Let’s start by saying this is not one of those reviews where we attempt to ‘bury the lede’’. Suffice to say, The Sanchaya is one of the best hotels we've ever stayed in. Best is a bit vague, so let me explain.
Our VIP Emerald Class ferry ride, only one hour from Singapore, made The Sanchaya easily accessible. Immigration, baggage and pick-up were handled by the hotel, leaving us to relax before the short transfer to the estate.
Our theory on the grandiosity of the driveway approaching the hotel was proven to be right: the longer and more impressive, the better the hotel. In this case it was a winding driveway sided by fish-filled pools, with manicured grass and tropical trees swaying in the breeze. It felt established. It felt like it had been here for some time. Always a good start. At the entrance, Greg, the property manager, and his team were waiting to personally greet us.
With introductions complete, we were swiftly escorted into The Dining Room, the main restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The estate also has the poolside Tasanee Grill for Thai food, The Bar for afternoon tea and cocktails, The Decanter for private dining and wine tastings, plus 24-hour in-villa dining.
Our first encounter was lunch. We opted for Nasi Goreng and were blown away by its smoky, spicy, umami flavour. We noticed the menus have a strong regional emphasis, with Indonesian and Thai food alongside European dishes. Familiar classics include nasi goreng, rendang, pad Thai and green curry, alongside seafood, steak and pasta. There were dozens of dishes across the menus, easily enough to keep things interesting.
The Dining Room itself was elegant, with hardwood throughout and ceiling fans moving cool air around the room. There was no pumping music, no clattering of trolleys. It was hushed, but not uncomfortably so. From our table we could see the cabanas on the sand and, beyond that, the open sea. Immediately, we just kind of sank into this slow, methodical, soothing pace that they were setting.
That feeling continued at the spectacular 50-metre infinity pool, where large loungers and umbrellas were laid out with generous spacing, so you never felt on top of anyone else. Staff brought wicker baskets containing flags you could raise for service, sun cream, aftersun, insect repellent and water. Rarely have we been somewhere that provided such a comprehensive set-up.
And there was no pulsating music. It was calm, serene almost, punctuated only by tropical birds. Even the residents seemed to participate in the stillness, with hushed conversations rather than rowdy pool games. It felt like a very grown-up, refined resort.
Our accommodation was equally relaxing. We stayed in a villa separate from the main house, with its own living area, bedroom and bathroom. There were two verandas: one for sunbathing and another with a sofa and table where we enjoyed morning coffee and the occasional sundowner. Close the door and all you could hear was chirping tropical birds and the gentle whirring of the ceiling fans.
Inside, traditional dark-wood furnishings, personalised writing pads and a soft king-size bed kept things elegant without becoming fussy. The bathroom had a large bath, shower and separate toilet. Another thoughtful touch was the mini-bar, replenished daily with snacks and drinks.
And the pool was literally a one-minute walk from our villa. One minute.
The rest of the estate continued in much the same vein. A personal favourite was the unlimited cocktail hour from five to six on The Bar’s veranda, the perfect opportunity to watch the sun go down. There was also a plush library full of books and leather sofas that wouldn’t feel out of place in a BBC period drama.
We spent most days by the pool because we simply didn’t feel any urgency to go anywhere else. More active guests had the gym, yoga, padel, cycling, archery, croquet, pétanque, stand-up paddleboarding and BloKart sailing.
Evenings were no less elegant. After cocktails we would invariably head back to the restaurant, where switching menus meant we never grew bored. We stayed for four days and could happily have stayed longer. A nice touch was the chef coming out on several occasions to ask how we were enjoying the food. We must make special mention of the servers. Yohan looked after us on several evenings and was exceptional: quiet, demure and attentive without ever being overwhelming. Maria was only too happy to skilfully cut open our salt-crusted fish at the table.
These small details mattered. Even the ground staff looking after the gardens were incredibly friendly. It wasn’t forced friendliness; it felt genuine and innate, born out of the island spirit.
Much of the atmosphere is also down to Greg. A native Australian, he is quintessentially laid-back and unflappable. Nothing seemed like any trouble. His experience just oozes out of him, and the team he has built shares that same commitment.
And that brings me to another important point. We have stayed at lots of luxury resorts, but increasingly find places becoming more crowded. This never felt crowded. The beach was almost empty on occasion, the roads weren’t busy and natural jungle sits literally beyond the hotel. If you want somewhere that feels truly unspoilt, this is where you need to be.
In short, this is the kind of place you come to when you really want to switch off. It has just enough to keep you occupied for days on end, without becoming overwhelming. It is a great place to restore after a hard period of work: quiet, calm, great service and a genuinely warm welcome. And given the seamless ferry service and proximity to Singapore, it’s a no-brainer for anyone passing through.
