BEYOND THE BYLINE: 48 Hours in the Bintan Desert! A DFW Editor’s Escape

The life of a fashion editor in Singapore is a relentless cycle of back-to-back shows, 10:00 PM deadlines, and the neon hum of the city. By the time Friday afternoon rolls around, the craving for “white space”, both in my calendar and my surroundings, becomes a physical necessity.

Enter The ANMON Resort Bintan.

Earlier this month, I traded my loafers for slides and headed to the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. The goal? A 3D2N “desert glamping” retreat to see if Bintan’s most aesthetic destination could truly reset a high-speed digital mind.

Day 1: The Transition to Tranquility

The journey from Singapore is deceptively simple. A 60-minute ferry ride from Tanah Merah to Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) is just enough time to clear my inbox and watch the Marina Bay skyline fade into a horizon of deep tropical green.

Upon arrival at the BBT terminal, the ANMON shuttle was waiting. Within five minutes, I was pulling up to the resort’s sand-colored gates. The check-in was seamless, no heavy mahogany desks or stiff formalities here. I was greeted with a cold infusion and a digital concierge link via WhatsApp. In the world of DFW, we value efficiency, and ANMON delivers it with a bohemian smile.

My “tent” a 45 m2 teepee, was a masterclass in desert-chic. Think bleached wood, high-spec air conditioning, and a skylight positioned perfectly above the bed for late-night stargazing.

The Afternoon Reset: By 4:00 PM, I was at The Compass Rose for afternoon tea. Watching the light hit the cacti while sipping on a local ginger-honey brew was the exact moment I felt the city-stress finally evaporate.

The Night Shift: The evening took a culinary turn with a private tent-side BBQ. There is something undeniably luxury about having a chef-curated grill set up right at your doorstep. Under the Bintan night sky, with the smoke of the grill and the glow of the teepee, it felt less like a resort and more like a private oasis.

Day 2: Saltwater, Shakers, and Silk Sky

Saturday was dedicated to the Crystal Lagoon at Treasure Bay. As the largest man-made saltwater lagoon in Asia, the turquoise water is startlingly clear.

• The Morning Swim: I spent two hours drifting in the lagoon, a massive 6.3-hectare expanse. For an editor used to four walls and a screen, the scale of the water and sky was a sensory reboot.
• The Afternoon Craft: By 3:00 PM, I traded the water for a shaker at the TIPI Bar. The resort’s Cocktail Class is a must. Under the guidance of their lead mixologist, I learned the art of a desert-inspired infusion, balancing smoky mezcal with tropical citrus. It’s the kind of craft I can appreciate: precise, creative, and rewarding.

Day 3: The Slow Return

Waking up to the soft light filtering through the skylight, I realized I hadn’t checked my watch once in 48 hours. After a final breakfast at The Compass Rose (the Nasi Lemak is non-negotiable), it was time for the short buggy ride back to the terminal.

The ferry ride back to Singapore felt shorter, perhaps because I was returning with a different energy.

The DFW Verdict

The ANMON Resort Bintan isn’t just about the “glam” in glamping. For the busy professional, it offers a rare opportunity to engage in “Digital Detox Architecture.” The resort is designed for movement, from the lagoon to the teepee, while maintaining the high-spec comforts a modern traveler requires.

If you’re looking to escape the Singapore grind without the hassle of a long-haul flight, ANMON is the 2026 destination of choice. It’s chic, it’s soulful, and it’s the ultimate palate cleanser for the busy mind.

DFW Editor’s Tip: Book a weekday stay for a more secluded experience, and don’t forget to pack your best linen, the white teepees are the ultimate backdrop for a high-fashion resort moment.

Comments, questions, feedback or collaboration? Email us at collab@digitalfashionweek.com