started out being apprehensive due to the negative reviews at this forum. However, that melted away gradually as I found the staff to be really friendly and helpful. They are far more organised than the staff at various resorts we have stayed over at Batam.
Arrived at 8 am and were greeted by the staff at the ferry terminal. Managed to check in to 1 of the chalets despite being there so early in the morning.

We were given a nice corner garden chalet just outside the spa. The room is spacious and clean. Wish the TV was bigger though. Bathtub's handle had come off but that's a small issue. My kids managed to check into the chalet next door shortlf after even though they told us it would only be available at 2pm.

Overall we enjoyed our stay but feel that food over at Bintan is exorbitant! A plate of mee goreng at the foodcourt costs S$8!! Will consider returning but the cost of food is a negative factor.

This place is great to visit if you are in Singapore for a while. If you want a nice beach holiday and have been able to stand staying at a caravan park for a week or so then give this place a try. It is good value for money, the staff are really friendly, you can walk to the other a joining properties and use the faculties for free as they are from the same company. The huts are basic but that is part of the charm. The kids love visiting Bintan, the water is crystal clear and so warm you could swim all day and not get cold. We have been 3 times and will be visiting again in 2012. We have dragged very one we know and they all love it. However, we warn them that it is not a 5 star hotel before they get there. There is air conditioning in all huts which I don't need but my husband is a air conditioning junkie. For people with young children it is great as the water is so calm at this end of the island. Last time we visited we had a beach front hut. My husband sat and watch the days roll by from the balcony very happy.

I used to stay at Mayang Sari (as it was formerly known before being taken over by Nirwan Gardens) several times a year around 1999. I returned again in 2007 and found that nothing had changed much, only my expectations had soared over time. There are several huts along the beach and also behind the others. It is cetainly worthwhile to pay a little extra and get a hut directly at the beach overlooking the sea - in that way you have the impression that you have a balcony and a small portion of beach for you alone... with several hammocks tied in between the palm trees. However there is no pool, so if there happens to be pollution (sometimes tar), then you cannot go for a swim. I therefore recommend asking the hotel before your visit if there are currently any tar issues along the beach.
The quality of food has decreased since 2007 and I find that there is too much fast food offered.
What I love about Mayang Sari is that it is a private hideaway and a perfect destination to wind down a little, but is not overly expensive. Bring a book, lots of time to relax, lower your expectations a little and you will have a nice time.

Not sure if i want to go into the faults since it is well documented by other reviewers. what they said was indeed true as it was more like rustic beach hut with some semblance of a resort trappings through the restaurant and facilities.

I paid SGD160 per night for a sea facing chalet as i booked early online ( and I would suggest people do that rather than take the rack rates at the last minute). With that kind of price, it is more in line with the quality expected in a 3 star hotel and you won't be disappointed by your experience there. Main thing is not to pay too much for this and your expectations are not sky high.

The positives:
- 20metres from the sea - what more can you ask. that kind of proximity to the sea in bali, phuket or equivalent would be starting from USD1000

- There is an army of people every morning to clean the beach (have to temper this by saying that it is close to shipping lanes, so don't expect white pristine beaches of maldives)

- integrated resort concept meant that with the shuttle, you had access to all other hotels, beachs, facilities, etc. not quite club med standard of number of activities but still decent with all terrain vehicle driving, archery, shooting, elephant park, riding, etc. lots to do for the kids

- unlike what other reviewers said, i found the pricing to be decent. yes, you spent in Singapore dollars but compared to other resorts like bali, lombok, phuket, where it is in USD, things are comparatively much cheaper or equivalent. The food quality is decent for the money (not great but decent). the activities are much cheaper - eg. ATV driving is one of the cheapest i have seen so far and i paid SGD8 for 25 rounds of bullets for shooting - cheap!

- mayang sari may be jaded but it appeals to a different set of people. if you are looking for a beach escape, with no sounds other than the sea crashing onto the beach 20m away, this is for you. if you want the kiddie slides for the screaming kids in the pool and lots of iguanas in a compound, try the main resort.

frankly for 160 dollars a night and i get a retreat from my usual city life, i could not ask for more. the only "tempered" negative i had from the trip was the fact that i could not really partake in any sea sports in the 3 nights i was there. the wind and waves were too strong. besides that, there was black tar on the beach which was a dampener on my beach activities.

other than that, i had a great time with the kids. good to get them away from the sheltered comforts of TVs, noise, neon lights and get back to nature!