Cabana Resort, Bintan Island

We chose this hotel as we hoped it would be a 'cheap and cheerful' weekend away, but it was just cheap and we wished we had spent a bit more and stayed somewhere nicer. The beach is lovely, but there are only 8 sun beds on the beach so you have to fight for them and there are jelly fish in the sea. The cabins need redecorating and a good clean. The customer service wasn't great. The food was good, but didn't all arrive at the table at the same time, so on one occasion everyone had finished before mine arrived! My advice - stay somewhere else!

I arrived with my elderly mother and toddler in the evening and found the staff very accommodating and helpful. The cabana was clean, comfortable and we slept well, waking early to take a walk on the beach, then to the complementary breakfast buffet which had all the necessary elements: good bread and coffee, fresh fruit and juices, yogurt and many freshly-cooked options, both Western and Asian. We discovered lots to do in the Nirwana complex: great swimming pool, nature walks, other spots to rest and drink fresh pineapple juice, and everywhere folks were extremely friendly and helpful. Overall, we were very satisfied. The specialty fish restaurant was a little disappointing however: all dishes superb except the fish, which tasted "farmed" rather than ocean-caught. I would definitely go back as it's a short haul from Singapore and makes for a nice little getaway. With more time, we would have explored Trikora beach and other spots on the island.