A to Z Guide to Club Med Bintan for Family

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Club Med is famed for their all inclusive holidays. From the moment you set foot on the resort to the day you leave, you can be assured that everything is taken care of. From transfers to the resort, meals , activities , accommodation and entertainment, everything had been plan carefully during your stay. As a family, we had yet to experience Club Med. Thus when the door knocked, we gleefully accepted the invitation to experience Club Med Bintan. It was hard to resist a holiday where we do not need to plan months ahead for. It was refreshing to simply pack our bags and go!

We reckon most travelers would at least want to know what to expect in the resort, so this A-Z guide to Club Med Bintan would be most useful.
Arrival
Bintan Ferry
To kick of the list, we start by getting you to Club Med Bintan. It's a simple 2 steps process

1 ) Take a Ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal . You can book your tickets here.
Club Med Bintan Island
2) When you arrive, look for the Club Med Bintan Island counter. If you had book transport with the resort, it will be arrange to whisk you off to your dream holiday.

Do note that ferries are not included in the package while transfers are.

Beach
Beach
The long stretch of Beach just in from of the hotel is simply gorgeous. The water is clear, the sand is fine, the beach is clean. It could stand on its own against regional beaches of Bali and Phuket. The plus point is that it is not busy and everyone has their own space.

The beach at Club Med is world class. It may not be a private beach, but the main access is from the Resort.
Sunrise at Club Med
It is also a great place to watch the sunrise if you can wake up early. Loungers and parasols provided. If you are thirsty, there is a beach bar serving up free drinks!

Club Med Bintan
Club Med Bintan
Club Med Bintan was established in October 1997. It has 1230 acres of land and includes a 27 hole golf course (optional extra).

You probably can't tell at the entrance, but there are acres of fun within its compound. Club Med is located about 15 minutes from Bandar Bentan Telani (Bintan ferry terminal).

The official address as follows

CLUB MED BINTAN ISLAND
SITE A11 LAGOI BINTAN ISLAND
Phone: (62) 770 692 801Fax: (62) 770 692 826

Entrance
Do everything or do nothing
Water aerobics
Club Med is well known for its organized activities for both adults and children.For adults, try your hand in archery, water aerobics, beach volley ball, water polo, tennis, badminton, mini soccer, table tennis , windsurfing, kayaking, golf lessons and lots more.
Water aerobics at Club Med
There are specialized activities for kids too. We had seen dance lessons, foam party, arts and craft events specially tailored for the little ones.
Activites for kids
You can even choose to do some activities as a family. There are slots for family for archery, trampoline and mini soccer. Don't forget to check the activities schedule posted on Level one near the 24 hour Santai Bar.
Archery @ Club Med
If you prefer some quiet time alone, there is no stopping you. A quiet stroll along the beach is just as inviting as the whirlwind of activities on the resort.
Walk on be beach
Excursion
Discovery Center
If you are staying for a longer period and would like to explore Bintan, the discovery center will be the place to go. Located on level 4 near the entrance, you can book a trip to the Mangrove Swamp, local fishing trip, Elephant park or Eco tour. Frankly during our 4 days stay in Bintan, wanderlust disappear. Afterall there is so much to do in the resort itself!

Food
Appetizer
If you are a foodie, you will step into paradise in Club Med Bintan.
Main Course
Food is available from 7am to 9pm around the resort. Take your pick from Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indonesian and Western fare. The best part, most of them are free. Extra optional include lobsters, private dining and selected alcoholic beverages. Personally we thought that whatever is provided is more than sufficient for our fill... Burp!
Kids meal
For those travelling with kids, you will be glad to know that Club Med Bintan is well aware of the children exquisite taste for food. There are spaghetti, nuggets, pizza, hotdogs and ice cream found in most meals.
Yummy food
Kids are also given a 'balanced tray' to encourage them to choose food that gives them a balance diet. This meant a fuss free meal with kids every time!
Hearty Breakfast
Gentil Organisateur (GO)
Warm Welcome by the GO
The staff at Club Med are known as Gentil Oranisateur or GO for short. Even before your arrival , you will be greeted by warm smiling and waving GO at the lobby.
These multi-talented crew not only ensure you have a great time at the resort, but they also doubled up as entertainers. We had seen some staff hosting dinners, teaching aerobic classes and then performing circus acts during an evening dinner. They are the ambassadors of Club Med Spirit and worthy of the title.
All I can say is that I am impressed with their outgoing personality and talent. Bravo ,GO, Bravo.
The excellent GO
Gentils Membres
The Village Head Marcos and the mini GM
As for the guests , the GM (Gentils Membres), each one of them are treated like special guest. I was quite surprise some GO can remember the boys names even though they had only minimum interaction with them during the initial welcome.

Happy thoughts
Happy thoughts
When you are in a place like Club Med, you just want to forget your worries. Filled your head with happy thoughts and happy memories will flow from your stay.

(All) Inclusive
All inclusive
At Club Med, your needs are well taken care off. It's all inclusive packages includes transfers, meals, accommodation, activities and entertainment. You do not need to pay a single cent for water-sport activities such as windsurfing and kayaking, or specialized activities such as archery and golf lessons. Free food and drinks are included. There are optional extra such as golf courses, massages and private dinners. During our stay , we were so engrossed with the activities planned that we hardly need to opt for the extras.

Everything is plan for you, you just need to pack your bags and you are good to go.

Jump for Joy , Live the Moment
Jump for joy
The best way to enjoy Club Med is to live the moment. Do whatever you fancy and it would mean a wonderful experience. Honestly after years of planning for trips, I was glad I did not have to sweat the small stuff during this one.

Kids Club
Entrance to Kids Club

Club Med Bintan has 3 exclusive clubs for your little ones.There is the Petit Club Med, Mini Club Med and Juniors Club Med.

Petit Club is for children age 2 to 3 and is an optional extra. Mini club is for age 4-10 while Junior club is for age 11-17 (Only available during school holidays)
Outdoor playground
The Petit and Mini Club is housed on level 4. There is an outdoor playground, swimming pool and air conditional rooms for different age groups.
Swimming pool
Activities are arranged around the kids club. Lunch is also provided. The mini club is opened from 9 to 530 pm 6 days out of 7. You can choose to pick your child anytime during this period.

The mini club is opened from 9 to 530 pm 6 days out of 7. You can choose to pick your child anytime during this period.

Parents are given a schedule for the day as there will be activities held throughout the resort.
Children's event @ Club Med
Parents are given a schedule for the day as there will be activities held throughout the resort.

At the end of the stay, the kids who registered for mini club will get a mini club diploma !
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La Boutique
La Boutique
Shopping is limited to La Boutique and the Golf proshop. We do think a stop at La Boutique is great for those who wants a special 45 or 88 branded Club Med merchandise. 45 stood for Club Med 45 year anniversary while 88 is branded base on Chinese symbol for luck.

The Wacky Duo are in the picture for illustration only. They are not for sale at La Boutique.

Make your own activity
Bocce
If you think need more activities in the resort, go make one yourself. It could be a swim in the pool, a run on the beach or a game of bocce. During our 4 days stay in the resort, we were totally occupied with things to do around us.

Night time entertainment
Bintan 2015
One of the best kept secrets in Club Med is their evening entertainment.
Circus
From extravagant circus acts in the pool to indoor comedy acts, you will be entertain every night!
Circus Act in Bintan

Chef Parade
Every night brings a different form of entertainment. You will not be able to anticipate what is coming up.

We watched rock impersonators from the talented GO,
Titanic
Comedy night at the pool,
Comedy Night
to performances by the Little GM themselves.
GM in action.
The little GM has only one day to prepare and they did put up one cute performance which includes an acrobatic act.
Little GMs
Open bars
Panorama Bar

There are 4 bars at Club Med Bintan.

Club Panorama, The Santai bar, Matahari Bar and the Bagus Bar . Timings differ for each bar so we do suggest you check with the resort.


View from Panoramic Bar

Sodas, fruit juice, hot drinks (coffee, tea, herbal teas, hot chocolate, cappuccino),local and international spirits, wines, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, local specialities.

Not all alcoholic drinks are free, so do check with the staff.
Matahari Beach Bar
There is even a corner for kids at The Santai Bar. Do check out the drinks selection meant for kids. Non Alcoholic of course.
The Santai Bar
It is great when parent and child can share a drink together.
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Photos - take loads of memories or let the club do it for you

Photo Memories from Club Med
Do not forget your camera! If you do, there are roaming Club Med photographers who may capture your moment of fun. Get the photos printed for a nominal fee.

Quick getaway
 
Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal
The total time it took from customs to the resort is a mere 2 hours. It is one of the quickest way to have a vacation from Singapore!

Restaurant
The Waterfall
There are 2 main restaurants in the resort. Dine at the Waterfall in the main building or the exclusive Terrace located at the resort far end for late afternoon snacks and dinner. For dinner at the Terrace, do book early at the Waterfall as spaces are limited. The Waterfall offers buffet style dinner while the Terrace provide set menu for dinner.

Occasionally, there might be special nights where you can dine at the pool side and enjoy a performance from the GO.
Pool Side Dinner
Swimming pools

There are 2 main pools of different sizes in Club Med . Regardless of the one you choose, it is the perfect spot to get sun kiss.

There is another smaller pool at the Kids Club , but that is only exclusively for kids. For family time, the main pool will be your destination.

Do note for towels, you will be given a card to bring along to exchange for a towel upon check in. Don't forget to bring them when you head to the pool.
Club Med Card for towels
Trapeze and Trampoline
Trapeze
Club Med is famous for its circus act. GM are invited to be part of this circus adventure with daily swings at the Trapeze or jumps at the trampoline. I had personally tried the Trapeze and I can say that it is alot more challenging than it looks!
Trampoline
Utopia ( Massage time )

Complete your experience with a trip to the Club Med Spa by Asmara located next to the Terrace.

Sap menu available here.

Views
The view
Most of the rooms comes with a view of the South China Sea. It is amazing to wake up to the sound of waves.

Wifi
Wifi is provided. If there is one flaw I would pick, it would be the Wifi reception. It comes on and off at intermittent times. Still it is suffice for us to upload and update our instagram.
Actually we welcome the break from the virtual world so that it allow us more time to indulge in the Club Med Lifestyle.
Follow us on Instagram


X Factor
X Factor
Speaking of Club Med Lifestyle , it will be one that will be difficult to duplicate in other resorts. Here you will be living in a village where everyone congregates in harmony. It is an X Factor that makes Club Med great!

Zzzz (Accommodation)
Accomodation
Club Med Bintan has 3 different accommodation to choose from. There is the Deluxe , Club and Suite rooms.
Deluxe Room
The rooms comes with connecting and non connecting options. If you are going with your children, don't forget to opt for the connecting rooms.Lastly to add to the charm of Club Med, there will always be a little surprise in the form of towel art at the end of every room refresh. It is these little surprises that makes a stay at Club Med special.
Little Surpise
Promotion :

Kids Stay Free!

Club Med is the perfect destination to be this coming Holidays. This school break, the little ones will beam with delight with wide range of sports and leisure activities to child-friendly programs, nightly entertainment for all, and delectable dining options. The best part... they go for FREE with every paying adult. Price from $690.

Booking Period: By 30 June 2015Travel Period: Up to April 2016
Resorts : Bintan Island, Bali , Cheraing Beach, Phuket (Minimum 3 nights stay)
If you would like to head further, join the Summer holidays package for a great offer! Adults from $690 and kids from $269

Booking Period: By 30 June 2015Travel Period: Up to April 2016
Resorts : Kain , Gulin (Minimum 3 nights stay)


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Booking Period: 30 June 2015
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Disclosure
The Wacky Duo was provided a 4Days 3Nights experience in Club Med Bintan. Our A-Z guide is base on our experiences at Club Med Bintan. All opinions are of our own.


8 comments:

  1. Hi, thumbs up for the wonderful post of Club med Bintan! It will be great if you may provide some info regarding "what to and what not to bring" during the stay at the resort. :) Highly appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hi Izaak
      That is easy... bring your swimwear, clothes on your back and some, suntan lotion and you are done!
      Anything else will be depending on your need.

      Delete

  2. Hi! Thanks for the post! Been contemplating a Club Med holiday with kids but haven't done one with them yet :). Would like to know if it is a must to have 2 rooms if we are travelling with young kids ages 5&7? Also package are all inclusive but if we do not consume alcohol at all cost will still be the same I suppose hahah? Otherwise, I think the kids will enjoy the activities and programs there. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Welcome . You would probably need 2 rooms but best check with club med . Cost is the same regardless of drinks consume :)

      Delete

  3. Do u know how early we need to reach to teneh merah ferry terminal before departure?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. It should be 1.5 Hours before departure . Best check here https://www.brf.com.sg/schedule-fares/ferry-schedule/

      Delete

  4. if we did need money what currency would we need> are American dollars accepted? do we have to bus to the ferry from the airport?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Best check with the staff . I do recall reading somewhere that Indonesia only accept rupiah

      Delete

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