Drawing inspiration from ten Southeast Asian countries in its design, The Sanchaya is a boutique heritage resort situated in Indonesia’s picturesque Bintan Island. Healthy holiday seekers will be delighted to hear that The Sanchaya Spa is one of the highlights of the resort, boasting indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, all-natural products, volcanic stone massages, and a range of holistic treatments. We spoke to The Sanchaya‘s Estate Manager, Magnus Olovson on his background in hospitality, The Sanchaya as a wellness destination, and the wellness initiatives to look forward to as a guest.
You have over two decades of experience in luxury hospitality. Could you tell us about your life before The Sanchaya? I had my first taste of true luxury hospitality over 20 years ago, working as Director of Food & Beverage for famed Hôtel Negresco in Nice, France. My first General Manager role eight years later was for Peter Island Resort in the BVI, also now a Preferred Legend property. I then lived an incredible experience with the opening of Gordon Campbell Gray’s Le Gray in Beirut, before becoming a partner in Heritage Suites, a luxurious Relais & Châteaux in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
How do you reboot after a hectic week? I spend time with my wife and our two-year old daughter. We eat Asian and Western food, enjoy a good Italian Primitivo, plus I read a lot of historical fiction and non-fiction.
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Can you tell us about The Sanchaya as a healthy holiday destination? The Sanchaya is the most indulgent and luxurious private estate located within an hour or two of Singapore, where care, privacy and space (30 keys over 10 hectares) are the keywords. Our intimate spa is a haven of wellbeing, with extremely capable therapists, and our Spa Director doubles as an experienced yoga instructor. Our dining and even our snacks reflect an ambition to care for yourself—if you so desire.
How has The Sanchaya recovered from the pandemic and what precautions has it taken to ensure guests can travel with confidence? Like many others, we are still recovering and the road ahead is long, no doubt. We have taken plenty of time to assess which are and will be the capital priorities for our guests and to step by little step to review our hygiene and cleaning protocols. We will also look at industry colleagues to cherry-pick the best practices.
So, for example, all guests will enjoy the safety of our private lounge at the Bintan ferry terminal and be chauffeured only by private transfers wherever they go, there will be appropriate PPE for all staff, and housekeeping will be done by one agent only. There will be a distance between loungers by the Olympic pool or on the private beach with a minimum of three meters. Diners will enjoy very spacious settings. With only 30 keys well spread over 10 hectares, we really have the space for privacy and safety.
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What was the incentive behind opening The Sanchaya? The Russian tradition of the dacha inspired our Owner Natalya Pavchinskaya, a Singapore-based entrepreneur, to build The Sanchaya as a heaven of colonial architecture, bringing us back to the refined salon life of the late 18th and 19th centuries. The immediate proximity to Singapore (50 minutes by fast ferry) is highlighted by the black and white themes.
What sets this resort and the retreats you offer apart from the rest? The degree of privacy, the very personal high-end quality of the service provided, and the extreme attention to details.
How do you overcome one specific obstacle that you encounter daily? I bring the team together and patiently piece by piece iron it out.
What is an interesting routine that you do daily that sets you up for success? Maybe my two morning walks, before and after our morning meeting. These allow me to spend a few moments with most guests while at breakfast and to do small (or big!) talk with many of my colleagues (we are over 200) daily.
What are some of the wellness offerings at The Sanchaya? There are two key treatments. The Holistic Massage combines elements of gentle and sedative massage strokes to re-harmonize both mind and body, using your choice of chakra oils.
The Samadra by Sodashi Ultimate Age-Defying Facial uses a sequence of timeless, anti-ageing techniques rooted in Ayurvedic traditions designed to reawaken the skin’s natural healing energy. Turn back the hands of time and transform your skin with this intensely hydrating and nourishing treatment to increase firmness and elasticity, diminish the appearance of fine lines and restore a youthful glow. A rose Quartz crystal facial massage enables the powerful Samadara Ultimate Age-Defying crème to penetrate deeply into the skin for maximum benefit.
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What can guests expect when booking and arriving at The Sanchaya (i.e.activities, service, wellness etc.)? Guests can expect plenty of open spaces to allow for real privacy, beautiful scenery and landscaping, and plenty of private outdoor activities to choose from. You may start the day with a gentle class of Hatha Yoga with our master Yogi Sajeesh—it encompasses both Asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breathing techniques) to build flexibility, inner awareness and complete relaxation. Our bikes are available for your leisure and the 7.2km (4.5 miles) gorgeous and literally deserted track around the lake just outside the Estate is a must-try.
Should you prefer to take some time to discover the Island then we propose a private excursion to the historical sites followed by fishing or snorkeling, in a safety wise optimized environment.
About The Sanchaya
The Sanchaya is just an hour from Singapore yet feels a world away. With unrivalled style, tropical glamour and world-class service, the exclusive beachfront estate features 29 villas and suites plus a stunning private residence with spectacular views of the ocean. The Sanchaya is also home to two restaurants for its residing guests’ use, 24-hour in-villa dining, a bar, wine cellar, library, boardroom, 50-meter long infinity pool, intimate spa, gymnasium, beachside yoga pavilion, croquet lawn, herbs and vegetable garden and much more. Opened in December 2014, the estate has won numerous awards including a coveted spot in the Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards “Top Resorts in Asia” category in both 2017 and 2018.
The Sanchaya’s artisans will assist you with personalised itineraries—contact reservations@thesanchaya.com to make your booking.
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