Nirwana Gardens is a full service Resort on the island of Bintan, Indonesia. It is roughly an hours ferry ride from the 'island city' of Singapore. So if you want a resort with many activities, then Nirwana Gardens should fit the bill. If you're into a more secluded and quiet resort, have a look at my post about Turi Beach Resort.
After you get off the ferry and clear customs and immigration, there is a bus service to and from the resort. If you have to wait, there are souvenir and snack shops you can check out to pass the time. The bus ride is a short one, roughly 15 min, and when you reach the resort and alight, you will be greeted with a welcome dance by a handful of staff and offered tea on your way to the check in counter which is off to the side. The open air lobby is quite spacious and houses a small eatery with a patio, some local art decor and souvenir stands are some of the other things you can see as you step off the bus. There are also a few gift shops in the building as well as the buffet restaurant downstairs. There's so much to do I'm at a loss as to where to start.
Let's start with the activities slightly away from the lobby. From the Resort lobby if you take a roughly 5 minute walk up an incline, you will come across an open air gym where basketball and badminton can be played. Beside this gym is a larger building and in there you will find "duty free" type shops, a 10 pin bowling alley, a bar with karaoke, a fitness center and a food court with outdoor seating. This outdoor patio over looks a field where archery is offered, a zip line, paintball area, horse and carriage trail ride (for kids) and beyond that is the beach with usual beach activities like kayaking, jet skies, para sailing etc. Just out of sight from the patio is the area where the elephants are. These elephants and their Mahouts (trainers) offer picture opportunities, feeding sessions and rides.
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Off to the side of the resort lobby is a small trail where you will find yourself walking through a small zoo with an assortment of animals such as reptiles (huge constrictors and white crocs!), birds of prey, parrots, asian deer etc. The animals all looked healthy and their enclosures were clean and well maintained.
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Within the resort premises are large grass areas where people play soccer or just hang out on, underneath patches of coconut trees and if you have smaller children, there's a children's playground as well. The pool is large and the beach, with mini wooden soccer goals set up, is just a few paces away. Some of the beach areas may be fenced off due to turtle nests which is really cool and apparently if you go at the right season you can catch the releasing of baby turtles into the sea. Some of the other areas/activities (that we knew about) but didn't check out are the beach villas, undersea walking, Segway and ATV rentals and fishing (in a pond) area. We also gave the other dining establishments which were within walking distance a miss but if you're a foodie, you shouldn't be disappointed with choices.
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This resort is very much a family orientated resort with plenty to do for people of all ages and levels of adventure. Although it is not as secluded or vacant as other resorts, you can still plenty of areas where you can get your quiet and alone time at this resort.
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Ray
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