You know the song "I left my heart in San Francisco"? Well, I'm planning to produce a cover of it and call it "I left my heart at The Sanchaya".

About the Sanchaya - it's a luxury resort located on the island of Bintan, Indonesia and only a short 45 minute ferry ride from Singapore.

Sanchaya's exceptional service starts right at the ferry terminal where upon arrival you are greeted by the the hotel's staff and taken to an exclusive VIP Lounge. While you are served a refreshing drink, your bags are collected and the immigration work is taken care of. You'll feel at total ease while you wait for the ferry to take you to the island of Bintan.

When we arrived at the property - we were floored by the 19th century colonial design mixed with avant-garde luxury elements. Throughout the property you'll find the owner's personal art collection featuring pieces from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia and Laos. If you're at all interested in design or the arts, the Sanchaya is a dream destination. 

In the main building, there is an all day dining restaurant which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The second restaurant, the Tasanee Grill, is open for dinner and serves Thai street-food inspired cuisine. Both restaurant menus have a wide selection of dishes featuring international food options as well as refined local Southeast Asian options.

The Sanchaya also has a wine cellar and offeres an extensive wine list. Their passionate sommelier is there to help you make the best choice.. and oh my, they are so many!

Our favorite part of the hotel had to be the gigantic infinity pool which overlooked a large swath of white sand beach and blue ocean water. The tall palm trees surrounding the area created a true island atmosphere - we loved how they swayed with the island breeze!

On the shallow ledge of the pool there are half submerged daybeds that you can lay in if you can't decide if you want to be in or out of the water. The helpful staff magically place a wicker basket full of still/sparkling water, sunscreen, snacks, and tower the moment you sit down.

When you're done with the pool - the white sand beach beckons with tall palm trees and beautiful cabanas. 

The Sanchaya sits on a large estate but they only offer 33 luxury rooms and villas - split across several categories. The intimate size of the property means that the staff all know your name, leading to spectacular personal service you can't get at large properties.

A nice bonus is that all of the bath products are from Aesop, one of our favorite brands! There is also a beauty bag available for purchase with premium products by the owner's own signature S’ya skincare line.

The Sanchaya is by far one of the most elegant resorts we've visited! The attention to detail that went into every aspect of the property was exceptional. We highly recommend The Sanchaya as a memorable destination where you can relax, recharge and nourish your senses. You can learn more and check availability HERE.