Nikoi Island (Indonesia)
Nikoi is a 16.9-hectare (42-acre) resort island located 8 kilometres (5 mi) off the east coast of Bintan, Indonesia, approximately 85 kilometres (53 mi) southeast of Singapore.[1][2] The island was purchased by Andrew and Julia Dixon, an Australian couple visiting Bintan, in 2005 and developed, with the aid of a group of financiers, into a boutique resort named Nikoi Island.[3][4] The resort opened in 2007, and as of 2010 consists of fifteen beach houses.[5]
The island has a maximum height of thirty metres, and consists of white sand beaches studded with white granite boulders, with coral reef off-shore. Two thirds of the island is Banyan forest, home to various bird species, while turtles are said to nest on the island's beaches.[6]
The resort is marketed as an eco-resort, with the use of driftwood as a construction material and alang alang roofing, a double-layered roof design so that rooms do not require air conditioning, and solar panels for heating water.[7] Diesel generators are required for water pumping and refrigeration.[5] As part of the operators' commitment to sustainable tourism, a non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting the community was established in 2009.[8] The resort was a runner-up in Wild Asia's 2009 Responsible Tourism Awards (Mid-size to Small Accommodation Operators category)[9]
The resort is accessed by launch from Kawal, a small town on Bintan, one hour's drive from the Bintan Resorts ferry terminal.[10]
References
- ^ [1]
- ^ Peters, Ed (2007-06-16). "Barefoot Luxury in Indonesia". Time. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ Lam, Sophie (2009-05-30). "Island idyll in Indonesia". The Independent. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ "About the Island Foundation". Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ a b http://www.nikoi.com/about.html
- ^ Leong Siok Hui (2009-05-23). "Green luxury". The Star Online.
- ^ "Behind the scenes". The Star Online. 2009-05-23. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Highlights of Responsible Tourism Awards 2009". Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ [3]
