Primed to be the ultimate island hideaway in Southeast Asia, Bawah Island is set to open in the summer of 2017.
A collection of five pristine islands among three crystal-clear lagoons, Bawah Island is located just two hours from Singapore. The stunning untouched Anambas archipelago in Indonesia offers an unsurpassed, authentic island hideaway experience, accessible via ferry from Singapore to Batam, followed by a private seaplane to Bawah.
Nestled amid more than 120 hectares of beautiful natural landscape surrounded by 13 beaches, Bawah will feature 35 eco-designed villas. Allowing a maximum of 70 guests on the island at any one time, the villas will encompass 21 Beach Villas offering sea views; 11 Water Villas with stunning dusk to dawn vistas; and three Garden Villas enveloped in lush greenery.
Each villa will feature a bedroom, spacious bathroom and a relaxing living area with incredible views across the lagoon. Attention to detail is prevalent throughout, with indigenous resources like driftwood reinvented to create unique finishes. All tented villas and public areas are made of sustainable materials like bamboo and recycled teak, while the bath and shower features are created with recycled copper.
The guest areas at Bawah Island will include a treetop ‘Club House’ with a viewing balcony, a yoga pavilion, a beach-fronted infinity pool and a spa offering luxurious pampering treatments that incorporate local techniques and exclusive products. For those wanting to explore, Bawah will offer an array of experiences harmonious with nature including snorkelling in pristine waters and hiking through its primary forest, which has never been cut or burnt, with trees as high as 80 metres.
At Bawah, no heavy machinery is allowed on the island so every mechanical process – from recycling stones to breaking boulders for building material – has to be done by hand. Areas that were not vital for construction have been fenced and protected.
The Bawah team protects the island’s array of flora and fauna, as well as its abundance of butterflies and birds, through a firm stance against pesticides. Bawah is an official marine conservation area in which fishing, anchoring and collection of any marine life is forbidden. As a result, fish and corals flourish. Precautions have also been put in place to deter fishermen from fishing inside the lagoon: Bawah supports those who fish responsibly, by purchasing fish from the local fishermen for their team of workers.
Working with renowned architect Sim Boon Yang (founder partner and director of eco.id), alongside GM Tom Blachere, Bawah’s design will focus on striking the perfect balance between its commitment to its environment and providing a luxurious experience. Bawah aims to create a harmonious flow between nature and modernity, while upholding its strong and sustainable approach towards the resort and its natural surroundings.
The forthcoming launch follows a recent announcement at the Asia Clean Energy Summit 2016 that Bawah will host a new pilot scheme with REIDS (Renewable Energy Integration Demonstrator). REIDS aims to see 90% of Indonesia’s off-grid population provided with renewable energy through new ‘micro-grids’ that will integrate renewable energy sources. These micro-grids will eventually power hundreds and thousands of islands in the Southeast Asia region, without having to connect to a main power source. Bawah will lead the way in being the first island to be powered by this new renewable energy technology.