Arumdalu Private Resort

Arumdalu describes itself as Belitung's first eco-luxury resort, and its location in Padang Kandis, in the quiet Membalong district on the south-west coast, is a big part of the appeal. The resort is around an hour from Tanjung Pandan, deliberately far from the busy north-coast beaches, and guests often find the long white beach behind the villas entirely empty.

Accommodation is in stone-and-timber bungalows, each with a private dip pool. Rooms are elegant and calm, though air conditioning is minimal and there is no TV, which suits the back-to-nature philosophy. Dining is at the Sahang Beachfront Café and Resto, which follows a farm-to-table approach and is praised for creative cooking, albeit at resort prices; non-staying visitors pay a minimum spend for lunch or dinner. The resort also hosts weddings, wellness and craft activities and corporate retreats.

Stays are sold as packages that include airport pick-up, either with breakfast only or with three meals a day, which makes sense given the remote setting. Reviewers say rates are high but justified for privacy and service. Reserve through the website or WhatsApp.