The next time you want a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of our concrete jungle, try Bawah Island, the previously uninhabited archipelago that’s three hours away from Singapore. That may seem like a rather long trip compared to the other nearer islands clustered around us — hello, Pulau Ubin/Sister’s Island/St. John’s Island — but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do for peace and quiet. In luxury, we might add. Bawah is apparently accessible by a ferry ride from Batam, followed by a 75-minute private seaplane. The marine conservation area, which sits in the heart of Indonesia’s Anambas Islands, will begin welcoming travelers from July 31.
Featuring five islands, three lagoons and 13 beaches, Bawah only allows a maximum of 70 guests at any one time, which means you won’t have to deal with rowdy crowds ruining your time of solitude (or your Eat. Pray. Love. phase).
As for accommodation, the island offers 35 eco-designed spaces — 21 beach suites, 11 over water bungalows and three garden suites — that serve to be your home away from home. A word of warning though: it all comes at a steep cost. If you and your partner are planning a mere one night’s stay here, be prepared to drop at least $2,000. For that price, you could hop on a plane to Bali for a couple days (just sayin’) — but hey, if you have the cash to splash, go right ahead.
If you’re not the type to laze around, the island offers plenty of water activities such as kayaking, sailing, paddle-boarding, and snorkeling, as well as open-air cinema sessions, forest hikes, a tree top library filled with a collection of natural history, architecture and classic literature books, and a holistic wellness centre for spa treatments and yoga classes.
When you’re done chilling and those hunger pangs come calling, swing by the Tree Top restaurant for dishes created with locally-grown ingredients to an ocean view backdrop. If the night’s still young, unwind with cocktails at watering holes like Grouper Bar, Jules Verne Bar, and Boat House Bar.
Since Bawah is a marine conservation area, no pesticides are allowed, and fishing and anchoring in the waters are forbidden, in order to protect the flora and fauna on the island. The tented suites and public areas are made with bamboo and recycled teak, and recycled copper is used to construct the bath and shower areas — even heavy machinery is prohibited, so everything on the island is made by hand.
How’s that for the ultimate peaceful (albeit expensive) getaway?
Prices start from USD1,960 for two pax per night.
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