Nestled amid lush untouched greenery with a private beach on its borders, The Sanchaya is a luxury beachside resort for those needing a quick getaway from the city hubbub, with the emphasis on ‘quick’

Picture this: feeling refreshed after a restful night of sleep, you step out onto the outdoor terrace right by your bedroom; it’s barely dawn, yet already bright outside. What greets you is a symphony of sounds—the whispering of birdsong and insects chirping, and the faint rustle of trees in the gentle breeze. The crisp, fresh air carries the earthy scent of damp morning dew, and as your gaze stretches over the manicured greenery, something catches your attention: a glimpse of sparkling seawater on the horizon. In that instant, an inexplicable urge takes over, pulling you towards the beach. Mere moments later, you’re there—ankles kissed by the cool waves of the South China Sea, toes sinking into fine white sand, while the gentle warmth of the rising sun wraps your back.

sanchaya beach — Sip on a fine cocktail or enjoy a book in the cabanas on the fine white sands and azure waters of the private beach at The Sanchaya. Photo by The Sanchaya

That was me at The Sanchaya. Ambling along the shores of its private beach, with vacant sunbeds and beachside cabanas amplifying the serenity of the scene, I was struck by a realisation: I’ve never experienced this level of tranquillity before. And it was really, really nice.

Opened in 2014, The Sanchaya is an exclusive beachfront estate in Bintan. A 50-minute ferry ride from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, and a 10-minute chauffeured drive to the resort, The Sanchaya houses a collection of 29 villas and suites, each uniquely designed and decorated to reflect the eclectic mosaic of its South-east Asian neighbours.

the great house — The Great Houses facilities like The Dahlia Salon, The Decanter and Library, the Dining Room, and the Bar. Photo by The Sanchaya

Past the property’s meandering driveway lined with manicured shrubs stands a stunning monochromatic colonial-style structure, aptly named The Great House. Refurbished last year, it is the centrepiece of the estate, surrounded by social areas on the ground level–the Dining Room, the bar, a library, boardrooms, and even a wine cellar.

Vanda Villa is the palatial beachfront residence, designed as a chic reinterpretation of Singapore’s colonial black-and-white houses. It is nestled amidst luscious tropical gardens on the fringe of the sparkling Indian Ocean. Photo by The Sanchaya

leelawadee — Cocoon yourself, your family and friends in the private Leelawadee compound. Three spacious one-bedroom villas are set around a 17-metre private pool all to yourselves. Photo by The Sanchaya

junior suite — Located on the upper floor of The Great House, the Junior Suites feature a balcony that gazes out over lush manicured gardes and the impressive 50-metre infinity pool, complimented by curated artefacts from around Southeast Asia. Photo by The Sanchaya

sanchaya suite — Enjoy the fresh ocean breeze as you while away the hours on your private verandah with breathtaking views of the ocean and direct beach access. Photos by The Sanchaya

The Junior, and Sanchaya and Verandah suites are located on the second floor. One can choose to soak in the unobstructed views from the private verandas, or a warm bubble bath in the four-clawed bathtub–both of which come standard in every suite. If you are travelling in a larger group, opt to stay in the villas—all with private pools—which come in one- and two-bedroom options, or the breathtaking Vanda Villa that accommodates up to eight adults.

Invigorating Indulgences

croquet sanchaya — The estate offers unparalleled quest experience with award-winning facilities and an ongoing programme of resident experts, who are on site to share their expertise with guests. Photo by The Sanchaya

The Sanchaya offers guests a plethora of activities and amenities that’ll invigorate, excite, or simply help you relax. You can finally enjoy that book you’ve always had no time for, while lounging poolside on a sunbed, or spoil yourself at The Sanchaya Spa. For those seeking something a little more active, the estate’s gym is accessible 24 hours daily, or you can take things up a notch with a game of padel tennis or lawn croquet. A favourite experience of mine? Savouring glasses of wine and cheese at the Decanter, which houses the estate’s wine cellar.

You can fuel yourself up post-activity at The Dining Room any time during the day. Its dine-as-you-wish concept serves up gourmet a la carte breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner menus. For a fiery dinner experience in an al fresco setting, the Tasanee Grill offers tantalising Thai street fare grilled to perfection. An experience not to be missed, though, is the Sunset Hour at the bar’s outdoor lounge overlooking the South China Sea. We can’t think of a better way to enjoy all the colours of a sunset than to sink into a rattan armchair, sipping on an ice-cold, handcrafted cocktail.

The most memorable luxury resorts are measured by their human touch. At The Sanchaya, this notion rings true, with exceptional service that feels warm and almost familiar. My two-night stay at The Sanchaya was short, but I left with a full heart and an invigorated mind… as well as two Mr. Morris mascot plushies purchased from the estate’s boutique.

The plushies are irresistibly cute, but I was sold the moment I found out that the sales proceeds go directly to The Sanchaya’s Mr. Morris Foundation, a charity that supports programmes that include education and scholarships, an orphanage and an elderly home, and environmental protection campaigns. The Sanchaya ticks all the boxes for a restful weekend getaway; one that’s not too far from home, yet feels like what an idyllic dream home ought to be.

The Sanchaya

This story first appeared in the November 2024 issue. Purchase it as a print or digital copy, or consider subscribing to us here