BARELY FIVE MONTHS since we first visited Bintan Lagoon Resort (BLR) in Indonesia, we got word from its management about the launch of its Fiesta restaurant, the latest addition to the culinary scene on the scenic island of Bintan.

And it isn’t your usual restaurant.

Moe Ibrahim, BLR’s President Director, said, “We set out to create something more than just another buffet restaurant. We wanted to celebrate food and so we have included a full entertainment lineup at Fiesta throughout the day.”

“Each buffet counter is equipped with a live cooking station. Food is cooked fresh, in front of our customers,” he added.

BLR is a multi-award-winning, 470-room, fully integrated beach, golf, and spa resort, the largest of its kind on this side of the Southeast Asian country. It’s a destination of choice for those escaping the busy city life, being just an hour’s ferry ride from Singapore.

The last time we were in Bintan, Fiesta was still under renovation, so we don’t have a first-hand experience of the food and service here — one more reason for us to return to this well-loved resort. Given its reputation, though, BLR is known for its food, great service, and fantastic location and amenities. Lucky are those visiting Bintan anytime soon. The massive food complex, which can accommodate 650 guests, is open from 6:30am until 11pm daily.

Fiesta is perched on a hill overlooking BLR’s signature lagoon pool, one of our favorite spots in the 300-hectare resort. Beyond the food, patrons can also take in unobstructed views of the majestic South China Sea from inside the restaurant. After the buffet, you can simply make the two-minute walk down to the beach.

Designed by the award-winning, Singapore-headquartered iwa Design, “It’s the kind of restaurant where you can spend hours with friends and family and feel totally at ease,” says Benjamin Lim, iwa Design’s Managing Director. “While modern, the design blends beautifully with the natural setting. We let in the light, opened up the panoramic views and applied a pallet of soft colors,” Lim said.

Since BLR draws guests of many nationalities, its management made sure Fiesta offers a varied cuisine to match its international clientele. It has Western and Asian corners, with the Asian corner serving Japanese and Korean fare, and Indonesian cuisine on hand as well so guests can also taste the local flavors.

Beyond that, Fiesta also houses several micro-themed restaurants within it. Little India serves Indian food; Mangia lets you build your own pizza and pasta; and Chop Chop, Bintan’s Chinatown, lets you try Chinese street food. There’s also a corner meant for kids, though adults love it just as much.

Complementing the cuisine is an equally varied lineup of entertainment. Live bands play every lunch and dinner, while “comedians, magicians, cultural dancers and a bevy of other acts will ensure each and every visit to Fiesta is memorable. After all, Fiesta doesn’t just serve food, it serves Good Mood Food,” the resort said in a statement received by TravelMore — reason enough for us to book our next trip to Singapore and Indonesia.

What else is there to do in Bintan? The resort offers over 50 land and sea activities for guests. Check this post out to know more about it. For those traveling to unwind, relax, and play golf, BLR has two 18-hole golf courses. Expect top-notch service too, as BLR has a private international ferry terminal and two helipads that let guests arrive directly at the resort by ferry or helicopter. Your choice.

Feel free to share your Bintan Lagoon Resort experience with us in the comments.