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Telunas Private Island, a Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World: A Restorative Stay in Indonesia's Riau Islands
RIAU ISLANDS
Sometimes the best luxury is simply switching off. Just 50 kilometres south of Singapore, in Indonesia's Riau Islands, Telunas Private Island offers exactly that: a small, barefoot-luxe hideaway of just 20 villas, where days are measured by the tides rather than by notifications.
Telunas Private Island is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It sits across the water from its sister property, Telunas Beach Resort, which was established by three American families on the neighbouring Sugi Island. The Private Island followed in 2014, offering a quieter, more refined stay for couples and families, with no more than around 40 guests on the island at any one time. We came from Singapore for a few days of rest, and left feeling reset.
All images are courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Location and Getting There
From Singapore, guests take the Sindo Ferry from HarbourFront Centre to Sekupang in Batam, a journey of around an hour. Telunas asks guests to book the 10am ferry so the team can coordinate the onward transfer, and to forward their ferry ticket to the resort in advance (or you can ask the hotel to book it for you and it will be charged to your bill).
At Sekupang, the Telunas team met us after immigration and walked us from international arrivals to the domestic departures area. From there, we boarded the resort's boat for a scenic hour-long ride through the islands of the Riau archipelago to the private island.
A note on visas: your passport must be valid for more than six months from your arrival date. As a British passport holder, I needed a visa, and I bought a visa on arrival at Sekupang. It currently costs IDR 500,000, is valid for 30 days and can be extended once. Indonesia's e-VOA can also be bought online before travel.
Rules differ by nationality, so it is worth checking before you go. Citizens of the ten ASEAN countries, including Singapore and Malaysia, can enter Indonesia visa-free for up to 30 days, as can a handful of other nationalities. All international arrivals must also complete the All Indonesia Arrival Card (AIAC) online before landing.
Accommodation
Accommodation is split between 15 Overwater Villas and five adults-only Ridge Villas. We stayed in an Overwater Villa. These are spacious, two-level homes of around 90 square metres, inspired by traditional Malay houses, with a living room, a king bedroom, a children's loft and a large private balcony with a double chaise longue facing the sea. Much of the furniture is handcrafted from wood reclaimed from old boats. Each villa sleeps up to five, making them ideal for families.
It is worth checking which villa you book if air conditioning matters to you. Ours was air-conditioned, but not all are. Signature Overwater Villas have an air-conditioned main bedroom, with the loft and living area cooled by ceiling fans and the sea breeze. Standard Overwater Villas rely entirely on fans and the breeze. Signature villas and Ridge Villas also have a mini fridge, and every villa has a filtered water dispenser.
For couples, the five Ridge Villas sit on the hilltop overlooking the sea, each with an air-conditioned master bedroom facing the ocean, a private plunge pool and an outdoor lounge where breakfast is served. They are beautiful, but be warned: the path up to them is quite steep. This is a place to disconnect. There is no Wi-Fi in the villas; Wi-Fi via Starlink is available only in select public areas, and speeds can be slow. We quickly stopped missing it.
Facilities and Activities
The heart of the island is the ocean-front infinity pool, and we happily spent whole days beside it, reading and listening to the waves. There is also a poolside bar for coffee and drinks.
For more active days, Telunas is now all-inclusive for its scheduled activities. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and jetty fishing are complimentary, along with island hikes, village tours, bonfires and cultural workshops. Private Island guests can also join scheduled activities at Telunas Beach Resort across the water, which is where we tried our hand at pottery. The only extras are massages, the fishing boat trip and a few special dining experiences, such as a candlelight dinner and a klepon cooking class.
Telunas is a nature-focused island rather than a snorkelling destination. Its natural rhythms are part of the magic, though. The island has its own turtle hatchery, and guests have joined the team on the beach to watch hatchlings make their way to the sea. The most recent release happened about a month before our visit, so sadly I just missed it. Telunas is also very family friendly. The Kampung Kids Club keeps younger guests busy, children aged four and under stay free, and the Overwater Villas' lofts give families plenty of space.
Dining
All meals are served at the island's restaurant and are covered by a required daily meal plan, currently IDR 1,240,000 per adult and IDR 560,000 per child per day. Under the direction of the executive chef, the plated three-course menus blend Indonesian and Western cooking, and the kitchen meets halal requirements. The food was a highlight: fresh, nourishing and full of flavour. There is a choice of main course at each meal, and the team asks about any changes you need, from dietary requirements to how big you would like your portions.
Wellness
Telunas is a retreat in the truest sense: fresh air, nourishing food, sea views and very little to do except slow down. The spa makes the most of the setting. Treatments take place in an overwater massage hut, with the sound of the tide below as the soundtrack. It was an amazing experience, and a must-book during any stay. The resort also works hard to protect its environment. The island generates power through solar energy, and plastic water bottles have been replaced with refill stations. Through the Telunas Foundation, the team supports education and development in the surrounding island communities.
Overview
What makes Telunas truly special, though, is its people. The staff are extremely lovely, caring and attentive, and they make every guest feel like part of the family. From the moment we were met at Sekupang to our final boat ride back, everything was handled with genuine warmth.
Telunas Private Island is not about glitz. It is about overwater villas, star-filled skies, nourishing food and a team who care, all just a couple of hours from Singapore. For anyone in need of a proper reset, it is hard to beat.
For bookings, please visit https://slh.com/hotels/telunas-private-island. Rates start from USD 614 per night with minimum two nights on a B&B basis.
Disclaimer: The writer was invited by Telunas Private Island, a Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, to experience the property. All observations, assessments, and opinions expressed are based on the writer’s independent experience and professional judgement.
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