editorial

Words by Alison Marshall January 16, 2025
Rooted in sustainable principles, this 17-hectare private island in Indonesia&#8217;s Bintan Regency redefines luxury with eco-conscious innovation and natural serenity.
<figure id="attachment_141516" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-141516" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-141516 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Seaview-Villa.jpg" alt="The Seaview villas all have magnificent sea views of the surrounding deserted islands and over 150sqm of floor space." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Seaview-Villa.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Seaview-Villa-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Seaview-Villa-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Seaview-Villa-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-141516" class="wp-caption-text">Seaview villas at Cempedak Island enjoy magnificent views across the South China Sea.</figcaption></figure>
There&#8217;s lots to love about <a href="https://cempedak.com/?destinasian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cempedak</a>, the tiny private island that sits just off Singapore in Indonesian waters. Even after several visits, its allure never fails to enchant. From the genuinely friendly staff to the ultimate luxury of peace amid the tropical greenery of an island resort literally created from rock.
But this is no ordinary resort, years in the planning, sustainability has been at the core of its foundation. Built with local materials, labor, and services, the island is operated by a continuously innovating team to ensure it is as self-sufficient as possible. A member of <a href="https://www.thelongrun.org/?destinasian">The Long Run</a>: a global network for sustainable tourism, Cempedak actively demonstrates innovative approaches to sustainable business and practical examples of sustainability in action.
Crusoe luxe is the barefoot luxury vibe here, on a 17-hectare private island that is a haven for adults (no children under 15 allowed). TV and retail free, relaxation here is guaranteed for even the most jaded traveler, from the moment you alight at the jetty to a sunset massage at the <a href="https://cempedak.com/experiences/spa/?destinasian">beachside spa</a>, overlooking the ocean.
Opened in 2017, Cempedak builds on the success of its sister island: <a href="https://nikoi.com/?destinasian">Nikoi</a>, a favorite with families worldwide. <a href="https://cempedak.com/our-villas-2/our-villas/?destinasian">Villas</a> are ventilated naturally, and the master bedrooms are raised three meters off the ground with impressive vaulted ceilings. At night, under your mosquito net, the only sounds are the murmurations of the sleeping jungle and the soft hum of the fan.
<figure id="attachment_141517" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-141517" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-141517 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Coffee-bar-by-night.jpg" alt="The daily menus in the dining room changes according to the seasonal availability of ingredients from local markets. " width="1200" height="800" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-141517" class="wp-caption-text">The daily menus in the dining room change according to the availability of ingredients at local markets.</figcaption></figure>
Many of the staff have been here for years, transferring from Nikoi and often joined on the payroll by family members, which says something about how these islands are run.
Staff are also instrumental in helping establish and support the island&#8217;s sustainability efforts. Three local foundations working on pressing environmental issues have been founded and funded by the owners. The main focus is <a href="https://cempedak.com/sustainability/the-island-foundation/?destinasian">The Island Foundation</a>, set up to provide learning opportunities for local communities. Cempedak&#8217;s owners have also helped to initiate operations in Bintan for Seven Clean Seas, an organization which works to remove plastic from coastal areas, and established Yayasan Ecology to assist in conserving the local area.
In building the resort, <a href="https://cempedak.com/sustainability/our-commitment/?destinasian">responsible tourism</a> has been the bedrock to ensure that the environment is not only protected as far as possible, but restored too. The clam-shell-shaped villas built from bamboo are one of the first sights that greet you as you arrive, some nudging the sandy beach, others perched on the hill amidst the trees, softly swaying in a light breeze, or moved by the gentle landing of a resident hornbill.
<figure id="attachment_141530" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-141530" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-141530 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Cempedak-1.jpg" alt="An important task in protecting the environment is to educate both Cempedak’s guests and the local population." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Cempedak-1.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Cempedak-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Cempedak-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Cempedak-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-141530" class="wp-caption-text">The Island Foundation helps to educate both Cempedak’s guests and the local community.</figcaption></figure>
A small permaculture garden on the island is supplemented by a seven-hectare <a href="https://cempedak.com/our-farm/?destinasian">farm</a> in nearby Bintan, which provides poultry and eggs to both Cempedak and Nikoi. Vegetables, fruit, and herbs grow here in abundance. What can&#8217;t be grown is sourced from local markets and small traders as much as possible.
Impossible to oversell, the lure of <a href="https://cempedak.com/?destinasian">Cempedak’s</a> mystical way of dissipating urban stress the moment you step onto the jetty ensures your first visit won’t be the last.
<figure id="attachment_141519" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-141519" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-141519" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Cempedak-Body.jpg" alt="Aerial View of Cempedak Island." width="1200" height="800" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-141519" class="wp-caption-text">An aerial view of Cempedak Island.</figcaption></figure>
For more information, visit <a href="https://cempedak.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cempedak.com</a>

Cempedak: the Island of Tranquility