In a previous issue of NOW! Jakarta, we described the Sheraton Belitung Resort as ‘The Future Definition of Exclusive Luxury’ because it is on a quiet, verdant island with little traffic, is surrounded by crystal clear seas, fresh air and has virtually no pollution, even from noise! And honestly, there are very few places we can find this – especially only a 45 minute plane ride from Jakarta.
Sheraton Belitung Resort is located on the north coast of Belitung in the midst of a 300-hectare forest which has no commercial activity whatsoever disturbing it, only a colony of stingless bees providing nutritious honey to the resort. From the spotless beach, you can see the local fishing village and all the fishing boats just a few kilometres away, which is where your fresh fish, comes from on a daily basis. This is a place where ‘detoxing’ doesn’t mean punishment, it means just ingesting fresh air and the freshest of foods.
(And by the way, the water for your shower and bath is freshly collected rainwater from the resort’s own reservoir, purified and filtered to give your skin an extra tingle.)
But let’s go back to food which is something we love to do, at least three times a day! The resort’s ‘Island Restaurant’ is the main venue for your breakfast and dinner for sure, (you will probably have lunch beachside, poolside or even better on a boat or a tiny island!) and the menu, while simple, will be exactly what you need. Grilled Squid And Prawns, Seafood Lemongrass Soup, Charcoal Grilled ‘Catch Of The Day , Crabs and even Local Lobster.
I know if I am staying on an island resort that this is what I want to eat every day! And to accompany the food, while others may like a selection of juices, cocktails and beers – all of which are available – for me the best is cold white wine with my fresh fish: Banrock Station Chardonnay, Mantra Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Trapiche Vineyards Pinot Grigio. That finishes the perfect meal.
Wait, I suppose, it being a holiday we can finish with cheesecake, caramel brownies or panna cotta and do two extra laps of the pool the next day!
Of course, there are other menu items: Salads, burgers, steaks & chicken plus pizzas and a whole kid’s menu to keep all the family happy, and a good selection of Indonesian favourites: nasi goreng, mie goreng and so on. No one is going to go hungry!
While I’m on it, Sheraton has a great reputation for breakfast buffets, and Belitung is no exception. All the items you desire are available, but they taste better because you are looking directly at the sea, and across it for tiny islands waiting to greet you later in the day. But for the moment, order another cappuccino with a warm chocolate croissant and relax!
But for the moment, order another cappuccino with a warm chocolate croissant and relax!
Now before I leave you reaching for your phone to book your next holiday there, I have to tell you that the middle and end of the day are as good as the beginning. Above are four pictures to say it all:
Lunch on the beach….relaxed…cool. The island view at breakfast. The island’s iconic boulders Sunset cocktails. Convinced?
Sheraton Belitung Resort
Jalan Pantai Penarikan Dusun Timur Jaya, Tanjung Binga, Sijuk, Belitung, Indonesia 3314
+62 719 8000999
sheratonbelitung.com
