Luxury resorts are increasingly looking beyond spa treatments and infinity pools to give travellers something many now value more: a genuine connection to the places they visit. That’s the thinking behind a series of new experiences launched by The Residence Bintan, which aims to take guests off the resort grounds and into the heart of island life.
Located less than two hours from Singapore, the resort has introduced a range of cultural and sustainability-focused activities designed to offer a closer look at Bintan beyond its beaches.
Among the new additions is the Tanjung Pinang Walking Tour, which explores the island capital’s multicultural heritage, local architecture and everyday life. There’s also the Kijang Morning Market Tour, where guests can see one of Bintan’s busiest markets in action, meet local traders, sample traditional snacks and get a taste of the island’s coffee culture.
The move reflects a growing demand for travel experiences that feel more connected to local communities. Rather than keeping visitors within the confines of a resort, these programmes encourage them to engage with the people, traditions and routines that shape daily life on the island.
Environmental initiatives also play a key role in the guest experience. Visitors can join guided marine walks during low tide or tour the resort’s Earth Basket farm, where they learn about regenerative farming and composting before using freshly harvested ingredients in a cooking class.
Beyond guest activities, the resort is expanding its conservation efforts with local partners. A recent forest restoration project led to the planting of 250 native trees, with ongoing monitoring carried out in collaboration with a local university.
Guests will soon be able to take part in tree-planting activities themselves, while the resort is also developing a new native tree nursery in partnership with Bintan’s forestry department to support future reforestation projects across the island.
Families have not been left out of the programme. The resort’s enhanced children’s activities combine environmental education with cultural experiences, from recycled craft workshops and nature-inspired projects to baking classes using ingredients grown on-site and traditional local games.
These initiatives sit under the wider Cenizaro Cares programme, which supports a range of community and environmental projects across Bintan. Current efforts include helping to revitalise a local maritime museum, supporting mangrove clean-up projects in Kawal and establishing a food forest at a primary school in Kijang.
As travellers increasingly seek experiences that go beyond sightseeing, The Residence Bintan is betting that a deeper understanding of local culture and community will become just as important as the destination itself.
