There’s just something about arriving in a new place. Feelings of anticipation, curiosity and excitement all meld together to create a feeling that simply can’t be described.

I’d call it the travel equivalent of getting the warm fuzzies, but that really does sound a little silly!

I get these feelings any time I arrive in a new place, but I feel them even more intensely when I arrive somewhere extra special, somewhere like Cempedak Private Island.

Set on a gorgeous island in Bintan, Indonesia, Cempedak Private Island is the kind of place that you come if you want to relax, rejuvenate and recharge. There is no hustle and bustle here, just slow-paced, unhurried and barefoot luxury.

I arrived to the island around lunchtime. After checking in and being given a quick rundown regarding how life on the island operated, it was time to settle into what would be my home for the next few nights – one of the absolutely stunning seaview villas.

Now, when I say stunning, I really bloody mean it. I have stayed in some pretty phenomenal villas in my little travelling life, but this is very easily one of my all time favourites.

The level of attention to detail that went into the design and construction of these villas is astounding. Most of the structure is made from bamboo, and they have been situated in such a way as to perfectly catch all of the ocean breezes, rendering air-conditioning totally unnecessary – which is no mean feat in tropical Indonesia!

The size of the villas is also impressive. There are clearly no shortages of space on the island, which has allowed each villa to be utterly enormous.

Each of the villas blends seamlessly into its tropical island environment, and within them, modern technologies are blended into their surroundings as well. This bluetooth speaker was easily one of my favourite touches – had it not been pointed out to me, I probably would have never even noticed that it was a speaker!

The ground level houses a bathroom, wardrobe and lounge, whilst the (seriously pretty) stairs lead to the master bedroom and main ensuite.

Much like the rest of the villa, the master bedroom is spacious, bright, open and perfectly airy. The mosquito net keeps you bite free overnight, whilst the super thick doona will keep you warm and snuggly. I had initially scoffed at the sight of this doona – this was Indonesia after all – but I actually ended up being very grateful for its presence.

In the bathrooms you will find the utterly glorious Cempedak bath products. My personal favourite? The heavenly lemongrass body lotion and insect repellent. It certainly made for a nice change from all the DEET heavy products that I’d been using!

It is worth noting though, I found the mosquitoes at Cempedak to be far less gnarly than in other parts of Bintan. As it turned out, the population of these pesky blighters is kept under control in a natural and chemical free way! Bowls of water are left in various breeding hotspots around the island, and when the mozzies lay their eggs in these moist pots of water, the eggs are removed and destroyed.

Now let’s head back to the master bedroom! As it turns out, the elevation of the bedroom isn’t just for ventilation – it also provides you with the absolute best views in the house!

Seriously, how goddamn gorgeous is this pool?!

So, what were my first impressions of Cempedak?

Well, it is undeniably well designed, eco friendly in a number of ways that I had never encountered before, utterly gorgeous and the perfect place to take Droney Boi out for a spin (or seven)… I couldn’t wait to see what the rest of my stay would bring.

THE  LOWDOWN

Getting to Cempedak: From Singapore, take the 90 minute ferry from Tanah Merah to Bintan. From Bintan, Cempedak is just an hours drive and 20 minute boat transfer away!
Cempedak Private Island: A stay here starts at $475 SGD per night during low occupancy which is any time other than the weekend! Click here to learn more
Camera: Images captured with an Olympus OM-D E-M1 in conjunction with M.Zuiko 7-14mm f/2.8 and M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 lenses and a DJI Mavic Pro drone
Remember: Don’t try and stick to a diet during your island getaway at Cempedak!

Disclaimer: I stayed with Cempedak Private Island on a complimentary basis, however, this post was not commissioned or sponsored and all thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest, unbiased and in no way influenced by the Cempedak brand, their management or affiliates.